Early Blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum)

Observation: I have been noticing how early the berries are this year; easily a month ahead of schedule. I picked and ate ripe blueberries today! Got a few sour ones too, but, it was amazing to find any at all right now, let alone sweet ones. There are salmon berries that are nearly ready. Usually we are not picking blueberries until late July or early August. I also have noticed that the fireweed blossoms, our natural summer calendar, is in some areas pretty advanced, so I guess they are keep good track of the summer, berries and all. It is great to have a good berry crop, but I wonder with them being so early, what the effect might be on animals that depend on berries for their diet. Mike Brubaker, ANTHC, Center for Climate and Health