Recording form guidelines
The Environmental Records Centre for
Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly (ERCCIS) aims to collect
and collate records for all plant and animal species in the
county. Even information on what may be perceived as relatively
common species, such as hedgehogs and moles, is vital in order
to determine their distribution patterns and population densities.
In order to conserve and learn more about the coast and countryside,
the Records Centre aims to collect as much information as
possible on the natural environment of the county. Local recorders
are invaluable sources of information, and the Records Centre
is appealing for species records and are aiming to assist
recorders' efforts whenever possible.
In order to qualify as a record and to assist the processing
of incidental reports, a record needs to contain four vital
pieces of information. These are:
- What - the species' name (with scientific
name if possible).
- Where - location name and the grid reference
(preferably six figures or greater).
- When - a description of the location
(by the nearest village, hamlet or town).
- Who - the date that the record was taken.
In addition, information such as details of the evidence
seen or record taken, details of numbers and frequency of
the species, and details of animal breeding, where known,
as well as a description of the habitat, can all be invaluable
when considering the conservation of the species and will
enable conservationists to identify the site in the future.
Basic details
Scientific names: If you know the scientific
name for the species, please take the trouble to fill this
in as it will avoid any confusion. If you do not, then please
just fill in the common name.
Grid reference: It will be most useful if
you can give a six - or even eight - figure grid reference
for this record. If you are unsure of how to work out the
grid reference, you can contact our Information Co-ordinator
on (01872) 240777 ext 213 or e-mail at erccis@cornwt.demon.co.uk.
Failing this, please give the best description you possible
can of the location of the sighting, so that we can attribute
a grid reference from Records Centre maps.
Contact details
We may wish to contact you at a later date to make further
enquiries about this record. Please fill in your name and
address.
Further details
Number: Please state exact number of the
species seen if possible. If not, an estimate of maximum and
minimum would be helpful.
Time of day: It would be useful to note
in this box either the exact time or whether it was morning/evening
etc.
Evidence: Please detail the information
that led to this record being made. For example, seen dead,
fresh droppings, tracks or seen active.
Activity: Please state the type of activity
for example flying, resting or feeding.
Stage: We need to know as much as we can
on the stages within their life cycle of animals such as amphibians
and insects to collect information on their breeding sites.
Survey method: Please state the method used
when sighting the animal. For example, live trapping or casual
sighting. Contact us for further details if you wish to organise
a formal surveying event in your area.
Breeding: Please indicate if the species
is known to be breeding at this site and cite any evidence.
Comments: Any other information can be included
in this box. Particularly useful information would be frequency
of sighting, associated species, any peculiar characteristics,
size and sex. You can include any other information in this
box.
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