.... scroll down to find answers to questions about wildlife sightings and recording wild animals and plants on the Island ... and use the right hand column to find help with identification ...
What is a wildlife record?
A wildlife record may be part of a survey of an area or site changing over time, or it may be just one sighting made of an interesting flower, insect or bird while you are out for a walk one afternoon.
Each Record has four key components:
What? Where? When? Who?
What?
The name of the species. Go here for more information on naming things.
Just want to know what something is? Can you describe it? Did you take a photo? You can get lots of help online with identification.
Where?
We need the precise location for your record to be useful. To locate on a map we need a grid reference, GPS co-ordinate, site name or a description of your location.
Please use the grid reference finder web page or the IOM Govt mapping. See here for how grid references work: link to another website.
When?
The date of your record. Easy to write down but so often forgotten. Its important because many species are only around or flowering at a particular time of year, so this may help with identification. If we get loads of records on a particular day, say of a mammal or bird we may get an idea of abundance.
Who?
You saw something so you are the 'recorder'. Someone else might have identified it, they are the 'determiner'.
We certainly need a name and contact details. But we are very concerned about data protection and we comply with GDPR. See here for more on your data protection and your rights.
This depends on your skill level. If you are an absolute beginner it is probably best to get help from the Manx Biodiversity Facebook Group. If you have a photo that will help. Alternatively, iSpot Nature will get you started, you will need a photo. Also, have a look at the websites listed on the right, these specialist groups give lots of help for identification.
The simplest thing to do is to get in touch with one of the local groups listed on this website or if you have a photo send it to one of the Facebook groups listed here. To send single species records to DEFA please download and print this PDF form.
If you want to record lots of things we recommend that you use iRecord for all your casual sightings. You will need to register online for this. A useful guide to using iRecord is here. It is easier to use on your computer first before trying the iRecord App on your smartphone.
Yes there are several local groups as well as individuals who specalise in particular species groups and may be able to help you. Find a list here and there is more information from the right-hand bar of the home page here.
It is vital that the identification is correct because the information is used to further our understanding and aid conservation.
Validation checks are made on the data, for example to check the grid reference is correct and the data was entered correctly.
Verification is the process of checking that we are happy with the identification of the species. This may take several stages. For rare species an independant specialist may check the identification. For some groups there is a local referee who will check identifications. This is why each recorder must provide a contact email so we can get back to you.
The Manx Biological Recording Partnership works towards gathering data, ensuring data flows function and information is shared, the partners are listed here. The three main partners (MNH, DEFA and MWT) work together through a steering group to manage biological data and make it available for use.
If you are a regular recorder and want to send you data to us in bulk at the end of the season we recommended that you enter the data into an Excel spreadsheet or similar (csv file). Download an example file here. Send your complete file to to Manx Biological Recording Partnership or a local specialist.
We are hoping to make provision for uploading data files to iRecord soon but suggest you get in touch first. Further info here.