New to Wildlife Spotting? Here’s How to Get Started with the Aberdeen BioBlitz
New to wildlife spotting? Discover wildlife identification guides, recording tips & ways to submit sightings for the Aberdeen BioBlitz.
Taking part in the Aberdeen BioBlitz is a great way to explore nature, learn about local wildlife and contribute to real conservation efforts. You don’t need to be an expert to get involved. In fact, many participants are completely new to wildlife recording.
Every sighting matters, whether it’s a common blackbird in your garden, a bee visiting a flower or a butterfly in a park. The aim is to observe, enjoy, and record the wildlife you see. We’ve pulled together some handy wildlife identification guides to help you take part in the Aberdeen City Wide BioBlitz happening on the 14th August.
Don’t Worry if You Can’t Identify Everything
One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is trying to identify every plant, bird, insect and fungus they come across. There is a lot of wildlife in Aberdeen, and even experienced naturalists specialise in particular groups.
Instead, try focusing on just one type of wildlife, such as:
- Garden birds
- Bumblebees
- Butterflies
- Wildflowers
- Trees
- Insects
This makes wildlife spotting more enjoyable and helps you build your confidence.
Remember, common species are just as valuable as unusual ones. We need records of everyday wildlife to help us understand the biodiversity of Aberdeen and how it changes over time.
Handy Wildlife Identification Resources
If you’re unsure what you’ve found, these free guides can help:
- Buglife: Identify a Bug
- Butterfly Conservation: Identify a Butterfly
- Scottish Wildlife Trust: Bird Identification
- Woodland Trust Animal Identification Guides
- Bumblebee Conservation Trust Species Guide
- Plantlife Wildflower Identification Guide
Take Photos Whenever You Can
Not sure what you’ve found? Take a photo!
Photos can help experts confirm identifications later and mean you don’t have to identify everything while you’re out and about.
A few tips:
- Take more than one photo if possible.
- Get close enough to show important features.
- Photograph flowers, leaves, wings, markings or beaks where relevant.
- Make a note of where and when you saw it.
Using an app?
Many people choose to submit sightings through iRecord. If you are uploading to iRecord, please make sure your privacy settings are set to either CC BY or CC0, via the website, not the app. This allows for our volunteer verifiers to access and approve the record or help you with identification.
Need Help with Identifications?
If you’re stuck, don’t worry.
During the Aberdeen BioBlitz there will be drop-in wildlife identification sessions at the James Hutton Institute where you can:
- Bring photographs of wildlife you’ve found.
- Get help identifying species.
- Learn how to use identification guides.
- Discover useful recording apps and resources.
Whether you have one mystery bee or a whole camera roll of wildlife photos, we’d love to help.
How to Submit Your Wildlife Records to NESBReC
There are three ways to send your sightings to the North East Scotland Biological Records Centre (NESBReC):
- Online: Upload your records directly to NESBReC using their online recording form or downloadable and printable Excel recording sheet.
- In Person: Visit The James Hutton Institute hub to hand in your records and see how the data collection is progressing throughout the day
- Using a phone app: You can submit records via iRecord. You need to register and make sure your privacy settings are CC-BY or CC-0 in the settings.
However you choose to record, every observation helps us build a better picture of the wildlife living in Aberdeen.
So grab your camera or phone, head outdoors, and see what you can discover. Happy wildlife spotting! 🐝🦋🐦🌼
