Thermometers raced into double figures this February and higher-than-normal temperatures caused many hibernating animals to wake early – weeks before the normal March dates.

Frogs have already started spawning across city ponds, and traditional spring flowers, such as daffodils, have been blooming in Castor, near Peterborough for more than a month.

And this week children have enjoyed the warmer-than-usual days by playing out in the city's parks wearing T-shirts and eating ice-cream.

Hampton based charity Froglife said that it was one of the earliest times of year for seeing frogspawn ever recorded.

Traditionally occurring at the start of spring, spawnings have already been spotted in January and early February – a month earlier than normal.


Have you noticed Spring springing up earlier than normal? Let us know or email you photos to eteditor@peterboroughtoday.co.uk.

Information officer for the charity Lucy Benyon, said: "We have had reports of frogs spawning in January before, but this year was the earliest ever.

"It is hard to say what the cause of the earlier spawning is, but it does seem that it can be linked to global warming. We have seen no problem with the spawning so far, as the weather has remained good throughout February."

But the charity fears that frogs spawning earlier than normal could mean that the spawn and tadpoles could be in danger if a sudden cold snap occurs – although there has been no marked affect so far.

Mrs Benyon said: "While freezing temperatures will not affect adult frogs or toads, as they will almost go into re-hibernation, it could kill a large amount of the spawn or tadpoles.

"If people are concerned about saving the spawn and if they know a cold spell is coming up, they can collect it into a bucket, and keep it in a warmer place, such as a shed, to help keep it safe."

However, people were warned not to transfer the spawn from one pond to another, for fear of spreading disease across frog populations.

The charity also co-runs the Hampton Nature Reserve alongside the township's developer O & H Hampton.

The reserve is home to the largest population of great crested newts in Europe, but Mrs Benyon said that the weather would not affect the number, because newts spawn later in the year than other animals.

It's not just the wildlife taking advantage of the warm spell, Peterborough residents have been stepping out to enjoy the area's nature attractions.

Children on half-term flocked to Central Park yesterday to soak up the rays.

Park Ranger Mark Swift said: "It's a lot busier than normal. Kids are out in their T-shirts in February eating ice-cream, which is very unusual. The flowers are also out early, daffodils are poking their heads out and we have many trees in blossom."