Biological Recording

Want to make a simple and really value contribution to conservation? Of course you do. Well then get involved in biological recording. This might seem scary and technical but it is literally recording the species you see. 

As part of my year out I spent time volunteering at my Local Environmental Records Centre, the Wiltshire & Swindon Biological Records Centre. Here I saw how records submitted by members of the public are used to help monitor species and make decisions on how to protect them.

What’s in it for you other than that warm fuzzy feeling you are doing some good? Well, it means can you see what species you encountered across the different sites you have visited. Recording any species from sites you visit repeatedly develops a record of the changes in species diversity and abundance over time at that location.

I mostly record birds, but everything from trees to ticks can be identified, the sighting noted down and the records made use of.  A sighting of a rare or unusual species, when reported to relevant organisations or authorities, can be used to protect that species at that site. It may even be that the species has never been seen at that location, making the record even more valuable.

We all have a responsibility to safeguard wildlife. Recording of distribution is particularly important for scarce or declining species. However, even if a species is common it is still worth recording: as we know from past experience today’s common species could be the rarities of tomorrow.

It is easy to get involved with biological recording. To make a record all you need is: what you saw (speices), how many there were, where you saw them and when. Starting with groups and species you are familiar with is a good way to build confidence.

Once you have some records the next step is to submit them to your local environmental records centre (LERC). These form a network of recording bodies across the country which collect data and use it to inform anything from planning applications to nature reserve managements.

Details of your LERC can be found here. They would be very grateful for any data you submit to them. 

This data is then compiled on a national level by the National Biodiversity Network, they collates this data and provide a platform making it easily accessible. Details on the NBN can be found here. 

Remember: a record that is not shared with anyone is not being used to its full potential.