The climate crisis is having a profound impact on nature. It's urgent that we understand how wildlife is coping with shifting seasons, warmer temperatures and unpredictable weather patterns.
Climate change has already accelerated spring's arrival by an average of 8.4 days compared to the early 1900s. We asked people to help us record three of spring's vital signs – frogspawn, a singing song thrush and flowering blackthorn. Your records are crucial in helping us understand current threats and how climate change is affecting the health of nature.
We received thousands of recordings from across the UK. Our scientists are now busy analysing the data and preparing a report on what spring's vital signs can tell us about how nature is responding to climate change.
If you submitted a recording, you'll receive an email once the report is ready.
Didn't submit a recording? Don't worry, we'll update this page with details on where you can access the report.
If you have any submissions still to add, you can submit them below. Our scientists will review these periodically.
Recordings submitted after Monday 21 April will not be included in our spring report. However, we still encourage you to observe and record nature. Our scientists will continue reviewing data submitted after this date for ongoing research.
Look for frog mating activity in ponds, ditches or slow-moving streams. The small black eggs are encased in a clear jelly and laid in clusters.
Record the first clumps of frogspawn you see.
Find out more about frogspawn
Slightly smaller than a blackbird with a dark-spotted underside and pale brown wings and back. The song thrush was once a common sight in UK woodland but is sadly in decline. Its song is varied, so listen out for short, repeated phrases.
Record the first time you hear a song thrush.
Find out more about the song thrush
Audio: Andrew McCafferty / xeno-canto.org
Early to flower in spring, blackthorn trees have clouds of snow-white, almond-scented blossom which grows more fragrant on sunny days.
Record blackthorn's first flowering when the petals of the first flower are open sufficiently for you to see inside the flower.
Find out more about blackthorn
Too early
Just right
Too late
Trees are one of our best defences in the fight against climate change. They lock up carbon, cool cities, protect against flooding, clean air and provide essential habitats for wildlife.
Wildlife like birds, fungi and butterflies depend on woods and trees to feed, breed and thrive. Critically, 53% of our woodland wildlife species are in decline. We need woods and trees for these species to survive.
Woods and trees make people healthier and happier. Natural chemicals released by trees strengthen our immune, hormonal, circulatory and nervous systems when inhaled. Research shows that spending time in nature has been linked to a multitude of wellbeing benefits such as reduced stress, improved cognition, and milder symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Trees woods and wildlife
Along with improving our quality of life, woods and green spaces can help make us physically and mentally healthier.
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Flowers bring bursts of colour and wildlife reawakens, turning the woods into a hive of activity. Explore our top ideas for woodland visits in spring.
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