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| 'Spring is new summer' - report | 'Spring is new summer' - report |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Two events in nature that usually herald the beginning of summer have started already, say researchers looking into reports from the public. | Two events in nature that usually herald the beginning of summer have started already, say researchers looking into reports from the public. |
| The blossoming of hawthorn and return of migrating swifts - usually in May - have prompted the Woodland Trust to declare "spring is the new summer". | The blossoming of hawthorn and return of migrating swifts - usually in May - have prompted the Woodland Trust to declare "spring is the new summer". |
| The trust has been analysing reports from members of the public taking part in the BBC Springwatch survey. | The trust has been analysing reports from members of the public taking part in the BBC Springwatch survey. |
| It said it showed how climate change was affecting wildlife and seasons. | It said it showed how climate change was affecting wildlife and seasons. |
| The return of the swift from warmer countries, usually expected in mid May, could mean summer has come early, said environment correspondent Sarah Mukherjee. | The return of the swift from warmer countries, usually expected in mid May, could mean summer has come early, said environment correspondent Sarah Mukherjee. |
| Sightings of swifts have been reported across south-east England and Gloucestershire over the last few days. | |
| Swifts usually return from migration around 10 May when temperatures are slightly milder. | |
| 'Exceptionally mild' | 'Exceptionally mild' |
| The flowering of hawthorn, normally around the middle of next month, is considered to signify the start of summer. | |
| This year, the earliest flowering hawthorn was recorded on 9 April. | |
| Dr Kate Lewthwaite of the Woodland Trust said: "Thanks to the exceptionally mild start to the year we are experiencing, this summer signal is arriving three weeks earlier than the 11 May average." | Dr Kate Lewthwaite of the Woodland Trust said: "Thanks to the exceptionally mild start to the year we are experiencing, this summer signal is arriving three weeks earlier than the 11 May average." |
| Dr Lewthwaite added the timing of the seasons was changing, with the mild winter and warm spring contributing to warmer than average temperatures. | Dr Lewthwaite added the timing of the seasons was changing, with the mild winter and warm spring contributing to warmer than average temperatures. |
| "It is an example of how climate change is affecting our wildlife and seasons." | "It is an example of how climate change is affecting our wildlife and seasons." |
| Springwatch - a survey into the arrival of spring - asks members of the public to record the first sightings of the year of six species - frog spawn, seven-spot ladybird, red-tailed bumblebee, peacock butterfly, flowering hawthorn and swifts. | Springwatch - a survey into the arrival of spring - asks members of the public to record the first sightings of the year of six species - frog spawn, seven-spot ladybird, red-tailed bumblebee, peacock butterfly, flowering hawthorn and swifts. |
| Experts at the Woodland Trust said the sightings of hawthorn flowering were accurate and had been verified. | Experts at the Woodland Trust said the sightings of hawthorn flowering were accurate and had been verified. |
| You can send your pictures of unseasonal spring weather to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk Or text them to 07725 100 100 | You can send your pictures of unseasonal spring weather to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk Or text them to 07725 100 100 |
| Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video | Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video |