Recorders’ Conference 2020

Thank you to all attendees, speakers, recorders, societies, and everyone involved with organising the conference, for contributing to a wonderful day.

Our 2020 Recorders’ Conference was a resounding success, with the highest number of attendees in recent years and guests traveling from far and wide.

“The day was very well organised, I wouldn’t change a thing.”

– H. P.

“The balance between talks and informal gatherings (breaks and lunch) was just right.”

– M. C.

“All together, a nature wonderland.”

– H. L.

In addition to this very encouraging feedback, recorders have requested talks on hoverflies, molluscs, and beetles for next year. If these are your areas of expertise and you’re interested in speaking at our 2021 conference, please contact Stuart.

Download or View Presentations

Below are some of the presentations (PDF) from the day.

‘Recording Recovery – biological recording for a Wilder Future’,  Steve Garland, Chair of The Wildlife Trusts England Committee

Plantlife’s LOST Legacy,  April Windle, LOST Officer, Plantlife

Cumbria Dragonfly Atlas. David Clarke, British Dragonfly Society & Moustafa Eweda, CBDC

Pink-Footed Geese. Frank Mawby, Carlisle Natural History Society

Recording the county’s flora since 2000. Mike Porter, Cumbria Botany

Recording Days 2019 Review. Stuart Colgate, CBDC

Additional Links and Recording Group Info

Groups

Carlisle Natural History Society programme
See 2020 programme (via CNHS website)

Cumbria Botany group
See 2020 programme (via Cumbria Botany website)

Cumbria Lichen Group

–  via Cumbria Lichen Facebook page

Cumbria Bryology Group

via Cumbria Bryology Facebook page

Cumbria Amphibian and Reptile Group
Visit website

Please contact us if you’re interested in working with CBDC.

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, 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
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreThursday, March 12th, 2026 at 2:50am
There are two Cumbria Ecoskills courses next week focusing on understanding habitats and habitat surveying:
- Habitat Surveying (using UKHab) on 19 March at Loweswater
- Priority Habitats on 20 March at Threlkeld

Still places available if you would like to expand your habitat knowledge!

https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/cumbria-ecoskills
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreFriday, March 6th, 2026 at 7:40am
At last weekend's Cumbria Recorders' Conference, we were privileged to premiere a short film by University of Cumbria Wildlife Media students Victoria, Ryan, Jack and co to celebrate the role of volunteer wildlife recorders in Cumbria and our 15th anniversary. We hope you enjoy it!

https://vimeo.com/1171115443?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci