Join the Signs of Spring Survey

The Royal Society of Biology and Field Studies Council have an open invitation to all people across the UK to participate in their Signs of Spring Survey. This initiative encourages everyone to observe and document the emergence of ten key signs of spring: bluebells, bumblebees, butterflies, daffodils, damselflies, dragonflies, frog spawn, hazel catkins, ladybirds, and snowdrops, as well as noticing the first cut of the lawn.

Your contribution is vital and you can add your sightings to their survey here: Signs of Spring (arcgis.com). By recording when and where you first encounter these signs of spring, as well as the weather conditions at the time you saw it, you play a vital role in documenting the changing seasons. The survey will remain open for submissions until 17th June 2024.

To participate, simply visit the Signs of Spring Survey page and complete the short questionnaire. Whether you're strolling through your local park or enjoying nature in your neighbourhood, keep an eye out for these signs and share your observations. Just make sure you always stay safe, remain aware of your surroundings, and dress appropriately for the weather.

Last year, the Field Studies Council collected data on just five of the categories mentioned above. By expanding the scope of categories and gathering additional information on timing and weather conditions for each sighting, they hope to monitor shifts in the signs of spring over time and gain better insights into the potential impacts of climate change.

You can explore the results of observations recorded using the survey through the map and chart available here: https://www.rsb.org.uk/get-involved/biology-for-all/signs-of-spring-survey

Your contributions will help enrich our understanding of seasonal changes and contribute to ongoing scientific research. Together, let's celebrate the arrival of spring and contribute to our collective knowledge of the natural world.