Other Data Sources

To improve our data services, we work with local and national schemes to incorporate their records into the our database.

For some research projects and major developments it will be appropriate to contact such organisations separately. Please check the data licence when using any biological information as not all data providers give permission to use their records for research or commercial purposes.

We do not hold complete copies of all datasets relating to Cumbria, particularly formal recording and monitoring schemes. Some of this information is available from the NBN Atlas.  Please note we do not currently search the NBN as part of our data searches service.

Other data sources include:

The Wetland Bird Survey The primary source of detailed bird monitoring data on wetlands, including Cumbria’s significant estuaries and lakes.
British Trust for Ornithology Breeding Bird Survey and other bird surveys.
Walney Bird Observatory A long-running bird ringing station on Walney island in the south-west of Cumbria and also collates all bird records on the island.
BSBI Cumbria Botany Group Tetrad records post Flora of Cumbria (1996).
Cumbria Bird Club Records outside main atlas recording surveys.
Cumberland Bat Group May hold some extra records.
National Bat Monitoring Programme The Bat Conservation Trust may hold some extra records.
Bees, Wasps and Ants Recording Society (BWARS) For bees, wasp and ants national records

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, June 15th, 2026 at 3:00am
We published our latest newsletter last week, with recent news and upcoming events highlighted. Sign up to receive future newsletters direct to your inbox (one every two months) or visit our newsletter page to read online:
https://www.cbdc.org.uk/about-us/newsletters/

Can you spot the ID error in the newsletter? We'll provide a correction in the next newsletter.....
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreSunday, June 7th, 2026 at 10:06pm
Calling all #CumbriaEcoskills participants!

Friends of the Lake District are running two hedgerow survey training events this week - anyone interested in learning how to survey hedgerows are welcome to attend:

9 June hedgerow survey training day @ Craketrees Farm (use what3words address to navigate): https://www.friendsofthelakedistrict.org.uk/event/hedgerow-survey-morning-9-june/

13 June hedgerow survey training day @ Rigghead Farm (use what3words address to navigate): https://www.friendsofthelakedistrict.org.uk/event/hedgerow-survey-morning-13-june/
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreTuesday, May 26th, 2026 at 3:43am
One place has come up on the mock Field Identification Skills Certificate session this Friday. An excellent trial run before the real thing on 29th July!

Book a place on the mock: https://www.ticketsource.com/cumbria-ecoskills/field-identification-skills-certificate-mock-test/e-zeevea

Book a place on the #CWT / #BSBI #FISC on 29th July: https://www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk/events/2026-07-29-field-identification-skills-certificate
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreWednesday, May 20th, 2026 at 11:15pm
Tickets are still available for our two penultimate #Cumbria #Ecoskills sessions:
- Introduction to Bees, Friday 22nd May at Orton
- Introduction to Moths, Saturday 23rd May at Houghton, Carlisle.

So for a last chance to improve your identification skills this summer, come and join us!

https://www.ticketsource.com/cumbria-ecoskills
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreSunday, May 17th, 2026 at 10:28pm
Want to find out more about bees and how to identify them? Join us on Friday for a short course called 'Introduction to #Bees'.

This free session takes place 10am-1pm in Orton.

Book now: https://www.ticketsource.com/cumbria-ecoskills/introduction-to-bees/e-zeeoxr
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreFriday, May 15th, 2026 at 10:23pm
Love small mammals but not sure how to tell a vole from a shrew or a mouse?

Join our short course 'Introduction to Small #Mammals' tomorrow.

Free session, 10am-3pm. Last few places remaining!

https://www.ticketsource.com/cumbria-ecoskills/introduction-to-small-mammals/e-qmmdve