Tools, resources and publications
Find a survey or scheme
This database lets you search for specific surveys by name or by species name to see if a recording scheme or survey exists.
If you run, or know of, a survey or scheme that isn’t listed please submit the biological recording scheme to our database for review.
Unfortunately, due to limited resources, we cannot take responsibility for the currency of the information held in this database and recommend that you contact survey organisers directly for the most up to date information.
If you notice a scheme that is listed that is no longer operating please let us know. Thank you!
Search for a Wildlife Survey or Biological Recording Scheme
Note: search starts after three or more characters have been entered.
154 records found
Acari Recording Scheme (AcReS)
The Acari are a subclass of Arachnida and comprise the mites and ticks. They represent one of the most ancient lineages of terrestrial life, and have colonised almost every habitat…
The Ancient Tree Hunt: contribute to The Ancient Tree Inventory (ATI) which is a living database of ancient trees. In 2011 over 100,000 hand-oicked trees had been recorded across the…
Aquatic Heteroptera Recording Scheme
Association of Local Environment Record Centres (ALERC)
Formed in 2009, ALERC is an association between Local Environmental Records Centres (LERCs) in Great Britain. The Association aims to provide a central voice for the views and concerns of…
Auchenorrhyncha Recording Scheme
The Auchenorrhyncha are part of the Hemiptera ('true bugs') and include insects commonly referred to as leafhoppers, planthoppers, froghoppers, treehoppers and cicadas. Almost 400 species have been recorded in Britain…
The current objectives of the Club are 1. promote the study of aquatic Coleoptera on as wide a base as possible. 2. encourage networking between wetland coleopterists by means of…
Bat Conservation Trust – Sunset / Sunrise Survey
Keen to get involved in bat monitoring? This survey is ideal for you if you don't have previous bat-surveying experience, and it helps us to identify new roosts. It is…
Bat Conservation Trust- Field Survey
Why not use your bat detecting skills to help us monitor summer activity of our bat populations? By taking part in this survey you can help us find out how…
Bat Conservation Trust- Nathusius’ pipistrelle survey
Nathusius' pipistrelle is considered rare in the UK but may simply be under-recorded. It is often found at large waterbodies, particularly during its autumn migration period. Why not join in…
Bat Conservation Trust- Roost Count
Do you know of a bat roost near you, or do you have bats roosting on your property? Help us monitor how different bat species are faring across the UK…
Bat Conservation Trust- Waterway Survey
Keen to try out your bat detecting skills? Why not try out this survey monitoring activity of Daubenton's bats along a waterway near you? The survey method is straightforward and…
Bat Conservation Trust- Woodland Survey
Surveyors are asked to walk a 60-70 minute transect in a woodland of their choice. All species are recorded, with particular focus on the rare barbastelle bat. Ideally the woodland…
Bees Wasps & Ant Recording Society
BWARS is the national society dedicated to studying and recording bees, wasps & ants (aculeate Hymenoptera) in Britain & Ireland.
Beetles and beetle recording in Great Britain
If you are interested in a particular group of beetles, there are 16 beetle recording schemes to choose from. Some of these schemes have their own web pages with more…
For the past 24 years, we've been asking young people to count the birds in their school grounds, helping create a 'snapshot' picture of bird numbers in the UK. We…
Explore the UK coastline and record the living seaweeds you find to help us monitor the effects of climate change and invasive species.
Become a wildlife explorer for a day and discover what’s living right on your doorstep by joining in at your local BioBlitz event. Our team of experienced naturalists and wildlife…
BirdTrack is an exciting project that looks at migration movements and distributions of birds throughout Britain and Ireland. BirdTrack provides facilities for observers to store and manage their own personal…
Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland
The Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland is for everyone who is interested in the flora of Britain and Ireland. We welcome both professional and amateur members. The society is…
Bristol Regional Environmental Records Centre
Bristol Regional Environmental Records Centre (BRERC) is the central repository for biodiversity and geodiversity data for the ’West of England’ area: the same area as the former county of Avon.
British and Irish Water Beetle Recording Scheme
British and Irish Water Beetle Recording Scheme
The British Bryological Society exists to promote the study of mosses and liverworts. With a full programme of field meetings, a paper reading meeting, recording and research projects, an international…
British Bugs including Terrestrial Heteroptera Recording Scheme and Psylloidea Recording Scheme
British Dragonfly Monitoring Scheme
It is hoped that the British Dragonfly Monitoring Scheme will yield counts from a large number of sites to provide national population indices.
Your records are essential to the work of the British Dragonfly Society. They provide much of the scientific basis for our knowledge, helping us to find out where and when…
British Dragonfly Society, Migrant Dragonfly Project
The Migrant Dragonfly Project was established in the mid 1990's as a means to improve our understanding of the details of, and reasons for, dragonfly migration. Recent results have indicated…
British Isles Neuropterida Recording Scheme
Welcome the Lacewings and Allies Recording Scheme. This site aims to provide information, images and identification aids for the 82 species within the orders: Neuroptera, Megaloptera, Raphidioptera and Mecoptera which…
The British Lichen Society welcomes all who are interested in lichens, whether you are a complete beginner or someone with a life-time’s experience of lichenology. Throughout the world, but with…
The British Mycological Society is a Registered Charity (No 276503) open to all who are interested in promoting and learning about the exciting world of fungi. It has member sections…
British Myriapod and Isopod Group
British Myriapod & Isopod Group aims to actively develop identification, training and recording relevant to improving the knowledge and conservation of centipedes, millipedes, pauropods & symphylans (the Myriapoda) and woodlice & waterlice (the…
Welcome to the British Phycological Society's Website. The Society, a charity devoted to the study of algae founded in 1952, was one of the first to be established in the…
Through the efforts of volunteers participating in British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) surveys, the bird populations of the British Isles have been monitored more effectively and for longer than those…
British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) – Heronries Census
British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) – House Martin Survey
We need to discover more about House Martins to help us identify why they are declining and provide scientific evidence to help inform policy decisions that could reverse the declines.…
British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) – Nest Box Challenge
To get the most out of putting up your nest box, take part in Nest Box Challenge and help us to monitor the breeding success of birds in Britain's green…
British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) – Nest Record Scheme
British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) – Peregrine survey
Peregrine survey to record the number of occupied territories in the UK, Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. We will compare our findings with surveys from 1961, 1971, 1981,…
British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) – The ‘What’s Up?’ project
The 'What's Up?' project aims to address this problem by working with a range of audiences to increase biological recording in upland habitats. We need your help to make this…
British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) – Wales Chat Survey
For more information: http://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/chat
British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) /GWCT- Woodcock Survey
The first breeding Woodcock Survey was undertaken in 2003 estimated a breeding population of 78,000 males in Britain. Thus providing a baseline against which to assess future population change. During…
Bruchidae & Chrysomelidae Recording Scheme
Bumblebee Conservation Trust – Bee Walk
BeeWalk is a national recording scheme to monitor the abundance of bumblebees across the UK. The survey would be impossible without volunteers like you, who identify and count the bumblebees…
Butterfly Conservation – National Moth Recording Scheme
Launched in 2007, the National Moth Recording Scheme (NMRS) brings together sightings (records) of all macro-moths (larger moths) across the UK, Isle of Man and Channel Islands. It is hoped…
Butterfly Conservation- Big Butterfly Count
The big butterfly count is a nationwide survey aimed at helping us assess the health of our environment. It was launched in 2010 and has rapidly become the world's biggest…
Butterfly Conservation: Butterflies for the New Millennium
Capturing our Coast (Co-Coast)
Centre for Environmental Data and Recording
On the CEDaR webpage you can submit a single record or set of records online by selecting the relevant category for the recording e.g. dragonflies, pine marten and 'Invaders of…
The Cladocera Interest Group is an informal alliance of naturalists with an interest in the orders of micro - crustacean which are often conveniently referred to as Cladocera or Water…
Cofnod – the Local Environmental Records Centre for North Wales
Cofnod is one of four Local Environmental Records Centres (LERCs) in Wales and forms part of the first national network of LERCs anywhere in the UK. Our name, which means…
Conchological Society of Great Britain and Ireland
About us Founded in 1876 the Conchological Society of Great Britain and Ireland is one of the oldest existing societies devoted to the study of molluscs. The society:- publishes a…
From 2010 we have been inviting people to take part in real science to discover more about conker tree health by taking part in our missions. From 2014 we have…
Crambidae & Pyralidae Recording Scheme
Dipterists Forum- The Society for the study of flies (Diptera)
Dipterists Forum promotes the study, recording and conservation of true flies (Diptera) in the British Isles. We conduct field meetings & workshops and publish a biannual Bulletin and a journal, Dipterists…
The Earthworm Society of Great Britain and Northern Ireland aims to promote and support scientific research so that earthworms and their environment can be better understood. Through its work the…
The Kingdom of Fife is full of natural beauty. Fife covers an area of over 1300 square kilometres, which is bound to the north by the Firth of Tay and…
Freshwater Flatworm Recording Scheme
Freshwater Habitats Trust- Pond Net
PondNet is an exciting new national volunteer survey to collect information about trends in pond quality and pond species, including rare plants and animals. PondNet is the first habitat-based volunteer survey network of its…
As an organisation we serve local groups but the Trust is based on individual membership for anyone who wants to explore the world of fungi whether on their own or…
The Gelechiid Recording Scheme covers the 161 species in the family Gelechiidae (comprising 54 genera) recorded in the British Isles. It also, following common practise within recently published books, includes…
Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust- The last hedgehog in Gloucestershire?
The last hedgehog in Gloucestershire? Hedgehogs used to be a familiar and well-loved visitor to our gardens, but with a startling 95% decline since the 1950's, and a continued decline…
Ground Beetle Recording Scheme
The Ground Beetle Recording Scheme was set up under the auspices of the Biological Records Centre, CEH Monks Wood, in 1971. It has sought to collate existing data on Carabid…
There are 46 species of ladybird present in the UK and the recent arrival of the Harlequin ladybird has the potential to jeopardise many of these species
Hen harriers are now one of Britain’s rarest birds of prey, but still with a relative stronghold on Scotland’s heaths and bogs. Illegal persecution, land use changes resulting in loss…
Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust
Established in 1994, the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT) is a registered charity that has pioneered practical, locally-based education and monitoring programmes on cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises) in…
Highland Biological Recording Group
The Highland Biological Recording Group was established in 1986 to:stimulate public interest and involvement in biological recording; collect data on Highland wildlife through surveys; publish the results in an annual…
Hypogean Crustacea Recording Scheme
The hypogean (subterranean) Crustacea recording scheme is a small scheme dealing with the subterranean macro-Crustacea found in the groundwater and aquatic cave habitats of the British Isles, including Ireland. The scheme…
Incurvarioidea Recording Scheme
Leaf-mining Moth Recording Scheme
This site is the result of an on-going project, set up to photograph and record all the leaf mining fauna which occur in Britain. Use has been made of SLR…
The UK's Little Owl population is rapidly declining. We want to help change this. So, we're launching this project, which is dedicated to UK Little Owl research and conservation. We’re…
Our aim is to enjoy, study, conserve and promote awareness of natural history on the Isle of Seil and the surrounding area of Lorn. We organise field trips in all…
Mammal Society- National Mammal Atlas
Mammals are difficult to record, resulting in patchy, out of date information and a lack of current data to tell us where mammals are or how well they're doing, which…
MCS is interested in hearing about your sightings of a number of different marine species - basking sharks, marine turtles and jellyfish in UK and Irish waters.
We are the local biodiversity network for wildlife recording in Liverpool, Sefton, Knowsley and St Helens. Providing a support and resource network for local based recorders and volunteers and targeting…
Chinese mitten crabs are officially listed as one of the World's 100 worst invasive species. They can cause damage to fishing gear and river banks, block intake screens, modify natural…
All records collected through the Mosquito Recording Scheme are taken from specimens submitted by the public and identified at the Health Protection Agency or the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health…
Moth Night is the annual celebration of moth recording throughout Britain and Ireland by enthusiasts with local events aimed at raising awareness of moths among the general public.
National Barkfly Recording Scheme (Britain and Ireland)
The Psocoptera (outdoor species)/barkflies recording scheme was started in 2006 with the primary aim of building up as full a picture as possible of the distribution of the species in…
National Bat Monitoring Programme
Bat numbers in the UK have declined dramatically over the last century. While some species have started to show signs of recovery in recent years, bats still face many threats…
National Plant Monitoring scheme
The National Plant Monitoring Scheme (NPMS) is a new habitat-based plant monitoring scheme. The aim is to collect data to provide an annual indication of changes in plant abundance and…
Nature Spot – Recording the Wildlife of Leicestershire and Rutland.
'Help to record the wildlife of Leicestershire and Rutland'. Submit any sighting of an animal, plant or fungus – with or without a photo – to put your dot on…
Everyone can provide useful biological records of non-native species, and with the development of online recording sites and smartphone apps it is now easier than ever. Non-native species records help…
Norfolk Biodiversity Information Service
Following the great work undertaken by Norfolk Wildlife Trust, through their 'Natural Connections' public surveys, NBIS has continued the same spirit of public engagement. NBIS has now held several public…
North East Scotland Biological Records Centre
Every record is important. While rare species may be more exciting to find, it is very important to record common species too. All records help to build up a more…
The study group covers the family Oestridae of which there are probably only 9 extant species in Britain, and possibly even fewer in Ireland. The initial aim of the study group is…
Orkney Biodiversity Records Centre
Orkney Wildlife Information & Records Centre contains a wealth of wildlife information suitable for private study, environmental assessments, planning applications, student projects or development proposals.
Grasshoppers and Related Insects Recording Scheme of Britain and Ireland; Grasshoppers and Crickets with Earwigs, Cockroaches, Stick Insects and Mantids. A summary of surveys, records and maps can be found…
Outer Hebrides Biological Recording
We already know a great deal about the birds and plants of the islands, in comparison our knowledge of most of the invertebrates, and fungi is very limited. If you…
Parasitic Wasps Recording Scheme
People’s trust for endangered species and British Hedgehog Preservation Society – Hedgehog Street
Hedgehog Street is a campaign aimed at ensuring the hedgehog, the UK's only spiny mammal, remains a common and familiar part of British life. We know hedgehogs are in trouble.…
People’s Trust for Endangered Species Surveys
Our gardens and parks can seem pretty thin on wildlife and our countryside assumed to be rich. But the facts may prove otherwise, and this is where you come in.…
People’s trust for endangered species- Great Stag Hunt
Stag beetles are one of the most spectacular looking insects in Britain, named because the male’s large jaws look just like the antlers of a stag. As well as being…
People’s trust for endangered species- Mammals on roads
A nationwide survey of mammal sightings along single-carriage roads. Add your sightings to help us find out crucial information about the status of our wildlife.
People’s trust for endangered species- Traditional Orchard Survey
In order to save our traditional orchards, and the thousands of animals they support, we need to know where they remain and what condition they are in. Together with wildlife…
People’s trust for endangered species-National Water Vole Monitoring Programme
People’s Trust for Endangered Species is launching the first National Water Vole Monitoring Programme (NWVMP) across Britain to establish where water voles remain and how many there are. The knowledge gained…
Porcupine Marine Natural History Society Recording Scheme
The PMNHS has run a recording scheme for its members and any other interested parties, since its inception in 1976. The main rationale behind the scheme comes from: the interest…
Pseudoscorpion Recorders Group
The UK (and Ireland) Pseudoscorpion Recording Scheme has been running for a many years originally under the direction of the Records Centre at the former ITE Monks Wood Experimental Station.…
The Record Pool is an online recording tool. It collects information on reptiles and amphibians in the UK and to makes it available, locally and nationally, for conservation purposes. The…
Our survey asks members of the public to submit records of Yellow Cellar Slug and Green Cellar Slug in UK gardens, along with details of their garden to help us…
Provides a standardised form online for the recording of different species of Riverfly.
"We're a UK charity established to share the best in gardening. Our work is driven by our simple love of plants and the belief that gardeners make the world a…
Royal Horticultural Society- Berberis sawfly
Berberis sawfly is the only insect likely to defoliate berberis and Mahonia in the UK - help us track its spread.
Royal Horticultural Society- Hemerocallis gall midge
This small fly can have a serious effect on the ability of daylilies to produce flowers
Royal Horticultural Society- Lily beetle survey
Lily beetle eats the foliage of lilies and fritillaries and can cause serious damage. The RHS is monitoring the spread of this insect and records can be submitted below
Royal Horticultural Society- Rosemary beetle
This beetle eats the foliage and flowers of rosemary, lavender, sage, thyme and some other related plants.
We're working with swift groups around the UK. Your information will help our knowledge of swifts so that more nest sites can be provided and protected. Tell us where you…
Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels
Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels is a project to stop the decline of Scotland’s core red squirrel populations. Working closely with local communities, the project is seeking to improve conditions for…
Scarabaeoidea Recording Scheme
Originally part of the MarLIN scheme for marine environmental management, protection and education, the Sealife Survey recording scheme is now run by the Marine Biological Association of the UK. As…
The Sepsidae are a family of true flies (Diptera) consisting of 29 species recorded for the British Isles. The majority of species are shiny black ant-like flies, especially the genus…
Shark Trust- Angler Recording Project
To better understand and manage shark, skate and ray fisheries we need to know as much as possible about their populations and movements. Anglers are uniquely placed to record this…
Everyone can get involved in the Basking Shark Project by keeping an eye out for Basking Sharks during the warmer months. Information submitted to the sightings database aids researchers in…
Shark Trust- The Great Eggcase Hunt Project
The Great Eggcase Hunt was established in 2003 and has been engaging the public in hunting for spent shark, skate and ray eggcases along the UK coastline ever since. Thanks to our…
Shetland Biological Records Centre
Shetland Biological Records Centre (SBRC) was established in 1998 by Shetland Amenity Trust to gather information on Shetland’s biodiversity; to develop an understanding of its importance, and to make it…
To generate records of marine wildlife by facilitating intertidal biological surveys at sites around the British Isles, and to make the results available to all on the Internet. In addition…
Soldierflies and Allies Recording Scheme
The Soldierflies and Allies Recording Scheme collates biological records for 11 related Diptera families. The information is used to promote enjoyment, study and conservation of the species and their habitats.…
South West Scotland Environmental Information Centre (SWSEIC)
Formerly known as Dumfries and Galloway Environmental Resources Centre (DGERC), the South West Scotland Environmental Information Centre (SWSEIC) is the local environmental records centre covering Dumfries & Galloway and Ayrshire. The Centre aims to further…
Spider and Harvestman Recording Scheme
One of the main aims of the recording schemes is to provide up-to-date data on the distribution of spiders and harvestmen in Britain. The data available on this website have…
Staphylinidae Recording Scheme
The UK Tachinid Recording Scheme is a non profit-making, volunteer-run organisation, founded in 2000 by Chris Raper & Matt Smith. Primarily we receive records and coordinate the recording effort for…
Terrestrial Flatworm Recording Scheme
The Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) is the main scheme for monitoring the population changes of the UK’s common breeding birds. It is a national volunteer project aimed at keeping track…
The Local Recorders’ Network – Scotland’s Bird Club
The network of recording birds in Scotland (called the Local Recorders’ Network) was established by the SOC in 1968. The Club acts as the umbrella organisation for ornithological recording in…
The National Dormouse Monitoring Programme (NDMP)
We collate and input the records from around 400 dormouse monitoring sites across the UK. The NDMP has been running for the past 25 years and has several hundred trained…
The National Pond Monitoring Network (NPMN)
As the National Pond Monitoring Network develops it will enable us to report on the state of the UK’s ponds, and identify ponds of particular importance for biodiversity, to ensure…
The Nest Record Scheme (NRS) gathers vital information on the breeding success of Britain's birds by asking volunteers to find and follow the progress of individual birds' nests.
The UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme (UKBMS)
The scheme has monitored changes in the abundance of butterflies throughout the United Kingdom since 1976. Since then, recorders have made around a quarter of a million weekly visits to…
The Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS)
If you like birdwatching and would enjoy visiting a wetland site near you once a month in winter, then why not join in the Wetland Bird Survey? The Wetland Bird…
The Wildlife Information Centre for the Lothians and Borders- Record a Raptor
Birds of prey are top-predators, feeding on a range of different species. The presence of raptors is therefore usually an indicator of a healthy, functioning ecosystem. Raptors are also important…
The Wildlife Information Centre for Lothians and Borders
TWIC is the biological records centre for the Lothians and the Scottish Borders that collects, collates and disseminates information about the wildlife in our area.
The Wildlife Information Centre for the Lothians and Borders- Hedgehog Survey
The Wildlife Information Centre's Hedgehog survey aims to gather up-to-date information on the distribution of hedgehogs, Erinaceous europaeus, in the Lothians and Scottish Borders. The hedgehog, Erinaceous europaeus, is listed…
The main aims of the recording scheme are to: promote the surveillance of ticks in Great Britain monitor tick distribution and seasonality on a nationwide scale determine the diversity of…
Tree pests and diseases
The Ladybird Survey aims to facilitate the recording of all the UK's ladybirds.
Wakame (Undaria pinnatifida) is a large species of seaweed originating from the Pacific and is considered by the IUCN Invasive Specialist Group to be one of the 100 'world's worst'…
Warwickshire Biological Records Centre (WBRC)
WBRC contains information on species distribution and ecological sites in Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull – for which it is the most comprehensive data bank of species and habitat records in…
West Wales Biodiversity Information Centre
We are one of four Local Environmental Records Centres which together serve as a biodiversity data storage and management facility for the whole of Wales.
Wider Countryside Butterfly Survey
The UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme, run by Butterfly Conservation and the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, has developed a new Wider Countryside Butterfly Survey (WCBS) method to gauge the changing…
Wild about Glasgow – Glasgow Museum Biological Records Centre
Wiltshire and Swindon Biological Records Centre
Wiltshire & Swindon Biological Records Centre is the county’s local environmental records centre. We collect, collate, manage, interpret and make available detailed information on the wildlife, sites, habitats and geology…
Worcestershire Biological Records Centre
Worcestershire Biological Records Centre (WBRC) is the Local Environmental Records Centre (LERC) for Worcestershire which covers Worcester City, Bromsgrove, Malvern Hills, Redditch, Wychavon and Wyre Forest Districts and the Watsonian…
Recording the ever-changing flora and fauna of Yorkshire for over 150 years. We are an association of amateur and professional naturalists covering a wide range of aspects of natural history.…