Plants and animals feel the heat of Europe's warm winter
Europe's unseasonably warm winter has seen daffodils spring up, cherry blossom trees bloom and garlic bulbs push through the soil. The unusual climate has not only affected plants - it's also causing chaos for wildlife.
Confused nature
Across Europe, unseasonably warm winter weather has put nature in a spin. Plants, insects and animals seem convinced that spring is around the corner. For example, disturbance of established weather patterns has caused an abundance of game in Germany's forests after animals began to mate too early in the season.
Warm winters, a worrying new trend
Gardeners and scientists are worried that the warm winter temperatures this season reflect a disturbing new normal brought about by global climate change. "It is strange to see how certain plants are already flowering like crazy," Hans-Jurgen Packheiser, a 76-year-old beekeeper from Halver in the agricultural region of Germany's North Rhine-Westphalia, said to news agency AFP.
Un-bee-lievable impact
Beekeeping experts are blaming the rise in temperatures in some areas of Europe as the major cause of reduced honey production and bee deaths. "Some bees in my hives are already out and about looking for nectar. They think winter is already over," Hans-Jurgen Packheiser said. But the nectar they would collect isn't there yet.
Bedeviled birds
Extreme differences from established weather patterns are wreaking havoc with bird species as well. Birds that usually hibernate during winter months have been seen flying around as if it were spring. Some migrating birds never even flew south at all because of the warmth. Hens have started laying early too, with reports of some beginning at the end of November.
Thriving pests
Warm conditions have left farmers across Europe grappling with how to proceed with sowing and harvesting. While warmer weather may increase production for some crops, yields could be reduced for others due to thriving pests, like the horse-chestnut leaf miner (above) that are typically killed off by prolonged cold spells.
Feeling the heat
It's not just animals feeling the heat: also some plants haven't entered into their normal winter dormancy. With warmer-than-usual temperatures not dropping below the freezing point, blooming plants - such as roses and daffodils - could have a hard time thriving in springtime.
Unwelcome warm weather
Stephane Longuepez, a park and garden official in the French city of Lille, says an early spring isn't such a good thing: "It's easy to think that with the good weather, everything will grow better." But that's not quite the case, Longuepez told AFP. "Bulbs like tulips might not flower at all this year because they need a cold winter spell for their development, which they won't have had."
Cross-country toad march
This winter's heavy rains and warm temperatures have also caused chaos for Europe's amphibians. It's not uncommon to see baby toads already migrating to woodland habitats across the continent - ahead of schedule. But hundreds, if not thousands, of toads making the journey are dying en route. More than 60 to 80 percent of wildlife casualties on European roads each year are amphibians.
Warmest winter on record
While the calendar may still officially reflect winter in Europe, nature seems to disagree. Although some Europeans may favor the unusual weather, there are bound to be consequences for the continent's flora and fauna. This year has seen many European countries experience their warmest winters ever.