Nature's Calendar Blog

• Track and record autumn with Nature's Calendar

  By Lorienne Whittle, 07/10/2019

  Be inspired to record nature this autumn. Learn how you can help contribute to this biological database, which is increasingly being used to understand the impact of climate change on our wildlife.

  Watch our recent video to find out more about Nature's Calendar and tracking the signs of autumn.

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• A year in the life of a tree

  By Judith Garforth, 03/10/2019

  The Woodland Trust has decided to follow and document a year in the life of a single tree and we'd like you to do the same. We're monitoring the Grantham Oak, a beautiful tree more than 400 years old, that many of us pass on our way to work. The leaves have just started to tint this week and it won’t be long before we'll notice ripe acorns falling to the floor. We're recording the dates of all the seasonal changes that happen to this tree for the Nature's Calendar project. Look out for photos throughout the year which we'll share in this blog, and on our social media channels. Why don't you monitor your favourite tree this year too?

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• Are you watching out for Autumn?

  By Lorienne Whittle, 26/09/2019

  Is nature in time with our autumn calendars? Whilst the meteorological and astronomical definitions of autumn have now passed, we take a look at your records to see how autumn is revealing itself in trees and shrubs across the country.

   

  Autumn is known as the forgotten season in phenology, with fewer records of key events compared to spring. So we know less about how the timing of events in autumn are changing. To fill in these knowledge gaps we’re especially keen get your autumn records, so take a look at  Nature’s Calendar for some seasonal inspiration.

   

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• When to pick blackberries: it’s time to crumble!

  By Lorienne Whittle, 09/08/2019

  Have you picked your first blackberry of the year yet? Maybe even had enough for a crumble? We take a look at the records over the last 10 years to see whether your autumn crumble may become a summer dish. Your photos are included in this monthly roundup of Nature’s Calendar news.

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• What reminds you of summer?

  By Lorienne Whittle, 15/07/2019

  June’s cold and wet weather meant less people out and about recording nature, but every cloud has a silver lining. The downpours created some unique wildlife spotting opportunities.

   

  Taking a look back over your observations from June, many quintessential summer shrubs such as elder and dog rose were recorded as first flowering throughout the month. We’re also thinking about the future. What else can you look for this coming summer?  

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