No denying that climate change more noticeable
Earlier sightings of the signs of spring - from the first leaves on trees to early butterflies - could be the new norm as the climate changes, conservationists said.
The Woodland Trust runs the Nature's Calendar citizen science scheme, which gathers sightings of the signs of the seasons from the public.
It says reports of leafing on trees and certain butterflies have come early this year, and there is a general trend of earlier springs.
One of the first trees to come into leaf is the elder tree and for the last five years, records of first leafing collected by members of the public have been earlier than the 20-year average by four to 16 days, the charity said.
This year, which is confirmed to have been the warmest February on record for England and Wales, seems to be following suit, according to the Woodland Trust.
Dr Judith Garforth, citizen science officer at the Woodland Trust, recorded elder first leaf on February 20 in North Yorkshire and said spring is spreading north rapidly.
"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.
"Overall though, the general trend is continuing with spring arriving earlier and becoming something like the new norm.
"Our data provides the clearest evidence of a changing climate affecting wildlife."
The conservation charity warns that earlier springs can mean wildlife food chains become "mismatched", such as early oak leafing leading to an earlier peak in moth caterpillars, which may affect the breeding success of blue tits that feed their young on them.
Dr Garforth warned: "Change has happened very quickly which is why the best option to help wildlife would be to slow it down- by reducing CO2 emissions and by planting more trees."
“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