PLT Citizen Science Scheme
The scheme we have chosen to use is owned and managed by the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology. The website that relates to this work is the UK Pollinator Monitoring Scheme (PoMS)
This website now contains everything to do with the UK Pollinator Monitoring Scheme (PoMS) and the Flower-Insect Timed Counts (FIT).
The new FIT Count app was officially launched in May 2021. Counts added via the app will get linked to the website above.
The app can be downloaded in the usual way from the app store (type “FIT count” into the search bar), alternatively for Android phones click here and for iOS devices click here.
Guide to using the FIT Count App from UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology
The Flower-Insect Timed Count (FIT Count) is designed to collect new data on numbers of flower-visiting insects, as part of a wider set of surveys under the UK Pollinator Monitoring Scheme (PoMS). During a ten minute period you count all insects that land on a selected 50x50cm patch of target flowers. This app will guide you through the process and make uploading your data really easy. You will need to allow about 15 minutes for your survey plus some additional time to familiarise yourself with the app.
- Download and install the app ‘FIT Count’ from your app store.
- Click the yellow bar marked ‘Start Survey’ to register and start your first survey. If you want further information select an icon from the purple bar at the bottom of the screen.
- Select the Information icon for a quick guide and links to more detailed information on undertaking a FIT Count.
- Select the Insect icon to find further information and ID tips for the different types of pollinating insects.
- When you select ‘Start Survey’ from the home screen you will first need to complete a simple form with your name and email address to register your free account.
- Once that has been completed you will be able to fill in the details of your first survey, following the steps in the app to identify your location, choosing your patch of target flowers based on the list loaded in to the app, or entering the species you have chosen, and uploading a photo of it. Answer the questions about the target patch and then when you are ready select the yellow ‘Start Count’ bar and the timer will start.
- Record the group in which the insects you see land fall by touching the relevant illustrated square such as ‘Bumblebees’.
- Only count insects that land on flowers of your target plant species, within the patch.
- iny insects (up to 3mm long) should be counted as “Small insects under 3mm long” – there is no need to distinguish which insect group these tiny insects belong to.
- Unidentified insects over 3mm should still be counted, in the “Other insects” category.
- In order to get consistent totals it is important that you count EVERY insect that visits the target flowers, even if that means putting a lot into the “Other” category!
- Try to count each individual insect just once. For instance, if a bumblebee flies into your quadrat area and lands on a target flower, that counts as one bumblebee. If it then moves to another flower within the quadrat that does not count as a second bumblebee. But if another bumblebee flies in from outside the quadrat that is counted as a second bumblebee. Ignore insects that do not land, or that land on flowers of other plant species, or that land on leaves. If you make a mistake remove the counted insect using the red minus sign in the top left of the illustrated square.
- When the time is up, click the yellow next bar, answer the questions about the weather and then click the yellow save my count bar. Then either Upload the count by selecting the yellow Upload bar or if you wish to edit any of the information entered you can access your pending survey from the fourth, stacked squares icon. Click the right arrow beside the purple Upload button and it will allow you to access the ten survey screens. Make any edits then Upload your survey. If you need to remove your pending survey completely swipe left on the survey summary and it will reveal a red delete option.
- Remember to upload your pending survey and a record will be kept in the uploaded tab. All counts, even just a single one, are useful to the project and can be included in the analysis, so please do remember to upload your survey.
If you are able to carry out multiple counts during the year that would be fantastic, and will add value to the data when analysed. Ideally CEH would like counts that are repeated over time at the same location (or very nearby). You can use different flowers at different times of year (and it’s fine to move the quadrat around a small area to target different flowers). If you are able to carry out counts at several locations that is also very useful, but where possible CEH would prefer more counts at fewer locations, rather than just one count at lots of locations. If you are able to do one count a month, or one a week, throughout the April to September season that would provide a really good set of data to add to the project.
Other links
Recording of PoMS webinar “Polling the Pollinators” from 22 April, via FSC’s BioLinks project.
Launch of the X-polli-nation project, which provides some brilliant resources for schools and others to get involved with pollinator conservation and citizen science. The PoMS FIT Counts are one of the methods being used. Head to xpollination.org or join the conversation online (@XpolliProject #xpolli) to find out more.
Bee the Change campaign from PoMS partners the Bumblebee Conservation Trust – great ideas for promoting the conservation of bumblebees and other pollinators.
