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| Thursday 12th June 2003 Climate Change Blamed For An Early Spring There's long been a debate as to whether climate change would make any discernible difference to our world as a whole and Britain in particular. Climate change has - according to the UK Phenology Network - already made its presence felt in the arrival of our new season's birds and Spring most certainly sprang early this year. THE EVIDENCE: Exhibit A: We heard earlier this week on the programme that there's been an early and large migration of Painted Lady butterflies. Global warming helps them thrive, Richard Fox from Butterfly Conservation told us. Exhibit B: The birds in the skies over Britain were definitely born earlier this year. So says the UK Phenology Network which monitors the key signs of Spring and Autumn within our flora and fauna (phenology: "the study of the times of recurring natural phenomena"). Interim results from the organisation indicates that fledglings from species such as Blackbirds, Blue Tits and Great Tits were conceived earlier. Even if they hatch onlya few days before they have in the past, interest groups believe it's an important development andwith climate change iscited as a major cause. In order to boost their data, the network is asking the public to look for signs of nesting and feeding ofthe young amongst common garden birds, such as Blackbirds and Blue Tits. Click here to be taken to the UK Phenology Network website if you'd like to learn more or become involved in the search for raw data onBritain's seasonal change. The BBC is not responsible for external websites |
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