Exploring British Wildlife: Bluebells
An online survey of bluebells in the UK
Voted Britain’s favourite flower, the bluebell captures the very spirit of springtime with its intensely coloured carpets appearing in many woodlands this time of year. But is it flowering earlier than it used to?
Bluebell flowering times can be used as powerful evidence of climate change.
That is why the aim of this survey is to build up a nationwide picture of when bluebells, both native and non-native species, start flowering each year.
Find out more about the different species of bluebell, how they can help us monitor changes in season, and how you can help scientists by taking part.
The 2010 survey had now closed but it will take place again next year. View the results from this year's survey.
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About the survey
Help scientists find out whether flowering seasons are getting earlier as a result of climate change or whether Britain's bluebells themselves are changing.
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Identifying your bluebells
Find out how to identify whether your bluebells are native bluebells, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, or non-native species, by looking at the colour of the pollen and the shapes of the flower.
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Results
Find out the results of the 2010 bluebell survey and compare the distributions of native and non-native bluebells.
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Findings so far
Find out what the bluebell survey has taught scientists so far about the distribution of native and Spanish bluebells in the UK.
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Glossary
There are links to this glossary throughout the bluebell information to help you with the identification process.
Toolbox
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Angela Marmont Centre for UK Biodiversity
Discover the newly launched Centre for UK Biodiversity. It offers a drop-in identification service, research facilities, and online nature resources. Watch a video and meet the team.