Species data

Learn about our datasets including data sources, coverage and quality.

Datasets

We provide species data that includes:

  • protected and notable species
  • invasive species
  • other species

These are supplied in excel spreadsheets with accompanying metadata.

The species data is categorised using the following designations:

  • Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010
  • Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 Birds, Animals and Plants
  • NERC Act 2006 Priority Species
  • Global and National JNCC Red List Species
  • Nationally Notable Invertebrate Species
  • Nationally Rare or Scarce Species
  • Birds of Conservation Concern (BOCC)
  • Local BAP Species

Data sources

We collect and collate records of species from a variety of sources, including:

  • local natural historians and local wildlife groups
  • ecological consultancies (often via local authorities)
  • local wildlife site surveys
  • landowning NGOs and charities (such as BBOWT, RSPB, NT)
  • government bodies (such as EA, NE)
  • private landowners (such as for agri-environment schemes)
  • other businesses (such as Thames Water)
  • members of the public (incidental records)
  • other recording schemes we run (such as otter spotters, crayfish surveys)

We assign species data a 'data origin' code so users can determine where the data came from.

Data coverage

We hold over 5 million flora and fauna records in Berkshire and Oxfordshire.

Data coverage varies across geographic areas and taxonomic groups. This variation reflects survey effort rather than the amount of biodiversity present in an area. Certain places, such as designated wildlife sites, are more likely to have been surveyed. Some groups of species (such as birds, butterflies, and plants) are more popular for amateur recorders to survey. A lack of records does not imply a lack of biodiversity!

We are constantly working with recording groups in Berkshire and Oxfordshire to help improve both coverage and accuracy. We have regular contact with around 70 national and local recording groups and numerous individuals who allow us to include their data in our database.

We hold data on all species groups, including:

  • nearly 1,400,000 bird records
  • over 1,130,000 plant records
  • 46,000 bat records
  • 7,800 badger records
  • 8,200 great crested newt records

Restrictions

We add over 477,000 records to our database annually. However, the data we supply to customers is often not ours. Data owners may restrict their data, and we are bound to respect these limits. 
We will advise you who to contact when we cannot provide data directly or when we do not have permission to share the data with complete location information.

Read our Data Coverage Statement (pdf format, 237 KB) for more details. Use the data origin key (pdf format, 87 KB) to identify the data origin.

Additional data

Depending on the nature of the data search request, we may advise you to contact one or more of the following groups for additional data:

  • The Berkshire and South Buckinghamshire Bat Group
  • Binfield Badger Group
  • Berkshire Ornithological Club
  • The Banbury Ornithological Society
  • Oxfordshire Bat Group
  • Oxfordshire Badger Group
  • Shotover Wildlife Group (for searches that cover the area around Shotover, near Oxford)

Data quality

Learn about how we quality check all data before adding it to our database.