TVERC’s species database holds over 5 million species records across Berkshire and Oxfordshire. These records help inform conservation efforts, planning decisions and our understanding of how nature is changing over time.
Despite the efforts of the wildlife recording community, some areas still have few or no records, while others are well recorded. We are grateful for all the work already done, but we need your help to record wildlife in under-recorded areas. What we know depends heavily on:
- Who sends in the records
- What species they choose to record
- Where they go recording
For this reason, we’ve launched ‘Help Us Fill the Species Gaps’. Using our interactive map, you can explore under recorded 1km squares across Berkshire and Oxfordshire and choose one to visit. You don't need to be an expert and you don't need to find anything rare
What you can do
If you live near a poor recorded square or simply enjoy exploring, you can make a real contribution to local conservation by recording what you see there.
- Any species counts: common or rare, plant or animal
- Even absences help: telling us what isn’t present is valuable too
- Every record improves our understanding of the natural environment
Your sightings help build a more complete picture of local biodiversity and support better ecological decision‑making. Find out more about how to share you records here.
Guidelines
Please remember:
- Stay on public rights of way unless you have permission to enter private land
- Let someone know where you are going
- Be aware of your surroundings and stay safe
While we are currently focusing on records from areas where we are lacking records, you are welcome to submit any sightings from across Berkshire and Oxfordshire.
Why we need data
We need high-resolution, quality-assured, and up-to-date data to get a clear picture of the state of nature. These data are vitally important for our partners and data users to make evidence-based decisions about the natural environment.