Recording Wildlife

Tullie House museum has been cataloguing Cumbria's wildlife for over 100 years. CBDC's predecessor, the Natural History Records Bureau, was established in 1902 and is the oldest record centre in the country!

Alongside the museum's impressive collection of specimens, CBDC holds over 2.6 million wildlife records, many of which were gathered by independent recorders and members of the public. Our wildlife data is used by everyone from local researchers and students, to national policy-makers and environmental planners. By recording wildlife in Cumbria you help continue this important work and century-old tradition.

Submit a Record Tell us about what you have seen to help build up a comprehensive picture of Cumbia’s biodiversity.
Surveys If you have a passion for a particular group of plants or aninmals why not get involved in a national or local survey?
Getting Started If you are interested in wildlife and are considering recording read this section or contact our Recording Officer.
Resources CBDC has many online and practical resources including books and equipment to help you record.
Local Recording Groups There are a range of geographical and taxonomic groups who regularly meet in Cumbria. Joining a local recording group can help improve your recording skills through lectures and field trips.
Responsible Recording It is important to understand the law and be safe whilst you are enjoying your Recording.

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 CentreTuesday, September 16th, 2025 at 11:47pm
The last CBDC recording day of 2025 takes place on Thursday 9th October @WatchtreeNatureReserve near Carlisle. CBDC will be on site 10am-4pm so please do come along to take part in wildlife recording. Whether you are new to recording wildlife or very experienced, you will be very welcome!

We'll start the session with an introduction to Watchtree. At 2pm, there is a wildlife recording workshop and walk - please book this via the Watchtree website. Otherwise, do drop by to have a go.

More information here: https://www.cbdc.org.uk/get-involved/recording-days/
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreTuesday, September 2nd, 2025 at 5:01am
There are still places on the upcoming session "Creating Self-Guided Walks" at Orton Market Hall on 14th September (morning only). If you are interested in how to create such walks - for websites, blogs, for local community groups, for visitors - do come along. Open to all - land managers, farmers, community groups, individuals.

See you there!

https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/cumbria-ecoskills

#biodiversity #walking #access #walkinginnature #wildliferecording
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreTuesday, August 19th, 2025 at 11:30pm
We have two informative Cumbria Ecoskills training sessions coming up in September - open to all with an interest in the topics:
- Sunday 14th September: creating self-guided walks (for anyone who wants to encourage your local community to explore existing walks in your area)
- Saturday 20th September: an introduction to wildlife gardening (includes a plant which participants will pot up).

Find out more about both courses here: https://www.cbdc.org.uk/get-involved/cumbria-ecoskills/
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreFriday, August 15th, 2025 at 6:27am
We've just sent out our August newsletter - packed with Cumbrian wildlife recording and nature-related information.

If you haven't subscribed, you can still pick it up from our website - see the 'newsletter' page!
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreMonday, June 30th, 2025 at 1:47am
We're looking for a Seasonal Field Officer to join the County Wildlife Sites Project team - could this be you?
Applications must be received by 9am tomorrow (1st July).

https://www.cbdc.org.uk/about-us/job-vacancies/
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreSunday, June 29th, 2025 at 9:35pm
Thank you to everyone who took part in Cumbria Wild Watch 2025! Without records from individual recorders, our understanding of the wildlife of Cumbria would be far less complete.

#CumbriaWildWatch #Cumbria #30dayswild