Using wildlife records to save nature

“When a glossy leaflet dropped onto my doormat, depicting my favourite wildlife site with dozens of houses and roads superimposed onto it, my world was shattered. The unthinkable had happened: it had been targeted for a big housing development.”

Mark, a lifelong birder and wildlife lover, had been documenting the species on this patch for eight years. A mosaic of farmland, hedgerows and scrub bordering his garden was now under threat. 

“Most of the species I knew were present, even whole groups such as butterflies and moths, didn’t appear to feature in surveys that had been done. I knew of more than 1,000 different species using the area, so it was time to make my records count and add vital missing information.” 
 
To be picked up on searches during the planning process, records need to be in the right places and the right format. Mark’s records, like many of those belonging to wildlife enthusiasts, were handwritten and documented across a selection of field journals. 
 
“I had thousands of wildlife records from every week, month and season across an eight-year period. I knew how the Badgers (which I knew individually) used the area, where birds nested and fed and what insects were found and when.”  
 
Mark quickly realised he needed to get his data into the planning process fast. Most importantly, he knew it was best to focus on Red and Amber-listed birds and other Priority Species that carry weight in planning. With records for around 50 Priority Species on site, including butterflies, mammals, wildflowers, moths and birds, it was time to make them count.  

Having worked in conservation professionally for 25 years, Mark’s records were known to be reliable. Many had been submitted to county recorders and recording schemes, but in planning, the ‘must-have’ is to have them with your Local Environmental Records Centre (LERC). Here, they are available for developers and ecologists to access and use.   
 
Find yours https://www.alerc.org.uk/ 

“I spent weeks inputting my sightings into the template recording spreadsheets for my LERC after getting in touch for advice. My top tips are submit your sightings instantly (or at least yearly) and an accurate grid reference is vital for recording sightings.” 
 
Another useful tool in Mark’s planning toolbox was the iRecord app. Records can be submitted in an accessible digital format, added to species distribution maps, can be ‘verified’ by experts and are available for anyone to see and filter. Many records make their way to LERCs from iRecord.   
 
“Thanks to iRecord’s mobile app, I now input sightings in ‘real time’ wherever I am, in a matter of seconds, where they are ready to help in future planning matters.” 

Using his extensive records and knowledge of the wildlife in the area, Mark wrote a Biodiversity Action Plan for his local area and the wildlife section of the Neighbourhood Plan. 

“Many Parish Councils are grateful for wildlife expertise, so get in touch with yours. Mine was astonished at how much wildlife was in the Parish.”   
 
This story has a happy ending! Not long after he wrote this case study, Mark received the very welcome news that the planning application had been withdrawn.