Where have all the bluebells gone? Forest floor which should be carpeted with flowers is still bare thanks to record cold spell
Britain looked blooming marvellous as the sun came out to play today.
At last, flower growers got some joy as the UK's only hyacinths bulb fields burst into bloom in Cambridgeshire one month later than usual.
In the Vale of Evesham, in the Cotswolds, asparagus growers finally started getting ready for the British Asparagus Festival on St George’s Day.
They say the unseasonal cold spell up to now has reduced the current asparagus crop to only 10 per cent of normal for this time of year.
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The Festival at Bretforton, near
Evesham, on April 23 sees a day of celebration of the crop and the start
of the eight week season.
While temperatures weren't exactly Mediterranean, after a seemingly endless winter yesterday’s warm weather was a good start.
As predicted, it was the hottest day of the year so far with the thermometer peaking at 22C (72F) in Gravesend and Manston in Kent.
It is hoped the widespread temperature increase will jolt Mother Nature out of her unusually long hibernation.
Bluebells and some daffodils, which normally brighten the countryside and gardens with displays of colour, have yet to flower, while parks await the glorious burst of cherry blossom.
As for the bird population, there are fears that a lack of insects may have had terrible consequences for the tens of thousands of migrating birds that usually reach Britain by the start of April.
Some birds may have delayed their journey north, but ornithologists fear thousands of birds that rely on insects for food may have arrived and died.
The National Trust was expecting the
‘main pulse’ of migrating birds – including swallows and house martins –
to arrive over the weekend with the help of strong southerly winds.
But Grahame Madge of the RSPB said: ‘We’re actually not sure where they all are. Possibly many have already arrived and perished or they may be hanging around waiting for the right conditions.’
He added: ‘When they arrive they are exhausted. They have probably lost half their body weight and are right on the edge of survival.
‘If they arrive and there are no insects to feed on they are in big trouble. We could be looking at a bleak picture.’
Bluebells are one wonder of the British countryside that have yet to appear.
It is thought peak flowering could be delayed until mid-May this year. There are also fears that many daffodils may not flower at all.
However, experts suggest the late spring could be a sign of an increasingly rare hot summer.
Matthew Oates, a naturalist for the National Trust, said: ‘There is a really good link between late springs and very good summers, and we are due, overdue, a very good summer.’
A Met Office spokesman said: ‘Temperatures will drop a bit tomorrow but it will stay generally mild.’
Police said the A708 Moffat to Selkirk Road near Grey Mare's Tail was likely to be shut for some time.
The collapse is thought to have been the result of subsidence caused by heavy rain and melting snow.
At last, flower growers got some joy as the UK's only hyacinths bulb fields burst into bloom in Cambridgeshire one month later than usual.
In the Vale of Evesham, in the Cotswolds, asparagus growers finally started getting ready for the British Asparagus Festival on St George’s Day.
They say the unseasonal cold spell up to now has reduced the current asparagus crop to only 10 per cent of normal for this time of year.
Scroll down for video
Too soon: There's no bluebells yet at Dockey Wood, near Ashridge, Hertfordshire, this spring
In bloom: But in previous years Dockey Wood has been covered in a blue blanket
All smiles: Jake Pickersgill, three, and Hana Hadfield, three, from Blackpool, enjoy a day out in Stanley Park
Aaah: Jake and Hana playing in the sun in Stanley Park, Blackpool, Lancashire
English literature student Alice Heidemann
enjoys some sun at last on the beach in Aberdeen today with the north
east experiencing temperatures around 15C
In the Cambridgeshire countryside, the
world's largest collection of rare hyacinths is putting on a stunning
display of colour in a fragrance-filled two-acre field after Spring
finally sprung.
Grandfather Alan Shipp, 75, has been custodian of the UK's National Collection of Hyacinths since 1989 and now has more than 150,000 flowering bulbs.
'The hyacinths are a good four weeks later than usual due to the cold weather, but there has been no damage to the flowers,' said Mr Shipp.
'It's the next three months which are important now as the weather will affect the size of the bulbs.
'We need plenty of sun to put energy into the bulbs, but we don't want it to be too hot as it shortens the growing season.'
Shrewsbury and Skipton will reach 15C and 14C while Lerwick on the Shetland Islands will be the UK's coolest place reaching just 5C.
With the weather staying warm, London could reach 17C on Wednesday.
Grandfather Alan Shipp, 75, has been custodian of the UK's National Collection of Hyacinths since 1989 and now has more than 150,000 flowering bulbs.
'The hyacinths are a good four weeks later than usual due to the cold weather, but there has been no damage to the flowers,' said Mr Shipp.
'It's the next three months which are important now as the weather will affect the size of the bulbs.
'We need plenty of sun to put energy into the bulbs, but we don't want it to be too hot as it shortens the growing season.'
In the Cambridgeshire countryside, the world's
largest collection of rare hyacinths is putting on a stunning display of
colour. Pictured with them is eight-year-old Rosie Rickards
Alan Shipp in his field of hyacinths, which are finally beginning to burst into flower
Fun on the beach today despite slightly chilly temperatures at Southsea, Hampshire
Forecasters say Thetford in Norfolk is expected to be the hottest spot in the UK today reaching an almost summery 16C. Shrewsbury and Skipton will reach 15C and 14C while Lerwick on the Shetland Islands will be the UK's coolest place reaching just 5C.
With the weather staying warm, London could reach 17C on Wednesday.
Spring has sprung: A youngster enjoying the sunshine at Hadleigh Castle in Essex
Six-year-old Elise Armstrong played on the beach
in West Wittering, West Sussex as Britain bathed in sunshine for what
felt like the first time this year
As predicted, it was the hottest day of the year so far with the thermometer peaking at 22C (72F) in Gravesend and Manston in Kent.
It is hoped the widespread temperature increase will jolt Mother Nature out of her unusually long hibernation.
Bluebells and some daffodils, which normally brighten the countryside and gardens with displays of colour, have yet to flower, while parks await the glorious burst of cherry blossom.
As for the bird population, there are fears that a lack of insects may have had terrible consequences for the tens of thousands of migrating birds that usually reach Britain by the start of April.
Some birds may have delayed their journey north, but ornithologists fear thousands of birds that rely on insects for food may have arrived and died.
Finally: Members of the public soak up the sun on the beach in Brighton, Sussex
Picnic: Londoners were finally afforded some warm spring weather in 2013
Al fresco: Londoners enjoy a drink on the street in scenes unimaginable just weeks ago
Weather cycle: Many people in the capital took the opportunity to go for a ride on 'Boris Bikes'
Daffodils in London's Hyde Park were in full bloom yesterday as runners and cyclists made the most of the weather
Two-year-old Noah Seymour fed the swans in Hyde Park yesterday with a little help from his father
Student Jenni Parcell relaxes by a cherry blossom next to the River Cam
Families enjoyed punting on the River Cam after weeks of freezing temperatures
The warm weather was perfect for punting on the Cam in Cambridge
VIDEO Sun seekers lapped up the rays in London's Hyde Park
But Grahame Madge of the RSPB said: ‘We’re actually not sure where they all are. Possibly many have already arrived and perished or they may be hanging around waiting for the right conditions.’
He added: ‘When they arrive they are exhausted. They have probably lost half their body weight and are right on the edge of survival.
‘If they arrive and there are no insects to feed on they are in big trouble. We could be looking at a bleak picture.’
Bluebells are one wonder of the British countryside that have yet to appear.
It is thought peak flowering could be delayed until mid-May this year. There are also fears that many daffodils may not flower at all.
Rollerskating lessons in Hyde Park for Isla and
Tana Keith, aged seven and six, Ruby Newell, seven, Anya Oldfield-Box,
eight, Eva Younger, six, and seven-year-old Livia Welsh
The deckchairs were out in Hyde Park, though this man clearly wasn't sure whether to risk coming out without his woolly hat
Kassia, six, and Lila, four, played on the beach in West Wittering as the UK enjoyed 'shorts weather'
The beginning of Spring saw the peacocks at Kew Gardens presenting themselves by fanning out their tails
Tom Price, curator of Oxford
University’s Botanic Garden, said: ‘It’s possible the bulbs have been
damaged by the prolonged wet, and then very cold weather. Some of them
could have rotted or died off in the soil.’However, experts suggest the late spring could be a sign of an increasingly rare hot summer.
Matthew Oates, a naturalist for the National Trust, said: ‘There is a really good link between late springs and very good summers, and we are due, overdue, a very good summer.’
A Met Office spokesman said: ‘Temperatures will drop a bit tomorrow but it will stay generally mild.’
Visitors made their way to Kew Gardens to enjoy the rare glimpse of sun
Two friends paddled on the pebble beach at Brighton
Spectators lined the promenade to cheer on runners in the Brighton Marathon today
Brighton beach filled up as people cooled off from the unexpectedly warm weather
The sunglasses were out in force as Brightonians soaked up the sun
Two-year-old Finley Myler cooled down in a water fountain in Windsor
Meanwhile the A708 road in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, has been closed after a large section of it collapsed into a stream.Police said the A708 Moffat to Selkirk Road near Grey Mare's Tail was likely to be shut for some time.
The collapse is thought to have been the result of subsidence caused by heavy rain and melting snow.
Cracked: The road in Dumfries and Galloway which has been closed after collapsing into a stream
Ruined: Police said the road near Grey Mare's Tail was likely to be shut for some time
Closed off: The collapse is thought to have been caused by subsidence caused by heavy rain and melting snow
A couple watched the sea at Lyme Regis in Dorset crashing into the harbour wall, better known as the Cobb
In Porthleven, Cornwall, some people collected cuttlefish shells on the beach after heavy storms hit the county last night
Hundreds of cuttlefish shells washed up on the beach at Porthleven in the storm last night and will be sold for £1.80 each
Not everywhere enjoyed the weather: This marquee
tent was blown away before the start of the Rock and Roll marathon at
Holyrood Park in Edinburgh
Man v wind: marathon staff recovered the marquee after its brief flight