2 weeks Ago
The effects of a wet spring may be extending to bees, butterflies and birds, with data suggesting that fruits are scarcer than usual. The latest update from Nature's Calendar, the Woodland Trust 's citizen science project, suggests heavy rainfall earlier in the year may have caused a significant decrease in fruit yield. After a "bumper crop" of hawthorn berries in 2023, numbers have dropped substantially this year, leaving the hedgerows less inviting for wildlife.
The data reveals that hawthorn berries are well below their annual average of 3.66 on the fruit scale, while elderberries score just 2.8, both hitting their lowest numbers.
Other species such as ash, ivy, and oak are also showing their lowest fruit scores since records began in 2001. Judith Garforth, citizen science officer for Nature 's Calendar, said: "The low fruit yield comes after downpours earlier in the year, which may have damaged those early blooms, some of which may have opened early, coaxed out by the warm temperatures. "It’s also been widely noted as a bad year for pollinators, which would also have been impacted by the rain, and which in turn could have contributed to the low fruit yield we’re now seeing.
" Spring 2024 was notably warm and then wet, with the warmest recorded February since 1779 followed by the sixth wettest April on record since 1836. Many trees seem to have turned early this year, with the first changes in leaf colour in some native species appearing up to 19 days ahead of schedule. Autumn records are still being collated but indicate that species including silver birch, horse chestnut, and rowan have reached ‘full tint’ up to two weeks earlier than average.
Nature’s Calendar is a citizen science project that records changes in nature that indicate a change of season. Recorders observe their local wildlife and note the date on which certain changes occur. Laura Chow, head of charities at People's Postcode Lottery, said: "We’re delighted that our players continue to support the Nature’s Calendar citizen science project.
"Wherever you are in the country, it’s a beautiful time to get out for a walk in the woods, and enjoy the spectacular displays of colour.".
