Data shows low fruit yield after wet spring

The latest update from Nature’s Calendar, the Woodland Trust’s citizen science project, suggests that there have been knock-on effects of heavy rainfall earlier in the year.

The effects of a wet spring may be extending from bees and butterflies to birds, with data suggesting that fruits are scarcer than usual. After 2023’s bumper hawthorn berry crop, numbers have dropped significantly this year, and the hedgerows are looking much less inviting for hungry wildlife. 

According to Nature’s Calendar data, hawthorn berries have now hit their lowest numbers, as have elderberries, which are scoring just 2.8 on the fruit scale, comfortably below their annual average of 3.66. 

Other species such as ash, ivy and oak are also showing their lowest fruit scores since current records began, in 2001. 

Judith Garforth, Citizen Science Officer for Nature's Calendar said: “The low fruit yield comes after downpours earlier in the year, which may have damaged those early blooms, some of which may have opened early, coaxed out by the warm temperatures.  

"It has also been widely noted as a bad year for pollinators, which would also have been impacted by the rain, and which in turn could have contributed to the low fruit yield we’re now seeing.” 

Spring 2024 was notably warm and then wet, with the warmest recorded February since 1779 followed by the 6th wettest April on record since 1836. 

Many trees seem to have turned early this year, with the first changes in leaf colour (‘first tint’) in some native species showing ahead by up to 19 days. Autumn records are still ongoing, but indicate that species including silver birch, horse chestnut and rowan have reached ‘full tint’ up to two weeks earlier than average. 

Nature’s Calendar is a citizen science project that records changes in nature that indicate a changing of season. Recorders observe their local wildlife and note the date on which certain changes occur. The scheme is supported by players of People's Postcode Lottery. 

Laura Chow, Head of Charities at People's Postcode Lottery, said: “We’re delighted that our players continue to support the Nature’s Calendar citizen science project. Wherever you are in the country, it’s a beautiful time to get out for a walk in the woods, and enjoy the spectacular displays of colour.”