North East Scotland Biological Records Centre (NESBReC)

What does NESBReC do?

NESBReC maintains a database of biodiversity information and makes these data available to partners, decision makers, education and conservation bodies and the wider community.

NESBReC promotes, encourages and co-ordinates biological recording across North East Scotland, providing support and guidance for biological recorders and arranging training

What records does NESBReC hold?

NESBReC holds over 2.8 million individual species records (as of June 2024). These records can be of any type of wildlife, from a common mammal or bird to a rare lichen or fungus. NESBReC shares records with national recording schemes and the NBN Atlas which is a UK database for biodiversity.

Sending in records to NESBReC

NESBReC welcomes receiving sightings from members of the public.  The sightings simply need to be from the North East of Scotland and should be of species that the recorder can confidently identify. Every record is important. While rare species may be more interesting to find and report, it is very important to record common species too since they may well be under-recorded.

All records that are submitted help to build up a more comprehensive understanding of our local biodiversity and can help ensure that decisions that may affect habitat and species in the North East of Scotland are made with the best available knowledge.

A Common Blue butterfly (Polyommatus icarus) resting on a Clustered Bellflower at St Cyrus NNR ©Lorne Gill/NatureScot

Submit your records in a number of ways. You can send a simple email to NESBReC (nesbrec@aberdeenshire.gov.uk) with the required four pieces of information.

• WHAT species you saw
• WHERE you saw it
• WHEN you saw it
• WHO saw it

You can use the online form on the NESBReC website.

However, if you collate a lot of records the best way to submit them is on an Excel spreadsheet – try logging your records as you see them on a spreadsheet and send it to NESBReC every few months or even annually.  An Excel template can be downloaded from their website.

NESBReC can also help you identify the wildlife around you. You can send in any photos for identification – you never know what you might find!

Make sure your data is useable is using iRecord or iNaturalist.

iRecord and iNaturalist are great for learning and ease of submitting data, but by default the data is not always accessible for biological records centres or planning use. With a few simple steps, you can make sure your observations are more likely to reach NESBReC and support real conservation decisions.

• Use your real name. 
  Helps NESBReC validate and use your records.
• Always attach a photo.
  Records without photos rarely reach Research Grade.
• Choose the right licence (CC0 or CC‑BY).
  On the iNaturalist and iRecord website (not the app):
  iNaturalist – Profile → Edit Account Settings → Project Settings → Licensing
  iRecord – My Account → Edit → Scroll to licence for your photos and other media
• Select CC0 or CC‑BY and apply to all previous records.
• Add extra details.
  e.g. insect life stage, plant flowering status, habitat notes.
• Sensitive species.
  For records such as badger, otter, or nesting birds of prey, send them directly to NESBReC rather than uploading publicly.

For further details contact:

North East Scotland Biological Records Centre (NESBReC), Natural Environment Team, Environment & Sustainability, Environment and Infrastructure Services, Aberdeenshire Council.

Tel: 01467 537221 or 01467 534257
email: nesbrec@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

Follow them on Facebook to keep updated on news and events: https://www.facebook.com/NESBReC

 

 

Participants can feel a greater sense of connectivity with their environment and can also learn more about the range of wildlife that shares the same space

NESBReC Event at Crathes