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 CentreWednesday, April 22nd, 2026 at 6:55am
#CityNatureChallenge takes place this weekend. While we don't have many cities in Cumbria, hamlets, villages and towns can all take part! What better way to celebrate #EarthDay2026...

Find out how to take part: https://www.citynaturechallenge.org/
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreWednesday, April 22nd, 2026 at 6:42am
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreMonday, April 20th, 2026 at 3:07am
If you love trees and want to find out more about tree nurseries, join us at Tebay this Friday for a tree growing session with Growing Well! Free session - all welcome but booking is required:
https://www.ticketsource.com/cumbria-ecoskills/from-seeds-to-trees/e-zkxkza
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreThursday, April 9th, 2026 at 1:32am
What's this bird?

Okay - this is an easy one. Even with a poor photo.

But if you don't know a mallard from a moorhen or are unsure how to tell a siskin from a greenfinch, we have a short morning course for you! Come along to the Introduction to Birds session on Saturday morning for a free introduction to bird identification and find out how you can improve your birding skills.

https://www.ticketsource.com/cumbria-ecoskills/introduction-to-birds/e-gppyjb
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreTuesday, April 7th, 2026 at 6:06am
Join the 'Introduction to Birds' session this Saturday for a free course on getting started with bird identification and recording. All welcome!

https://www.ticketsource.com/cumbria-ecoskills/introduction-to-birds/e-gppyjb
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreTuesday, March 17th, 2026 at 4:53am
We have a great training session this Friday focusing on Priority Habitats - what they are and what you need to know to survey and potentially manage them. The weather is forecast to be good so why not join us to explore a range of different habitat types?

More information and to book: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/cumbria-ecoskills/identifying-priority-habitats/e-dyymjm