The Woodland Trust warns of hungry winter
Fears for wild birds have been raised after a major study revealed a low fruit yield this autumn caused by the very wet spring.
The research came from Nature’s Calendar, the Woodland Trust’s citizen science project. The heavy rainfall earlier in the year affected bees and butterflies, leading to less pollinated fruits. Not only will this impact birds such as blackbirds, redwings, thrushes and dunnocks, it will affect small mammals foraging. After 2023’s bumper hawthorn berry crop, numbers have dropped significantly this year. Our hedgerows are looking much less inviting for hungry wildlife.
According to Nature’s Calendar data, hawthorn berries have now hit their lowest numbers. So have elderberries, which are scoring just 2.8 on the fruit scale, comfortably below their annual average of 3.66. Other species such as ash, ivy and oak are showing their lowest fruit scores since current 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. These 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. This in turn could have contributed to the low fruit yield we’re now seeing.”
Fears for wild birds – Unpredictable weather
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 (‘first tint’) in some native species showing ahead by up to 19 days. Autumn records are still ongoing, 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 changing of season. Recorders observe their local wildlife and note the date on which certain changes occur. The scheme is supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
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.”
For more information visit www.woodlandtrust.org.uk. Read more about how to attract robins to your garden.
