Report on the phenological observations in the british isles from December, 1931, to November, 1932

The Report is again based on over 15,000 individual events, although Tables VII (Tree Records) and XIV (Hevingham Records) are wanting. But we have the cheering news that the latter, going back to 1736, will reappear with the records for 1932 and 1933, thanks to the Rev. A. F. Marsham, a son of Major H. L. Marsham. Exceptional warmth again prevailed until February, which was also excessively dry. But the year was most notable for its wetness and dullness, above all, April, May and July. These gave half as much rain again as usual and only three quarters of the sunshine average. June and early autumn largely saved the situation for field and garden crops and gave a fine floral display from August on. Table V shows lateness in plant events after April to early July, of ten days or more in England and Wales, but a bare week for the British Isles as a whole, since Scotland and Ireland fared much better. Worst were England SE, SW and Midlands. The Floral Isakairs (equal divergences from the average) show this well, with areas in the former over a fortnight late for all plants against ten days early in the latter. Scarcity and lateness of the three butterflies in Tables IX and X were the response to the wet cold of late April and May. The same cause accounted for no bird in the main migrant table being early. Owing presumably to food shortage, the seven insect-feeders up to May 9 averaged four days later than the other eight birds in the same period. The Spring migrant isophenes (equal appearance dates) lay much further south than usual, the reverse occurring in autumn, when the genial weather favoured lingering. The additional notes received from many proved, as usual, of great value and form an important part of the letterpress. The names and stations of all our observers appear this year in Table II. Tables III and V present the dates of the separate plants in each of the II Districts, with averages for England and Wales and for the British Isles, also corresponding averages for 35 years, which are confirmed after 40 pears. In an appendix are now tabulated the results decade by decade, with comparisons and ranges. Table A shows plant events by Districts, B and C by flowers, respectively, for England and Wales and for the British Isles. These tables summarise a presentation of our results from an aspect not previously attempted.