The first leaves on trees and butterfly sightings are likely to happen earlier in the year as the climate gets warmer, according to the Woodland Trust's citizen science scheme, Nature’s Calendar.
For example an oak leafing early could lead to an earlier peak in moth caterpillars which may affect the breeding success of blue tits that feed their young on them. Recent cooler weather, however, was said to have slowed the advance of spring in parts of the country, the National Trust ssaid. Dr Judith Garforth is a citizen science officer at the Woodland Trust, and recorded an elder first leaf on February 20 inDr Garforth said: “Whilst the sighting of an elder in leaf was a very welcome glimmer of spring after all the grim wet weather, it was much earlier than I’d expect, especially this far north.