CITIZEN scientists across West Somerset are being asked to keep a keen eye out for emerging signs of spring as the weather is forecast to warm up after the recent wintry cold snap.

Any early sightings of daffodils, snowdrops and other spring indicators can be logged as part of an annual ‘Signs of Spring’ survey.

The interactive survey was launched in 2023 by leading environmental education charity the Field Studies Council (FSC), which operates Nettlecombe Court outdoor education centre, near Williton, and the Royal Society of Biology (RSB).

People are asked to record when they first see 10 different indicators of warmer weather, including snowdrops, daffodils, bumblebees, ladybirds, dragonflies, and when they make the first cut of the lawn.

Last year, sightings of snowdrops topped the charts with 462 reports, while bumblebees were second with 299 records.

Altogether, nearly 2,000 sightings were recorded between January and mid-June, helping scientists to track seasonal changes and potential climate impacts.

The four weeks from February 16 to March 18 proved a springtime frenzy, as almost half of all observations were recorded during this time.

London and urban areas showed strong participation in last year’s survey, but data was also captured from many remote spots, including the northern Isles.

Nettlecombe Court biodiversity training programme leader Dan Asaw said: “The results from this survey give us a real critical overview of the UK’s springtime biodiversity, and we have been blown away by the response from the public over the last two years.

“The more data we collect, the more informed our research is, and we already know that citizen scientists have an important part to play in our work, seeking out the first annual sightings of plants and insects.

“Absolutely anybody can get involved, from schoolchildren to pensioners, and it is a great reason for more people to get outside and enjoy the natural world around them.

“Despite the recent snow and icy conditions, people have already started logging their sightings so we are already off to a really great start.”

RSB communications and public affairs director Susie Rabin said: “A great way to lift the spirits in the early months of the New Year is by getting outside to spot the first signs of spring, such as the first snowdrops, daffodils, or bumblebees.

“It can be really uplifting to take note of what you see, whether you are walking to your local shops, visiting your local park, or heading out further afield into the countryside.

“The data collected through the survey is invaluable for documenting the effects of climate change on the natural world around us year on year.”

Sightings can be logged through a ‘Signs of Spring’ online portal.

More information about the environmental work carried out by the Field Studies Council, as well as details of its wider range of residential and day field study courses can be found by visiting its website.

The annual Snowdrop Valley spectacle near Wheddon Cross, on Exmoor, starts on January 24 and runs until February 22.