Thought it was a cold year? Our confused climate continues to warm up.
Six of the past eight springs have been well above average and despite the bitterly cold start to this year, it was still marginally warmer as long-term trends show that temperatures were higher than the 30-year average.
Nearly 100,000 observations made by our masses of recorders, including reports sent in direct from the field by mobile phone, have helped draw up a superb and detailed picture of how Nature’s Calendar has unfolded ahead of BBC2’s Springwatch with Bill Oddie.
And despite this year’s stop-start ‘cold’ spring being around 1.5C below 2005, it was still marginally warmer as long-term trends show temperatures were still higher than the 30-year average.
Among this year’s avalanche of recordings the British public noted:
• Temperatures compressed the spring and meant it blossomed at around the same time across the UK.
• The average peacock butterfly observation was eight days later than last year - but still a full week earlier than the 30-year average.
• Frog spawn was first spotted in December but many breeding frogs later faced sub-zero temperatures early in the new year.
• Frog spawn was first reported in the Orkneys in mid-March – about the same time as East Anglia, which is typically the last area of the UK it is seen in.
• Observations of seven-spot ladybirds got underway before Christmas, but quickly tailed off as freezing temperatures started to bite during January and February.
• Early observations of peacock butterflies near John O’Groats were reported in mid-March.
Springwatch presenter Bill Oddie says: “Every one of these observations helps draw up a picture of how our changing climate is affecting our wildlife. Springwatch 2006 will highlight how important it is for us to continue getting outdoors to gather accurate information on what’s been happening this year - and how vital it is we all help maintain little wildlife havens right in our own backyards.”
The full results will be revealed in Springwatch with Bill Oddie on BBC Two, from Monday, May 29.
The British public was asked to look out for the first signs of spring by going on-line at www.bbc.co.uk/springwatch, texting observations or by filling in postcards and recording their first sightings of frog spawn, seven-spot ladybird, peacock butterfly, red-tailed bumblebee, swift and flowering hawthorn. The Springwatch survey is run by the BBC in association with the Woodland Trust and the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, to assess how nature’s timing is responding to climate change.
Woodland Trust project manager Jill Attenborough said: “This year’s response has been absolutely fantastic and recorders’ observations have thrown up some very interesting findings. What it does confirm is how responsive species are to temperature. But even in an apparently stop-start cold spring like this year, some events are still beginning earlier highlighting just how confused nature is getting.”
This year’s spring may have felt like the coldest in a generation but it was still slightly warmer than the 1960–91, 30-year average Central England Temperature and the long-term trend highlights how the season is warming up reflecting the impact of climate change. Findings from this year’s survey will be analysed by the UK Phenology Network to monitor and evaluate changes in nature’s events.
During the first weekend in June there will be 15 Springwatch events at venues around the UK. They promise to be great days out for all the family. For more log on to www.bbc.co.uk/breathingplaces
