More and more plants are already blooming and some shrubs are already turning green. Due to the persistently very high winter temperatures, nature is already acting as if it is March. Developments in nature are currently more than three weeks ahead of what we considered normal 50 years ago. The black alder trees are currently in bloom, which means that the pollen concentration can rise considerably, resulting in hay fever complaints.
Already several blooming flowers
The effect of the high temperature can be seen in nature and in our gardens. The hazel trees have been in bloom for weeks. The first hazel trees are already coming into leaf, just like the first hawthorns. But the hydrangeas in the gardens are also sprouting. The snowdrops and crocuses are in full bloom and many other flower bulbs are sprouting from the ground.
The birds are also making themselves heard more and more. Around this time you can hear the first characteristic finches and the spring-like whistle of the song thrush.
Alder pollen in the air
At the turn of the year, the alder pollen concentration rose to several hundred pollen per cubic meter of air. These were the exotic alder species that were already in bloom from Christmas due to the warm November and December. Now the amount of alder pollen in the air is rising again due to the flowering of the black alder.
The alder pollen concentration can rise to hundreds of pollen per cubic meter of air in the coming weeks, with peaks of up to several thousand. People sensitive to alder pollen may experience significant hay fever complaints in the near future.
Source-
https://www.weeronline.nl/nieuws/13-2-2022-maart-in-de-natuur-hooikoorts
