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Phenology meets technology in the biggest ever survey into spring's arrival
The 91Èȱ¬ and the Woodland Trust are asking people to text in their first sighting
of Spring 2006.
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Have you seen the first signs of spring yet? Believe it or not, spring is arriving in the UK.
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In fact many people have already confirmed its arrival amid reports of frogspawn before Christmas, cherry blossom in November and seven-spot ladybirds emerging during December.
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Now the 91Èȱ¬ and the Woodland Trust, the UK's leading woodland conservation charity, have made it even simpler for people to get involved in the Springwatch survey.
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It's as easy as texting "spring bee".
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By texting the appropriate key word to the 91Èȱ¬ number 63399, recorders can let us know exactly where and when they first spot one of the six spring species and join a legion of phenology recorders helping to build the most complete picture of spring's arrival across the UK.
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The Springwatch survey has been the biggest and most successful survey of its kind with 157,000 recordings logged last year from more than 70,000 observers.
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However this data is only useful if it is part of a much longer-term study and this year the 91Èȱ¬ and the Woodland Trust hope that the new mobile phone recording service will see more people joining in the survey.
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The British public are world leaders when it comes to recording nature's calendar and observations from recorders have already thrown up some startling results.
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For example, ladybirds and butterflies are now waking up three weeks earlier than 30 years ago.
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The hawthorn - also known as the Mayflower and traditionally linked to late spring - is now often spotted flowering in March or April as a result of climate change.
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Bill Oddie, Kate Humble and Simon King will return to 91Èȱ¬ TWO later this year to see how Britain's wild creatures are adjusting to these changes in nature's timings when they present a new series of Springwatch with Bill Oddie.
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This year C91Èȱ¬ is also joining the Springwatch initiative and will be showing children how to contribute and learn from this huge study of UK wildlife.
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In the meantime, more data is needed to assess the impact of these changes on individual species and that is why it is so important that the public continue to send in recordings.
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Texting is the newest and easiest way to add a recording to the survey.
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Recorders can simply text 63399 with a keyword when they first spot one of the six key spring species and their recording will appear on online tracking maps at bbc.co.uk/springwatch.
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Each text automatically records the date and location of the sighting, so it is important that recorders text in from the exact point and time of their observation.
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With a WAP enabled mobile it i's even possible to view images of the six species with descriptions which will help identify them.
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Liz Cleaver, Controller of 91Èȱ¬ Learning, says: "Last year we were overwhelmed by the level of support for the Springwatch survey.
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"Now we have made breakthroughs with mobile technology, enabling us to collect valuable information on the date and whereabouts of UK species with one simple text message.
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"We hope this development will encourage even more people to take part, contributing to over 300 years of observations and ground breaking research into climate change."
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The 91Èȱ¬ and the Woodland Trust are asking the public to record their first sightings of these six species:
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 Frog spawn (text spring frogspawn)
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seven-spot ladybird (text spring ladybird)
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red-tailed bumblebee (text spring bee)
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peacock butterfly (text spring butterfly)
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flowering harwthorn (text spring hawthorn)
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swift (text spring swift).
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These species were chosen because they are easy to spot and are found across the UK, making it easier for everyone to get involved and record observations.
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They also represent a wide cross-section of species from amphibians, insects, birds, and plant life.
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As well as texting, it is also possible to submit a recording at bbc.co.uk/springwatch or by filling out a Springwatch postcard, available from public libraries and 91Èȱ¬ Local Radio stations.
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The website includes a handy spotter's guide with useful information on all the species, as well as further guidance on recording by mobile phone.
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New improved on-line tracking maps also reveal first observations highlighted on a county-by-county basis and temperature information from the Met office helps explain what is going on this spring.
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Notes to Editors
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Images of the six species are available (for the media only) from the Woodland Trust Press Office.
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The Springwatch survey is the biggest survey into the arrival of Spring, run by the 91Èȱ¬ in association with the Woodland Trust and the Centre for Ecology.
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Phenology is the study of the timing of natural seasonal events, especially in relation to climate. The timing of natural events is sometimes known as "nature's calendar".
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The results of the Springwatch survey will feed into Springwatch with Bill Oddie on 91Èȱ¬ TWO later this year (transmission details to be confirmed).
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Important information on mobile phone recording
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Users are advised to read the information and FAQ on bbc.co.uk/springwatch before using the mobile service
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Users should be aware of the implications of using this service. In particular by using the service the 91Èȱ¬ and the Woodland Trust will be able to pinpoint the location of their phone. If a user sends an SMS they have consented to their mobile phone being located. The information (Landranger grid reference) will be used and stored as the location of the observation for scientific puposes only.
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The Springwatch mobile service works with the following networks: T-Mobile, Vodafone, Orange and O2.
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Virgin Mobile and Three are not currently location-enabled for external parties so recorders on these networks should not send the 91Èȱ¬ a text message as it is not possible to collect the location reference. Users are instead advised to submit their observations at bbc.co.uk/springwatch or by postcard.
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Texts will cost no more than 10 to 15p depending on your network rate.
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Important information on the WAP guide
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If you are able to access the internet on your mobile you can also view images of the six species, with descriptions, to help you spot them accurately while you are out and about.
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To use this service type bbc.co.uk/mobile/springwatch into the phones internet browser or type bbc.co.uk/mobile and select Springwatch on the menu options.
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You can also text wap guide to 88822 and the 91Èȱ¬ will send a link to your phone to help you find the mobile site.
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The 91Èȱ¬ does not charge for its mobile content. However operator charges for using the internet on your phone will apply. Costs vary from operator to operator. Consult your operator to find out their specific charges.
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