The birds and bees confused by ‘blurred’ seasons

THE four seasons merged into one in 2017 – confusing birds, bees and plants, according to scientists.

The mild start to winter and a damp summer were the talking points of the year’s weather, according to a review by the National Trust, and this ‘blurring’ of the seasons was a mixed blessing for wildlife.

Bumblebees appeared in January because of mild conditions, spring flowers bloomed early, and storms and warm seas brought the venomous Portuguese man o’ war, bluefin tuna and minke whales, more used to warmer climes, to British waters.

The trust said its plans to reverse declines in nature – including creating 62,000 acres of wildlife areas on its land by 2025 – were more urgent than ever in the face of changes to the climate.

And with year-round ‘thuggish vegetation’ growth becoming a trend as a result of mild winters and damp summers, experts warn they will have to find new ways of managing special habitats. The trust’s review revealed that a mild, dry start prompted many flowers to arrive early, including wild daffodils blooming in the Teign valley in Devon in February, and elder and dog rose, usually June blooms, flowering in April.

Balmy weather in May led to a good nesting season for birds, with little terns doing well at Blakeney Point in Norfolk, and spring insects also thriving. The elusive purple emperor butterfly made its earliest appearance in 120 years – at Bookham Common in Surrey on June 11.

Nature expert Matthew Oates said. ‘Certain species are good at adapting, which is great, whereas others are struggling – some of them badly.’

‘We need to give wildlife the space, time and where necessary, the support it needs, not only to survive, but to thrive.’ He added the year: ‘was a bit all over the place yet again. There’s this issue of the blurring of the seasons, through mild winters and damp summers.’