The first hints of spring appeared in Manchester yesterday on the first official day of Spring but according to the Woodland Trust, the season is getting earlier and earlier.
Records on Nature’s Calendar suggest that some common spring events could be as much as six weeks earlier than average this year, playing havoc with natural timings.
Following the third warmest winter since 1910 the Trust received some of the earliest records this century of flowering bluebells and blackthorn, with hawthorn trees also coming into leaf far earlier.
This time last year they has received just 22 bluebell sightings across the UK, but over 60 locations have already been recorded this year, from Dorchester to Doncaster.
The study has seen less of a response from wildlife with nesting bird data and ladybird sightings seeing no change compared to previous years, suggesting other factors determine their spring activity.
Dr Kate Lewthwaite, Woodland Trust citizen science manager, said:
“Records which trace spring’s arrival date back several centuries, but in the last 30 years we have seen a marked advance in the appearance of many spring signs. This year’s particularly mild weather seems to have had a significant effect.
“Records added by the public to Nature’s Calendar help us monitor these changes, but equally important is to protect and increase our wildlife habitats to help species adapt.”
Now the Trust are asking people to record bluebell sightings in the Big Bluebell Watch and families will be able to download a new augmented reality app for use on trails at 25 of their woods across the UK.
