Join the Signs of Spring Survey

Contribute to the Signs of Spring Survey by the Royal Society of Biology and Field Studies Council! Help track nature's awakening across the UK and understand climate impacts firsthand

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.

Author

Rebecca Ellerington

OED Manager, Society for Experimental Biology

Rebecca joined the SEB team in May 2020 and, despite not meeting anyone in person yet owing to COVID restrictions, she has immediately bonded with the other team members and is already making significant contributions to our outreach, education, and diversity work. “While I have a background in both bioscience research and outreach work, throughout my career the most exciting times have been when I’ve taken my passion for research and science and tried to communicate that to groups outside my field,” says Rebecca. “It’s great to see people who wouldn’t normally interact with science get excited about research. If I can use my new role to help other SEB members to do that too, I think it will be brilliant for research, for career development, and for personal enjoyment.”

One issue Rebecca feels very strongly about is increasing diversity in science and academia. “Diversity and equality is not only fair, but the unique perspectives and individual experiences each person brings to the table will help us solve the immense scientific challenges we are facing today. In this role, I hope to introduce initiatives to inspire the next generation, no matter their background, to pursue a career in bioscience, and help SEB members develop valuable career skills in the process by getting involved.”