Category Archives: Biological recording

The Fungus Verification Consultation Project

The Biological Recording Company and the British Mycological Society are reviewing how fungi records in the Fungal Records Database of Britain and Ireland are verified and shared. Recorders are invited to join an online survey and workshop to help shape a new national verification protocol for fungal data in the UK.

Wild Tolworth Biological Recording

As part of the Wild Tolworth project, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Biological Recording Company ran seven Field Recorder Days at Tolworth Court Farm in 2024 and 2025. Across these events, 186 participants generated 825 biological records across various species, including pollinators, grasses, dragonflies, fungi, and beetles.

Southwark Biological Recording Project

Between June and October 2025, the Biological Recording Company delivered 5 training and recording events in Southwark, focusing on bees, beetles, botany, and earthworms. Participants worked together to generate numerous new species records, including 384 beetle occurrences, 577 plant records, and 55 earthworm records.

Recording Plant Galls at Lesnes Abbey Woods

Discover what was found during the 2025 Plant Gall Field Recorder Day at Lesnes Abbey Woods in this blog. Led by gall specialist Tommy Root, 17 participants explored the ancient woodland to identify and document plant galls created by a variety of species. By the end, the group had recorded 44 gall-causing species and collected 187 individual records, adding valuable data to local biodiversity monitoring.

Recording London’s Fungi

In October 2025, we ran two Fungi Field Recorder Days in London at Tolworth Court Farm and Lesnes Abbey Woods. A fascinating diversity of fungi were found – from boletes to brackets and inkcaps to staghorns. The events generated valuable new biological records for these precious green spaces, and promoted mycology and biodiversity appreciation among participants.

Recording Beetles at Hogsmill Valley

Sixteen keen naturalists joined beetle expert Wil Heeney to explore the hidden wildlife of the Hogsmill Valley. Together they uncovered 89 species, from glittering soldier beetles to the dazzling Rose Chafer. The biggest surprise? Two rare leafhoppers never before recorded in London—proof that this chalk-stream corridor is bursting with life.

British Springtails: How Many Species Really Are There?

James McCulloch (National Springtail Recorder) discusses the constantly increasing species list for UK Collembola.