Category: Factual & Arts TV
Date: 30.05.2005
Printable version
150,000 sightings by the British public show that spring is coming earlier
Ìý
Spring is arriving weeks earlier than 30 years ago according to the Springwatch survey, the largest survey of its kind in the world - carried out by the British public.
Ìý
Nearly 150,000 first sightings of the signs of spring have been sent in to the 91Èȱ¬ and the Woodland Trust, the UK's leading woodland conservation charity.
Ìý
The overwhelming response from the British public has created the most detailed picture yet of spring's arrival.
Ìý
Bill Oddie says: "At a time when our changing climate is making things more unpredictable, our wildlife needs our constant support. Fortunately, every one of us can do something to help them.
Ìý
"The Springwatch survey has shown just how important it is for us to get out there in large numbers to gather accurate information on what's happening in nature at this crucial time of year.
Ìý
"And by creating wildlife havens in our own gardens we can make a little breathing space for them... not to mention us too!"
Ìý
The full results of the survey will be revealed in Springwatch with Bill Oddie, a new three-week live event on 91Èȱ¬ TWO, starting today (Monday 30 May).
Ìý
The Springwatch survey asked people to look out for the first signs of spring by going online at bbc.co.uk/springwatch or filling in postcards and recording their first sighting of six key species: 7-spot ladybirds, bumblebees, frogspawn, peacock butterflies, swifts, and hawthorn blossom.
Ìý
All are familiar sights at springtime, and can be easily identified and found throughout the UK.
Ìý
Jill Attenborough of the Woodland Trust says: "We have known for some time that spring was getting earlier but this result across such a huge number of volunteers really makes it clear.
Ìý
"We mustn't allow ourselves to become complacent and let the change that is occurring slip past unnoticed.
Ìý
"This sort of shift in so few years is incredibly fast - soon nature may not be able to keep up."
Ìý
For many of us, this spring might have seemed cold and miserable in parts but compared to the last few years this year has actually been a lot warmer than springs as little as a generation ago.
Ìý
The average temperature for January to April has been over 1ºc above the 30 year average across the UK and this has had a knock-on effect on wildlife such as butterflies.
Ìý
The survey revealed that the first record of peacock butterflies was on Boxing Day and, on average, the peacock butterfly is appearing over two weeks earlier than 30 years ago.
Ìý
"There are signs that nature is already getting confused by the warm, erratic springs," explains Jill Attenborough.
Ìý
"We've had early sightings of bumblebees in people's gardens because they are no longer hibernating throughout the winter.
Ìý
"There had been 14,000 recordings of bumblebees before Valentine's Day and one particular species of bee - Bombus terrestris - has been spotted by Springwatchers producing an extra generation during the winter.
Ìý
"The bees are surviving partly thanks to a warmer winter but also because of exotic winter flowers planted in people's gardens.
Ìý
"We have also received reports of frog spawn appearing so early that it has frozen in the cold snaps at the beginning of the season.
Ìý
"This sort of breakdown in nature's timing is one of the big worries we have about climate change."
Ìý
The results of the Springwatch survey will be used by the UK Phenology Network to monitor and evaluate changes in nature's events.
Ìý
The public's support and involvement was vital to the success of the survey, and will continue into the future.
Ìý
91Èȱ¬ viewers can find out more about the threats facing British wildlife when Bill Oddie, Kate Humble and Simon King return for the biggest wildlife event of the year, 91Èȱ¬ TWO's Springwatch with Bill Oddie.
Ìý
Over three weeks, Bill, Kate and Simon will follow the daily life and death struggles of the nations favourite creatures from badgers to blue tits, swallows to fox cubs.
Ìý
Bill says: "We all love spring, but for our wild creatures it's a real gamble - will they manage to survive and raise a family? That's the thrill of following British wildlife live for three weeks."
Ìý
Bill and Kate will launch the 91Èȱ¬'s Breathing Space campaign, showing how everyone can make best use of their space and time to make their garden wildlife friendly.
Ìý
By visiting bbc.co.uk/springwatch viewers can gain ideas and inspiration or share their tips and advice with others, ensuring that Britain's nature friendly green spaces continue to increase.
Ìý
Notes to Editors
Ìý
For a full summary of the Springwatch results please visit: www.phenology.org.uk.
Ìý
91Èȱ¬ Autumnwatch survey
Ìý
After the fantastic response to Springwatch, the 91Èȱ¬ and the Woodland Trust have decided to continue their survey of the seasons and will be tracking the arrival of autumn across the UK later this year.
Ìý
The first three species to look out for are: ripe blackberries (from July to September); ripe hawthorn berries (from late August to September); and swifts leaving on their winter migration (August or September).
Ìý
The results will be shown on a special programme with Bill Oddie on 91Èȱ¬ TWO this autumn.
Ìý
Check out bbc.co.uk/breathingspace for more details.
Ìý
Phenology is the study of the timing of natural seasonal events, especially in relation to climate. The timing of natural events is sometimes known as Nature's calendar.
Ìý
The Woodland Trust has joined forces with the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology to monitor and evaluate changes in nature's events.
Ìý
The Centre for Ecology and Hydrology is a component body of the Natural Environment Research Council.
Ìý
Visit www.phenology.org.uk for more information on the UK Phenology Network.
Ìý
The Woodland Trust is the UK's leading woodland conservation charity. It has 300,000 members and supporters.
Ìý
The trust has four key aims: i) No further loss of ancient woodland; ii) Restoring and improving the biodiversity of woods; iii) Increasing new native woodland; iv) Increasing people's understanding and enjoyment of woodland.
Ìý
Established in 1972, the Woodland Trust now has more than 1,000 sites in its care covering approximately 20,000 hectares (50,000 acres). Access to its sites is free.
Ìý
Further news can be found at www.woodland-trust.org.uk.
