"Just a note to thank you for this service. It's a godsend. I just saw my life and state Slaty-backed Gull because I got one of your text messages whilst I was out birding nearby. Thanks guys!!" Ron on business in CA from NY

Why wait until the next time you are at your computer to find out what might be around? Now get Yahoo Group and Listserv postings sent as MMS text messages directly to your cell phone. You can choose how many messages per day you want to receive and what hours of the day to receive the messages.

The Surfbirds feed has been optimized to deliver you the most message (up to 700 characters) compared to a Yahoo SMS alert that only gives you the subject line.

Here Are The Cons

* Surfbirds and Fastbreak Mobile do not charge for this free service. However, you need to check with your cell phone carrier at what rate they charge you to receive MMS messages. Before you sign up for this, check the rates and plans with your carrier. Some carriers charge a flat monthly fee to receive unlimited monthly MMS messages and you might want to change plans if you want to monitor a busy group. If you want to get messages from a busy group like TexBirds or Tweeters 7 days per week, you might be getting 600 messages per month. Surfbirds is not liable for you racking up a massive cell phone bill.

* You cannot post text messages to any group from your cellphone. This service just allows you to receive postings as MMS text messages to your cellphone.

* This service cannot be assumed to be 100% accurate. Some messages may not go through. Users should still check the web archives of a group or become an email subscriber to a group if you want to be sure you see every message. Surfbirds is not liable if you miss a lifer.

* Does not currently work with the Iphone. But if you have an Iphone or Blackberry, you already have easy access to email and the web and can browse Surfbirds mail archives wirelessly.

OK, I'm Good. How Do I Get Started?

* You will be directed to Fastbreak Mobile. Ignore "feed url" box as it will already be filled in for you and ignore any message that says it cannot pass url. Choose the hours you want to receive messages and the maximum number of messages per day you want to receive. Scroll down and create an account and select your carrier.

* You will need to confirm your phone number and respond to a verification text that will be sent to your phone.

* Once your phone has been verified by FastBreak, you can click on My Account (at Fastbreak) and edit the feed to receive up to 20 messages per day if you want.

* Come back to this page and add as many Surfbirds feeds as you like to your Fastbreak account.

It may take a day or so for the Surfbirds feed to sync up. At first, you may receive quite a few messages, some of which may be several days old. It should then settle down and just send you new messages as they appear.