About Phenology (Nature Watch) Phenology is the study of the relationship between the weather and the behaviour of living organisms, specifically the seasonal timing of natural cycle events such as bird migration, plant budding and flowering and hibernation activity. For example, Bullfinches may depend on some local trees producing buds, say in March, for their young. If the weather has been too cold for the buds to form, there will be no food for the Bullfinches' young. The young die of starvation - and two weeks later the buds arrive! The synchronization of the cycle of the seasons with living things has evolved over many years. When it is interrupted or offset, it can have a catastrophic affect on the plants and animals. Nature Watch keeps an eye on this relationship; by entering your data you contribute to its understanding. To build up a better awareness of climate changes , many countries now have a nature watch . Here in Ireland its www.biology.ie These surveys have potential as good indicators of climate change / global warming / species extinction and much more . It also helps the individual to take a greater intrest in nature eg looking out for the first bud burst this year and comparing it to the next years . So get out there and join your local Nature Watch . Gardening is fun , get the kids involved 8) Bugs
I like this sort of record keeping. I have been keeping my own here in West Texas. One summer, we did not see even one insect!!! I think maybe a cold snap in last spring might have killed them off before they could lay eggs. Sometimes we can go from 85 degrees to 30. One May, we had 115 degrees. I kid you not.
