Nature features

There have been reports of frogspawn in October, cherry blossom in November and seven-spot ladybirds emerging during December.

Phenology, or nature's calendar, is simply the study of the timing of natural seasonal events in relation to climate.

Frogspawn, copyright Margaret Barton

By collecting information about the first signs of spring it will be possible to build a complete picture of the season as it unfolds across the UK.

Last year a record 200,000 volunteers' recordings were logged and it's hoped to top that figure this year.

It's very easy for anyone to get involved in the survey and this year, recorders are being asked to keep a vigilant eye out for the first signs of these six species. All are key spring indicators:

1) frog spawn
2) seven-spot ladybird
3) the red-tailed bumblebee
4) peacock butterfly
5) flowering hawthorn
6) swift

To add a record to the survey, recorders simply fill out a postcard (available from public libraries and BBC local radio stations), go on-line at www.bbc.co.uk/springwatch or in a new initiative, text in their sighting to the BBC number 63399.

Volunteers' results will be revealed during a three-week series Springwatch with Bill Oddie, due to be broadcast on BBC TWO in 2006. 

For more information visit the BBC Springwatch website. Click on the link below.