City Nature Challenge 2026: Aberdeen

Join the Aberdeen City Nature Challenge from 24th to 27th April 2026 to help put North East Scotland’s biodiversity on the map.

Help put North East Scotland’s Wildlife on the Map

North East Scotland is home to incredible biodiversity, but it needs your help to record it.

From 24–27 April 2026, Aberdeen will be taking part in the global City Nature Challenge. A global wildlife recording event where everyone is encouraged to photograph and record nature using the free iNaturalist app. Whether you’re a seasoned naturalist or someone who simply enjoys spotting birds, plants or insects on your daily walk, your observations make a real difference.

This year’s Aberdeen event is being organised by a University of Aberdeen PhD student, the team at Greyhope Bay, and Friends of St Fittick’s Park, with support from NESBiP. Together, we’re working to inspire more people across the city to get outside, explore nature, and help build a stronger picture of local biodiversity.

📆  24th – 27th April 2026
🕐  Starts at 00:00 on 24th and ends at 23:59 on the 27th
📍 Anywhere in the Aberdeen City limits

🌿 Why Take Part?

Biological recording helps show what wildlife lives around us and supports local conservation, planning and community projects. Your sightings help build a clearer picture of nature across Aberdeen — from the coast at Greyhope Bay to parks, gardens and urban greenspaces.

Anyone can join in: plants, insects, birds, lichens, fungi — if it’s living, you can record it.

📱 How to Join

  1. Download iNaturalist
  2. Create a free account (make sure to include your full name)
  3. Join City Nature Challenge 2026: Aberdeen
  4. Record wildlife between 24–27 April
  5. Upload your photos
  6. Or join a guided event

Program of Guided Events happening around Aberdeen

More information on what events are happening is to be shared soon.

Make sure your data is useable.

iNaturalist is great for learning, 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 North East Scotland Biological Records Centre (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 website (not the app):
    Profile → Edit Account Settings → Project Settings → Licensing
    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.

 

Join In and Make Your Record Count

Help showcase the incredible wildlife of Aberdeen and support conservation across North East Scotland.

👉 City Nature Challenge 2026 Aberdeen
https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/city-nature-challenge-2026-aberdeen

Find out more about biological recording

More Projects

See All Projects