Responsible Recording

Recording, or biological data collecting is, for many of us, an enjoyable part of our lives, and the resulting data has many important uses for science, conservation, planning, and informing the development of policies and legislation.

However, if recording is not carried out responsibly, your presence and activities can have a serious, negative impact on the environment and the wildlife you are interested in. You should also consider the needs of landowners, farmers, livestock, and other people who visit, live and work in the countryside.

Knowledge and implementation of the information below will enable all recorders, novice and expert, to act responsibly and as ambassadors of good practice to others.

These policies and codes have been developed and based on sound research and experience over many years. As a photographer or birder how many times have you tried to get the perfect shot, or confirmed identification, by getting too close to your subject? Such disturbance can often affect breeding success, or finding enough food to survive the night. It might cause tired migrants to move on to less suitable habitats when they need to shelter, rest or feed.

Codes of Practice

All users of the countryside:
Countryside Code

Birdwatchers:
Bird Watchers’ Code (BTO, .PDF)

Wildlife photographers:
Photography and the Law (RSPB, .PDF)

Butterfly enthusiasts:
Collecting, breeding and photography (Butterfly Conservation, .PDF)

Advice for Dog Walkers

Dog disturbance has been researched and scientifically proven to cause breeding failure and desertion by wildlife of otherwise suitable habitat. Roosting waders have been shown to be critically affected by dog walkers as they are constantly moved on along the beach. Cumulative minor disturbances have been proven to be more detrimental than single large events, and as the population increases and suitable habitat is lost these pressures are compounded.

Scottish Outdoor Access Code for dog walkers 

Rare Breeding Birds

If you discover a rare bird, particularly a breeding species, think carefully about who you inform. Large numbers of visitors wanting to see the unusual sight might cause breeding failure or criminals may steal eggs or young.

Reporting Birds to RBBP (.PDF)

Health and Safety

When venturing out make sure you are fit enough for your chosen activity: tiredness causes poor decision making. Make sure you are properly equipped and know how to use it. The weather in Cumbria can change very quickly: make sure you have clothing for all likely eventualities. Make sure you can navigate ,and don’t rely on electronic navaids such as GPS and smartphones which are prone to failure. A map and compass is far more reliable. Be tick aware!

Mountain Rescue Safety Advice
BTO’s Health and Safety for Volunteer Surveyors
Lyme Disease Action
Tick and Lyme Disease advice (.PDF)

Know the Law

Rare species and those particularly prone to disturbance are protected by wildlife legislation. Make sure you know the law with regard to your target area or species before you leave home.

Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000

Wildlife Crime Reporting

If you suspect someone is committing a wildlife offence you can report it to the Cumbria Police by telephoning 101 or file a non-urgent crime via the link below.

Cumbria Police Wildlife Crime

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, April 1st, 2025 at 10:59pm
CBDC will be speaking at Bothel Community Wildlife Group next Tuesday, 8th April, ahead of the Bioblitz in May. Come along to find out more about recording, what makes a good record, how records are used to inform decision making across the county and what tools are available to help you on your recording journey! Naturalist Polly Pullar will be the main speaker of the evening....
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreMonday, March 31st, 2025 at 9:47pm
Looking forward to speaking @Tullie Lunchtime Talk today!
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreFriday, March 28th, 2025 at 10:55pm
First bluebell of the year!
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreFriday, March 28th, 2025 at 4:39am
We'll be speaking about Cumbria Wild Watch at the next @Tullie Free Lunchtime Talk so come along to find out more! 1pm on 1st April

Book your free place: https://tullie.org.uk/events/cumbria-wild-watch-free-lunchtime-talk/
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreTuesday, March 25th, 2025 at 10:02pm
The countdown to Cumbria Wild Watch 2025 begins today!

In three months time, the largest community science survey in Cumbria will take place. You can get involved by recording all the wildlife you see between 26-29 June 2025. So mark this weekend on your calendars and watch out for more information of how to take part over the coming weeks.
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreTuesday, March 25th, 2025 at 12:31am
It is officially spring and we are now looking forward to our recording days (and bioblitzes) this year. The programme is on our website and you can book a place/express an interest in attending these events - all are welcome to come along and practice your wildlife recording skills.

https://www.cbdc.org.uk/get-involved/recording-days/

More events will be added as they are confirmed.