Biological records provide information on the location and status of habitats and species. A biological record consists of a minimum of the ‘4 Ws’:
Accurate biological records are crucial to inform whether nature reserve management practises are effectively improving habitats for notable species present on a reserve. Regular surveying of species on Essex Wildlife Trust nature reserves is carried out by nature reserve wardens, conservation staff and volunteers, enabling changes in species distributions and populations to be monitored.
Volunteers are encouraged to get involved in recording through the annual survey programme; and can build their survey and identification skills on Essex Wildlife Trust training days. You can also tell us about the species that you have seen while out and about on our nature reserves by:
• Printing out the Essex Wildlife Trust reserve recording form and posting it back to us with your records.
• Downloading the Essex Wildlife Trust recording spreadsheet and emailing it back to us with your records.
If you would like a map of a nature reserve to help with your recording, please contact records@essexwt.org.uk
Downloads
Essex Wildlife Trust reserve recording form
Essex Wildlife Trust recording spreadsheet