Non-native species information portal
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Recording
With the development of online recording sites and smartphone apps it is now easier than ever for anyone to provide useful biological records of non-native species. Non-native species records help us to understand how many of these species are present in Britain, and the rate at which they are spreading.
Where to send your records
You can record any non-native species online through iRecord (external link). Please include a photograph of your sighting if you have one to help with identification.
Species to record
It is particularly important to record alert species as early identification of these could help to prevent future problems from developing.
Current alerts include:
Vertebrates
- American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus)
- Black Bullhead (Ameiurus melas)
- Monk Parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus)
- Raccoon (Procyon lotor)
- Raccoon Dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides)
- Ruddy duck (Oxyura jamaicensis)
- Sacred Ibis (Threskiornis aethiopicus)
- Siberian Chipmunk (Tamias sibiricus)
- Topmouth Gudgeon (Pseudorasbora parva)
- American Lobster (Homarus americanus)
- Asian Hornet (Vespa velutina)
- Japanese sting winkle (Ocenebra inornata)
- Marbled crayfish (Procambarus fallax)
Smartphone apps
There are a number of iPhone and Android apps that can be used to record particular species.
Asian Hornet Watch (external link)
Asian Hornet Watch was developed by the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology to help monitor for the Asian hornet, an invasive predator of honey bees and other insects. Use the app to browse photo galleries and key identification information for this and similar species, and submit possible records quickly to help prevent it from becoming established.
To download the app, search Asian Hornet Watch on Google Play (external link) or the App Store (external link).
Asian Hornet Watch was developed by the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology to help monitor for the Asian hornet, an invasive predator of honey bees and other insects. Use the app to browse photo galleries and key identification information for this and similar species, and submit possible records quickly to help prevent it from becoming established.
To download the app, search Asian Hornet Watch on Google Play (external link) or the App Store (external link).
Conker tree science leaf watch (external link)
Leaf Watch was developed by the Universities of Bristol and Hull to help scientists monitor the spread of an invasive leaf mining moth causing harm to Conker trees.
Leaf Watch was developed by the Universities of Bristol and Hull to help scientists monitor the spread of an invasive leaf mining moth causing harm to Conker trees.
Tree Alert
Britain's trees are under unprecedented threat from new pests and diseases. Help the Forestry Commission to identify trees that might have problems - particularly ash, oak, horse chestnut, pine or spruce trees - so they can find out more or take appropriate action.
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Britain's trees are under unprecedented threat from new pests and diseases. Help the Forestry Commission to identify trees that might have problems - particularly ash, oak, horse chestnut, pine or spruce trees - so they can find out more or take appropriate action.
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Other recording schemes
- Termite monitoring - submit records of termites
- Turtle Tally - recording turtle and terrapin sightings
- Plant Alert - help to prevent future invasions by recording plants which are a problem in your garden
- - submit records to the national monitoring project
I can't submit my alert species records online or through an app
If you are unable to upload your alert species records online, you can or post to:
The Biological Records Centre
CEH Wallingford
Maclean Building
Crowmarsh Gifford
Wallingford
Oxfordshire
OX10 8BB
The Biological Records Centre
CEH Wallingford
Maclean Building
Crowmarsh Gifford
Wallingford
Oxfordshire
OX10 8BB
Looking to get more involved in identifying and recording wildlife?
If you get involved in the recording schemes above and enjoy looking for non-native species, you may become interested in recording other wildlife. If so, take a look at iSpot (external link), a website aimed at helping anyone identify anything in nature.
Once registered, you can add an observation to the website, suggest an identification yourself, or see if anyone else can identify it for you. Take a look and get more involved in recording wildlife today!
Once registered, you can add an observation to the website, suggest an identification yourself, or see if anyone else can identify it for you. Take a look and get more involved in recording wildlife today!
