By Jasper Copping
Britain’s strange spring weather has already broken records and more look set to follow. England and Wales experienced the lowest March and April rainfall since the 1930s, while last month was the warmest April since records began 100 years ago. This month is on course for similarly unprecedented average temperatures and forecasters predict more of the same for the summer.
Weathermen said the average temperature in central England so far this month was 55F (13C) - five degrees warmer than average and ranking it in the top six per cent of hottest Mays since records began in 1659.
April had just 24 per cent of the average rainfall for the month, making it the driest April for 80 years, while several areas of the country experienced the driest March for almost half a century.
While the prospect is alarming for the country’s farmers and gardeners, for many wildlife species it has offered great opportunities.
The imperilled butterfly was boosted by the cold conditions at the start of the year, which killed off fungi and parasites which can be a threat to their larvae, while early spring and dry conditions have meant an earlier life cycle, more active ays and as a result record numbers. Several other butterfly species have benefited from the same trends, particularly the orange tip and holly blue.
Sand lizards
A rare and protected species limited to areas in the south and north west, these have been observed laying eggs in early May – around three weeks earlier than usual and in common with all basking species – including adders and grass snakes – they are thriving in the warm weather, while their eggs should hatch earlier.
Dormice
The cold winter allowed the creatures to enjoy a deep hibernation before the warm start then encouraged them to wake earlier and continued mild conditions have provided a ready supply of blossom and bramble for them to feed off.
Field cricket
Having a “great” spring, according to experts, much of this insect’s life cycle occurs in April and May, and the perfect conditions for it means this has taken place unimpeded.
Oak processionary moth
Larvae hatched about 20 days earlier than normal, because of a warm April, into prime conditions with oak trees produce a lot of sugar in their leaves in the sunny weather. This means that the caterpillars that eat these leaves receive plenty of nourishment before becoming moths.
Downy emerald
An early start to spring has meant more time “on the wing”, giving good prospects for the year ahead and as it lays its larvae in deep ponds, it should escape the worst effects of drought.
Cockchafer
Also known as the may bug, as it is the month the adults first appear, this large flying beetle has been thriving in the warm weather as adults have more time to find a mate, with record numbers reported at some sites.
Brambles
The blackberry picking season could start as early in June, rather than in late August and September, as is normal because bramble flowers have emerged already, a month early, becaise of warm weather. Strawberries and cherries will also thrive unless drought is prolonged.
Harlequin ladybird
The alien species, originally from Asia and first seen here in 2004, is benefiting from the easy availability of aphids – which themselves are doing well this year because there is little rain to keep their numbers down and relatively windy conditions are helping to disperse them.
Dandelions
Long periods of sunshine and windy conditions have helped the wild flowers to a good start this year. As well as gardeners, this will also concern conservationists, who warn dandelions are destroying other wild flowers, such as orchids and harebells, by encroaching on their habitats and depriving them of nutrients.
Flea beetle
The rain and cold weather seen during a “normal” spring would usually keep their numbers down. But without these constraints, their numbers are soaring. Flea beetle is the general name given to a group of beetles which jump when disturbed, hence their name.
St Mark’s Fly
Adults usually emerge around St Mark’s Day, April 25, but they were seen a fortnight early this year and emerged into ideal conditions and have been extremely abundant. The large, hairy black fly is easily recognised by the males’ 'dancing’ up-and-down flight and long dangling legs hanging down.
Osprey
The birds but have arrived back at nest sites at the start of March, UK earlier than ever before, because warm winds blew them from Africa in a record time. This allows them to get on with breeding earlier than normal and gives them higher survival rates for their offspring. Other migrants, such as pied flycatchers, swallows, willow warblers, garden warblers, whitethroats and blackcaps, enjoyed similarly early returns.
Bluetits
These birds winter in the UK but seemed to emerge from the cold weather relatively unscathed. Because they rely on caterpillars, which are plentiful, they have not been affected by a reduction in worm numbers caused by drought.
Basking sharks
Warming seas and long periods of sunlight have triggered early plankton blooms which have attracted basking sharks to UK waters earlier than normal. The creatures first arrived off the Isles of Scilly but have now been reported off the north and south coasts of Cornwall, raising the prospect of a summer of increased sightings.
Tree bumblebee
First seen her ten years ago in the New Forest, it comes out early in the year and has benefited from ideal conditions. It likes nesting in holes in trees as well as bird boxes. It is distinguished from other bumblebees by its appearance – it has a brown thorax, black abdomen and white tail.
Common toads
Tadpoles have been seen earlier – and larger – than normal which should leave mean they will thrive this year. The fact that they are poisonous gives them a significant advantage over competitors because they are not eaten by fish.
Algae
Large blooms can be expected to clog up lakes, rivers, canals and even coastline this summer as the plant builds up in long periods of sunshine. Blanketweed will be a particular problem for gardeners who top up ponds with tap water, which is full of nutrients.
Ladybird spider
One of Britain’s rarest species, it is found only in Dorset heathland, but has been recorded a fortnight earlier than normal and enjoyed perfect warm and dry conditions throughout its emergence period.
Barbastelle bat
Dry conditions and subsequent abundance of insects have helped this rare and protected species of bat but their most critical period will come in June and July when they have their pups.
From The Telegraph: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/journalists/jasper-copping/
