Hedgerows in mid-February might have traditionally appeared white with snow; this year the white was the work of blackthorn blossoms – a harbinger of spring. Although a welcome sign after a wet and gloomy winter, the early flowering brings unease for experienced season watchers. Has this plant always flowered in mid-February, I wondered, or is something changing?

Fortunately, the science of recording and understanding seasonal events, phenology, has a long history in Britain. Robert Marsham, an 18th-century naturalist, kept records of the appearance of the flowers, birds and insects in his Norfolk village as far back as 1736. Marsham’s descendants continued the recording until 1958. The Woodland Trust maintains the tradition with Nature’s Calendar, a scheme in which members of the public are invited to record various seasonal events.

  • BigWheelPowerBrakeSlider@lemmy.world
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    4 months ago

    “Detailed analysis of almost half a million plant records by scientists in 2022 showed that when all species were considered together the average flowering time in the UK had advanced by a month over the last 40 years.”

    This is not a change of say a 1/2 day on average across 100 years. A full month over just 40 years is a huge change. I just can’t understand those who fully deny ANY global climate change is occurring. (And that’s distinguishing from those who agree it’s happening just that human activity has no effect.) The evidence is simply overwhelming at this point.