Surveying wildlife

Putting Local Wildlife on the Map

Most people enjoy seeing wildlife; whether birds in the garden, a brown hare running across a field, bluebells in a local wood or simply the succession of wild flowers along a local lane that mark the seasons. Few people, however, keep a note of what they see and fewer still submit those records to be added to the information already held on our County’s wildlife.

It is vital for conservation that we know about local wildlife to keep in touch with how individual species and their habitats are faring. Without local people we simply would not know what wildlife is where and what is special about each place.

The following web pages have been designed to help you keep records of your local wildlife in ways which can help future conservation. Local wildlife needs a helping hand; if we are not aware of what is there it is all too easy to lose precious sites or species without anyone noticing.

Recording wildlife is a vital first step for conservation, but it is also simply great fun, both for individuals and community groups.

Take Some Advice from the Neighbours

A toad patrol, orchid count and hedgerow survey are just three examples of the case studies that can be found on this page. There are many different parishes, community groups and individuals carrying out wildlife surveys in their local area. Click here to discover some of the inspiring projects that have been going on in Norfolk.

Every Record Counts…

Don’t want to carry out a wildlife survey, just want to tell someone what you have seen in Norfolk.? Submit your wildlife sightings to Norfolk Biodiversity Information Service. Whether you have seen a house sparrow in your garden, an otter swimming in a river or a grass snake basking in the sun, every wildlife record counts.