IT may seem a little early, but the Woodland Trust is calling on the public in Cheshire to help record the first signs of spring as part of the UK’s longest-running survey of the effects of the changing climate on native trees, plants and birds.
Sightings of snowdrops, elder budburst and hazel flowering have already been recorded but the charity needs more records to better understand seasonal changes.
Has the milder than usual weather towards the end of last year resulted in early signs of spring this year?
The mild conditions between January and March last year resulted in some exceptionally early sightings for spring events normally associated with these months. Therefore, it would be helpful to have a comparison for these Cheshire 2012 average date sightings: snowdrops in flower – January 25, hazel’s first flowering – January 31, and elder budburst – February 17.
A great place for spotting snowdrops is Dunham Massey in Cheshire, which is a National Trust wood. The Winter Garden is now in its fourth year, and offers a vast amount of interest from stunning white-barked silver birches, the limes and reds of dogwood, to the purples of winter berries – the latter sure to attract plenty of birdlife.
Dr Kate Lewthwaite from the Woodland Trust said: “Our native trees and plants are great indicators of wider change in the natural world and we would love more recorders to help prolong the dataset we have already compiled. We have already discovered a general trend for spring flowering starting earlier over recent decades and are keen to see what will happen this year.”
Anyone can record with Nature’s Calendar, which contains records dating back to the 17th century and records tens of thousands of seasonal events each year. Find out how to get involved at www.naturescalendar.org.uk
People can record anywhere, but to record in a wood, where many of the Nature’s Calendar events occur, search out the nearest or most interesting at www.VisitWoods.org.uk
IT may seem a little early, but the Woodland Trust is calling on the
public in Cheshire to help record the first signs of spring as part of
the UK's longest-running survey of the effects of the changing climate
on native trees, plants and birds.
Will spring be early this year?
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
