Help improve understanding of Fife's wildlife by recording and sharing your sightings. Every record helps build a picture of where species live and how habitats are changing over time.
Wildlife recording means taking note of the plants and animals you see in everyday life, from birds visiting your garden to plants growing in local woodlands.
Why record wildlife?
Wildlife records help us:
- understand the distribution of species and habitats
- identify rare or protected species
- monitor changes in wildlife populations
- build a better picture of Fife's biodiversity
- support conservation work
- inform planning decisions
Anyone can contribute, whether you spot wildlife in your garden, local park or countryside.
All records are important, including sightings of common species. Every record helps improve understanding of wildlife distribution and habitats across Fife.
How to record wildlife
When recording wildlife, we need to know:
- What you saw
- When you saw it
- Where you saw it, ideally with a grid reference
- Who saw it
Learning how to identify species is an important part of wildlife recording and helps make wildlife records as useful as possible. Tools and apps that suggest species can be a good starting point, but they are not always correct. Use field guides, identification resources or expert advice to help you confirm what you have seen.
To find a grid reference, you can use:
If possible, include additional information such as:
- the number seen
- behaviour
- habitat
- photographs
- whether the animal you saw was male or female
- whether it was a juvenile or an adult
- if a plant you saw was in flower
Even records of dead animals are useful in understanding species distribution and dispersal.
Submitting a wildlife record
Submit your record by either:
- using the iRecord website or app
- email: nature.info@fife.gov.uk
Find out more about submitting wildlife records.
The benefits of recording wildlife
Recording wildlife is a great reason to spend more time outdoors and connect with nature.
It can also help you develop identification and recording skills while contributing to conservation work in Fife.
Joining a wildlife group is a great way to meet local people, share knowledge and learn from experienced recorders. Many organisations also offer training and events for people looking to build their skills.
Join the Fife Recorders Group
The Fife Recorders Group is a network of local wildlife experts and recorders who help verify records, share knowledge and support wildlife recording in Fife.
The group usually meets annually to share experiences, discuss wildlife recording in Fife and help shape support for local recorders.
If you're interested in becoming involved, email nature.info@fife.gov.uk.
| Name | Taxonomic group(s) represented | Capacity on Fife Recorders Group | Web link (if applicable) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr Adrian T Sumner | Non-Marine Molluscs | Conchological Society representative in Scotland | The Conchological Society of Great Britain and Ireland |
| Allan W Brown | Wildfowl (In particular swans and geese) |
WeBS (Wetland Bird Survey) counts organiser for Fife (inland) on behalf of the BTO Lothians & Fife Swan and Goose Study Group (unofficial group linked to specific studies) | Not applicable |
| Brian H Little | Hymenoptera, with a particular interest in Aculeates (bees, wasps and ants) and Parasitica. | Expertise. Working with Mark Shaw at National Museums Scotland on the identification and re-curation of various Hymenoptera. | Not applicable |
| Bryan Smith | Small mammals - Squirrels | Fife Red Squirrel Group - Chair | Not applicable |
| Chris du Feu | Slugs | National slug verifier for iRecord and long-standing amateur slug recorder | Not applicable |
| Clare Rickerby | Bryophytes | Vice-County Recorder | The British Bryological Society |
| Elspeth Christie | Butterflies | County Recorder (Joint) (Fife and Clacks) | Butterfly Conservation, East Scotland |
| Dr Gillian J Fyfe | Butterflies | County Recorder (Joint) (Fife and Clacks) | Butterfly Conservation, East Scotland |
| Graham Sparshott | Birds | County Recorder | Fife Bird Club |
| Nigel Voaden | Moths | County Recorder | Butterfly Conservation, East Scotland |
| Paul Blackburn | Birds | BTO Regional Representative for Fife and Kinross | The BTO Regional Network |
| Ronnie Mackie | Cetaceans | Experienced recorder of Cetaceans. Volunteer for Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust and WDC (Whale and Dolphin Conservation) Shorewatch (surveying and training new volunteers) | Not applicable |
| Sandy Edwards | Vascular Plants | County Recorder | Botanical Society of Britain & Ireland |
| Simon J Hayhow | Diptera (with a wide interest in other groups) | Experience and expertise, notably as National Recorder for Larger Brachycera | Not applicable |
| Tony Wilson | Diptera (with a wide interest in other groups) | Experience and expertise, notably as National Recorder for Larger Brachycera | Not applicable |
