By recording the wildlife of the Blackdown Hills we can discover which species are thriving and which are endangered. We can identify trends and track the impact of changes in climate, habitats and the landscape. Most importantly, the data we collect can be used to protect nature, helping to inform the people and organisations who look after our natural environment: from land managers to conservation charities, developers to government departments.

In the UK, we are fortunate to have a long and established tradition of wildlife recording, often carried out by amateur naturalists. Enthusiastic volunteers and citizen scientists continue to play an important role, conducting wildlife surveys and recording the natural world.

Wildlife sightings in the Blackdown Hills National Landscape are collected by Devon Biodiversity Records Centre (DBRC) and  Somerset Environmental Records Centre (SERC)  both of which welcome records of all species. The majority of records come via specialist groups and societies, and becoming a member is an excellent way to get involved with wildlife recording. Alternatively you can submit your own sightings directly.

Tips on submitting sightings

How to submit your wildlife sightings

Submit a sighting to Devon Biodiversity Records Centre, or complete the online recording form below. The data you provide using this form will be added to the wildlife database of Somerset Environmental Records Centre. You can record all your Blackdown Hills sightings here, whether you’ve see them in Devon or Somerset.

While you’re out and about, iNaturalist has a great little app for submitting wildlife sightings, available on Apple or Android devices. You can submit observations even when you don’t have a mobile signal or Wi-Fi.

Ball shape next made on blades of long grass
Harvest mouse nest. Photo: Chris Hughes

Have you seen a harvest mouse nest?

No other animal makes a nest quite like the harvest mouse. Devon Mammal Group is trying to find out where Devon’s harvest mice live by looking for small, tennis-ball sized woven nests like the one in the photo, often in large clumps of grass or along hedgerows. If you’ve seen a harvest mouse please click below to let them know:

Record your harvest mouse nest sighting

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