By Aine O'Grady
IN the heart of Winter , it is hard to imagine that signs of Spring are already being reported.
Sightings of frog spawn and ladybirds in January illustrate the affects of global warming at a local level.
The Woodland Trust of Northern Ireland has predicted that such premature spring activity could cause some species of plants and animals to be wiped out.
Mild winter temperatures up until now has meant that animals are less likely to hibernate, and plants come to bloom earlier than normal, leaving them susceptible when cooler temperatures return.
Sharon Liszewki, who works in Garden Creations in Omagh, says the behaviour of wild life and plants as 'bizarre'. "Already I have heard song thrushes calling for a mate. This wouldn't usually happen until spring."
The intense heat felt last summer disturbed the blooming pattern of flowers at the centre.
Instead of blooming gradually, over a sustained period, plants began to bloom simultaneously, for short periods.
" We would prefer the slow bloom, with different plants coming out at different times, as this provides a succession of colour."
With another hot summer predicted this year, this slow bloom is unlikely.
A warden at National Trust site, the Argory, outside Dungannon, reported sightings of snow drops and daffodils, which usually appear in February.
The presence of squirrels was further evidence that animals were spending less time in hibernation.
The Glens development group is responsible for maintaining Cullion Community Woodland in Gortin.
Rick Cook, a member of the development group, says that activities in the forest illustrate the effects of climate change.
"Changes can be seen in the trees. They are flowering, and losing their leaves at different times of the year and this in turn has an effect on wildlife. We have red squirrels in the forest now, which is unusual."
The effects of the changing climate are also felt in the farming world.
Reggie Alcorn, chairman of the Mid-Tyrone Farmer's Union, says that the milder, wetter winters encourage diseases.
"Crisp frosts help keep diseases like mastitis at bay but as winters get warmer there is less resistance to these. Frost is effective at opening up the ground, aerating it, but this rarely happens now."
In light of this, the Woodland Trust is asking the public to record their first sightings of frogspawn, seven-spot ladybird, peacock butterfly, red-tailed bumblebee, swift and flowering hawthorn, which will allow them to monitor changes in nature's events.
To find out more about the survey go online at www.bbc.co.uk/springwatch.
