early spring

Signs of early spring related to climate change are popping up all over the world. Some quick research shows the US sites mostly still in the organizational and planning stages. This post in the UK guardian has some actual data to back up the hypothesis.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/mar/19/wildlife.weather

Despite its stops and starts and the recent wild and extreme weather, all the signs point to

this being one of the earliest springs Britain has had.....

Spring 2008 so far

Hazel flower Dec 9 2007, Isle of Wight - flowering usually spans January-March

Snowdrops Nov 2007, Somerset - traditionally out for Feb 2

Frogspawn Dec 24 2007, Penzance - typically end of Feb-Mar

Nest-building rooks Dec 20 2007, south-west England - usually nest between Feb-Mar

Seven-spot ladybirds Jan 1, Staffordshire - not usually seen until Mar

Tadpoles Jan 24, Devon - typically emerge towards the end of Mar

Nesting blue tits Mid Jan, Sutton Coldfield - usually Mar-May

Newts Mid Jan, Cheshire to Somerset - typically move back to ponds in Feb-Mar