Phenology
Welcome to the fascinating world of Phenology.
Robert Marsham was a meticulous recorder and he was the first to log the effects of nature and seasonal change.
In 1736, Robert commenced this series of records that he developed into 27 Indications of Spring.
It was to identify annually:
The first snowdrops.
The first swallows seen.
The first songs of migrant birds.
The first butterflies in Spring.
The first cuckoo call.
Leafing dates of trees.
This vast database was reported to the Royal Society in 1789, the same year Gilbert White published his Natural History of Selborne. Later, Robert’s findings were summarised in a broadsheet by his friend, Lord Suffield and created much interest in the recording of phenology.
We would recommend that historical researchers navigating this Robert Marsham website should also click on the link to: