Join the Big Bluebell Watch

Big Bluebell Watch bluebell fieldOne of the most stunning spring sights in Britain is woods filled with bluebells. Already now in March, if you take a walk in any of the ancient woodlands or parks, you can see their green shoots everywhere. Oh so soon these woods will be shimmering with violet blue flowers to make our hearts sing!Big Bluebell Watch bluebell shoots on path

My twins, Luce and Theo, are now keen on regular expeditions to the nearby woods since I told them about the Big Bluebell Watch by the Woodland Trust. We’re planning to put on the map where we’ve first seen bluebells as part of a UK-wide survey on the arrival of spring. I’ve learnt first-hand how much Luce and Theo observe nature around us by being part of a survey – such as the Big Garden Birdwatch. They are a fabulous way to make it fun for kids to be young naturalists.

Big Bluebell Watch bluebell shoots in denI’ve also started reminding my twins that they should neither pick or trample on bluebells. If we go off path – such as near their den in the woods – then we’ve made sure to follow animal tracks so that we don’t step on them. I’ve also told them 10 surprising facts about bluebells.

My daughter pointed out to me the first flowering bluebell on a recent walk. It’s tiny petals covered in dew were beginning to open. And then in another part of the woods we saw a few more lone bluebell flowers.Big Bluebell Watch first bluebellsBig Bluebell Watch ancient woodlandsBig Bluebell Watch opening bluebellBig Bluebell Watch bluebells 2016

Is it too soon I wondered? Tap, tap, tap my fingers went as I searched online. That’s when I found out I should join in and record our first sighting of bluebells. You can register with the Woodland Trust and record your first sightings as part of their ‘Spring Watch.’

This is where every one of us nature lovers can help. Over 50,000 people across UK have been filling out a nature calendar survey by the Woodland Trust to help record the first flowerings, the first tree leafing times, and even the first sightings of blackbirds feeding their young.

It’s called phenology.

Kew staff have been recording the first flowering dates of plants in the Gardens each year for over 50 years. This kind of study, called phenology, which links the timing of natural events, such as flowering, with the weather is very valuable in tracking the effects of climate change on plants and animals. The Kew results show that the dates on which the first bluebells open can vary by several weeks from year to year depending on the severity of the preceding winter.” Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

So we’ve already spotted a couple of bluebells in two different areas of the woods near us. But one bluebell here and there is not enough. Yet. As soon as we see clusters we’ll record it. It helps nature organisations analyse wether climate change or even a cold winter has affected when the first flowerings occur. The flowering dates for bluebells vary every year but usually occur sometime between mid-March and May.

Look for trend setting flowering not just one bluebell flowering abnormally early. This should be easy because many bluebells often grow closely together.” The Woodland Trust

You can find out about joining the Big Bluebell Watch here and recording your first sightings here.

Big Bluebell Watch bluebells under oaksSoon we’ll be mesmerised once again by the breath taking beauty of these small flowers spreading across British woods and fields. We just need to disregard any Spanish bluebells which have crept into the landscape and make sure it’s the true native Hyacinthoides non-scripta bluebell species which has a violet tint, creamy-white pollen, a sweet scent, and flowers hanging down on one side with curling back petal tips. Have you seen any flowering bluebells yet?

8 thoughts on “Join the Big Bluebell Watch”

  1. I am on tender-hooks waiting for the bluebells this year as I’ve planted native bluebells all along the fence line of my garden. I’ll defo be recording mine. Popped along from HDYGG, thank for sharing.

  2. I’d really like to do this. There is a woodland spot fairly close to home with thick carpets of bluebells at the right time of year – the first place I saw so many in one area. Good excuse to cycle over and record our findings.

  3. Lovely – we’ll be sure to document our first sightings. The bluebells in our own garden are out already – we’ll head to the woods to see if they are out this week. Such a nice time of the year – I’ve known them out on my birthday early in March before 🙂
    Thanks for joining in again Kriss, enjoy Easter x

  4. I really miss the bluebells having lived in the forest of Dean and then Malvern for a combined 16 years. I visited Malvern last spring and got to see the bluebells on the hills, will miss them this year as i’m not back in the uk till july

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Scroll to Top