Field Recorder Days are at the core of our in-person natural history event programme. The basic premise of a Field Recorder Day is simple: on each day we bring together groups of naturalists – of varying experience levels – to record biodiversity in a green space. The days are open to naturalists of all abilities, from total beginners through to experienced biological recorders, and the focus is simultaneously on recording and informal peer-to-peer learning. Each Field Recorder Day also has a taxonomic focus (for example entomology, botany or fungi) and accordingly on each day we employ a relevant specialist, whose role is to point out species to beginners and explain the features used to identify them, and provide identification support and guidance for more experienced naturalists. Over the course of each day we move around the chosen green space, surveying its different habitats and microhabitats, and recording the species we find, hopefully ending up with a nice long list of species to share with the site managers.
We recommend reading all of the content below if you are booked to attend your first Field Recorder Day with us.
For details on event specifics, such as start and finish times, meeting points, instructions for getting to the event, and toilets, please check your booking confirmation email.
What to bring
We spend most, if not all, of our time on our Field Recorder Days outside, so we highly recommend wearing clothes suitable for the unpredictable British weather. We also do a fair bit of walking around the site, so water is essential for remaining hydrated, and sturdy shoes are recommended. It is also always advisable to have sun protection on sunny days. You’ll also need to bring lunch with you (unless we are on a site that has a café).
We bring with us all the key pieces of natural history equipment, so there’s no requirement for you to bring anything special of this sort (we understand not everyone owns natural history equipment). That being said, if you do own any of the following, it is always handy to bring them with you too:
- A hand lens – x10 is suitable for looking at most things (we have a stock of these for those that don’t have one).
- Field guides – any field guides that you have for the target species group are invaluable. We may bring along a few fold-out guides for beginners, but we are limited in what we can carry on the day.
For our invertebrate-focused events, you may also want to bring the following:
- Insect net – we bring a limited number available to use, having your own is handy (and means you don’t have to share!)
- Specimen tubes – these can be plastic or glass and come in a range of sizes (again, we’ll have some for you to borrow if you don’t have any).
Recording your wildlife observations
Although developing natural history skills, meeting fellow naturalists and simply having fun are all important aspects of our Field Recorder Days, the main aim of these events is to generate biodiversity data that can be used for conservation. Accordingly, we encourage all our participants to actively get involved in the generation and/or submission of data.
We have chosen to use iRecord as our biological recording platform of choice for all of our Field Recorder Days. iRecord enables us to collate all of the data in one place, while also enabling easiest access to the data for National Recording Schemes/Societies (e.g. the Bees, Wasps and Ants Recording Scheme, or the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland) and Local Environmental Record Centres (e.g. Greenspace Information for Greater London).
During a Field Recorder Day, you can contribute your data to iRecord in one of two ways:
- Use the iRecord smartphone app on the day to submit records with photos.
- Contribute to handwritten species lists compiled by group leaders on the day. These lists are later digitised and submitted to iRecord via the website.
If you would like to use the iRecord app and have not used it before, please see the instructions below to get your account set up ahead of the event.
Once set up on iRecord, the easiest way to record your wildlife sightings for the Field Recorder Day is by going to the ‘Record’ tab and then selecting ‘Enter a list of records’. Complete one of these forms for each of the grid references you make records within. If you need help with grid references, please speak to the group leaders on the day.
The relevant location name to use with your records will have been provided in the post-event emails sent to you via Eventbrite (email titles containing ‘SUBMIT YOUR RECORDS’ or ‘FINAL CALL FOR RECORDS’).
Alternatively, you can also submit records individually on iRecord by using the ‘Enter a casual record’ form. If you are affiliated with it already, you are also welcome to use the London Natural History Society iRecord activity, though this is not required.
For more information on using iRecord please see our iRecord: An Introduction guidance page.
Once uploaded to iRecord, records are available for specialist verifiers to review. Verifiers for different groups have different protocols for assessing records. Submitting photos is really helpful for these verifiers when assessing your record, so we strongly advise submitting photos as part of your records where possible. Not all of our records will meet the criteria set by verifiers, so please don’t be offended or disheartened if any of your records are queried or rejected – this doesn’t mean they are incorrect, just that the verifier can’t confirm the record is correct based on the evidence provided. You can help verifiers further by including information such as the guide or features you used to reach your determination, and acknowledging that a specialist or group leader confirmed your ID where relevant.
New to biological recording? Check out our Biological Recording: An Introduction guidance page. You might also find useful the following two Field Studies Guidance Notes, which were produced by the FSC BioLinks project and provide useful introductions to both biological recording and grid references.
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Learn to record wildlife with iRecord
Understanding what makes a good biological record is only the first step. The next stage is learning how to submit your records so they can contribute to biological recording schemes, conservation projects and scientific research.
Our iRecord 101 online training course provides a practical introduction to using the iRecord platform. You’ll learn how to create and manage records, add photographs and locations, submit observations for verification, and make the most of iRecord’s features with confidence.
You’ll learn how to:
- Learn what biological recording is and how it supports wildlife research, conservation, citizen science, and environmental decision-making.
- Understand how the iRecord platform works, and confidently submit, manage, and share species records.
- Gain practical skills in collecting high-quality wildlife data, including what information to record, how to ensure accuracy, and how to avoid common mistakes.
- Develop confidence in using recording apps and tools, understanding verification processes, and contributing reliable data to recording schemes and conservation projects.
