Recording - who can be involved

I registered as a recorder and then became so busy at work that I didn’t do any recording. Can I start again next season?
Yes – or whenever you do find time. Once you have registered, you have created your own personal area on the National Phenology database held on this website, which sits there waiting for you to enter records. If you forget your password, click here to get a reminder. Please don’t re-register as that creates a duplicate personal area. Don’t worry if you only find time to enter one record on the last day of the recording season – that record counts!

I am a teacher – can my class/school be involved?
Yes. This is a great scheme for schools and already thousands are participating. You can record in your school grounds, which may provide only two or three events each season. Alternatively you can encourage pupils to observe on their way to and from school (if this falls within the 10km (6-mile) radius from your recording address). Each year subsequent classes can build on the records, thus building a unique and growing record of what is happening in your area. You can follow the same ideas for groups or clubs.  Visit our Nature Detectives website, which was designed solely to make phenology recording accessible for schools, groups and families.

I already record for another conservation group. Can you make use of my records or would that be duplicating?
We would love to have your records. We are talking to other bodies about drawing all phenological records together into the national database. However, in the meantime, please record through this website.
 
I didn’t find out about the project until mid-spring. I’ve missed numerous events, is it too late to start?
So long as you have at least one record to enter, it’s never too late to start! We will be promoting the project throughout the season, and so a number of people will always join us after the first events have occurred. 

I am an autumn recorder. Do you want me to carry on in the spring?
Yes please. We would like you to carry on from season to season if you can. We would like as comprehensive a network across the UK as possible, and as much continuity as possible
 
I don’t recognise many of the species on the recording form, you obviously need to be an expert to take part in this survey.
No you don’t! Even a record of the first and last time you mowed your lawn is worth entering. Please don’t be embarrassed to send in just one or two records, if that is all you know or have seen in your garden. Every record is valuable and contains new information we would never have known if you hadn’t recorded it. More species information can be found on this website and in your Guide to recording spring and autumn events in Nature's Calendar.

I am not very confident about identifying some of the species. Should I make a guess?
No, if you are not confident in your identification, or the date when the event happened, please do not enter the record.

There appears to be someone already recording in the 10km square where I live, is there any point in me recording as well?
Most definitely, the more people who record, the more accurate our records will be and the better our predictions of the future impact of climate change on wildlife. It is rare for anyone to record every event, and so together you might cover them all!