Data Request Form Guidance

Section 1. Organisational details

If appropriate: Seek authorisation. If the enquiry is on behalf of another organisation with whom we have a Service Level Agreement (SLA), please seek the appropriate authorisation (your organisation will know the person to contact) and include a copy of the email/letter with your enquiry.

Section 2. Site details

Include the OS grid reference. Put the Ordnance Survey grid reference for the centre of the site on the form. Grab a Grid Reference or other online resources can be used to obtain the grid reference for your location.
If you have supplied the incorrect grid reference and we carry out the search using it you will be charged.

Optional: Include a map/layer of your site. A map showing the boundary of the site clearly marked will help us double check the grid reference you have given. A GIS layer (shapefile, Mapinfo or Google Earth file) if available, is very useful particularly for large or complex areas.

Section 3. Data required

Clearly indicate which search reports you require by ticking the boxes.
State the required search radius (buffer size) around the site for the search. Buffers are important both to highlight nearby species that may also be present on the site and also because the grid reference of the species record may be imprecise.  A 2km buffer will be assumed if this is left blank.

Section 4. Data use

This is to help us analyse how CBDC information is being used.

Section 5. – Confirmation of quote required or work to go ahead

Refer to our charging policy information. Most searches are covered by our standard charge, but large, linear or complex searches may incur an extra levy.

If you require a quote before we undertake the work then please tick the appropriate part of the form.

If you have requested a quote or the charge differs from our standard charges, we will email you a quote and wait for you to give the go ahead before proceeding.

Optional: Request a rapid response to prioritise your request. This is usually a same-day turn around but please contact us to check if this is important to you. Otherwise, work is carried out on a first-come first-served basis. A levy of 20% is applied for prioritised requests. Please ensure you check the box on the form if this is what you require.

Section 6. – Terms and conditions

Please read and tick when understood.
Completed forms and any queries should be forwarded to our Data Manager.

What Next?

Search reports are emailed to you within ten days of CBDC receiving the confirmation to go ahead with the work.  If you report does not reach you then please contact our Data Manager to check when you results were sent.

Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre

The Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre at Tullie House Museum, Carlisle keeps wildlife information for the county of Cumbria. Tullie House Museum, in its role as a local natural history museum, has collected and disseminated records of wildlife in Cumbria since its inception in 1893. From the early 1990s the Museum has developed a computerised database of species and habitat records in Cumbria and has taken the central role in providing a local biodiversity data service for the county. This role was restyled as Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre (CBDC) in 2010, a not-for-profit organisation hosted by Tullie House Museum and advised by local stakeholders.
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreMonday, December 15th, 2025 at 11:11pm
Join our first winter webinar this evening at 7pm:

Recording winter birds with Martin Harris, CBDC Recording Officer.

Mulled wine and mince pie optional but very welcome!

Sign up for free here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/cumbria-ecoskills/recording-winter-birds/e-qgerqp
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreMonday, December 15th, 2025 at 7:20am
CBDC's Challenge 365 is returning in 2026!

If you are looking for a challenge which will do something positive for nature, this is for you.

All you have to do is observe something. Every day. For one year. And tell us what you have seen.

https://www.cbdc.org.uk/recording-wildlife/challenge-365/
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreTuesday, December 9th, 2025 at 8:00am
Join us this time next week for a #webinar exploring winter birds in Cumbria. CBDC Recording Officer, Martin Harris, will talk about the species you can see across the county and how to record them. All welcome for the 7-8pm session!

Book your free place here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/cumbria-ecoskills/recording-winter-birds/e-qgerqp
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreTuesday, December 9th, 2025 at 1:00am
#Raise Cumbria Community Forest are launching a neuroaffirming volunteer programme this January - and there are still a few days left to sign up. Find out more here:
https://www.raisecumbria.co.uk/volunteer

CBDC will be taking part with an introduction to wildlife recording!
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreWednesday, December 3rd, 2025 at 5:25am
Are you a farmer or landowner interested in recording the wildlife on your land holding? Information collected can support payment applications and other funding possibilities as well as new business opportunities (farm safaris?!). And can demonstrate the amazing work you are doing....

Join the free Cumbria Ecoskills session on 18th Feb to find out more.

https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/cumbria-ecoskills/recording-wildlife-for-farmers-and-landowners/e-xoozqx
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreMonday, December 1st, 2025 at 3:18am
Can we start talking about Christmas presents now?!

Get something that will create new skills and potentially open new doors for you friend, family member or work colleague - a very cost effective place on a Cumbria Ecoskills session!

Hedges can be planted in many different environments - from farms to parks and gardens as well as community spaces. Learn the art of laying a hedge in this introductory session with expert hedgelayer, Lee Bassett. Or treat someone to a new skill!

https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/cumbria-ecoskills/hedgelaying-workshop/e-ermbox