If you are new to NatureSpot, or just want a quick tour of the features we offer, then watch our short video introduction.
Also, the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page tries to offer comprehensive answers to many issues.
What this website offers
- Illustrated guide to over 8,000 species - including distribution maps, help on identification and the latest records
- Citizen science wildlife recording - we encourage everyone to help monitor local wildlife by using our online form or app (or iRecord for sightings outside Leicestershire and Rutland)
- Feature pages on over 500 Wild Places - accessible local areas of wildlife interest
- Parish pages - wildlife feature pages on many Leicestershire and Rutland parishes
- Events - a guide to the talks, walks and events in Leicestershire and Rutland with a wildlife theme
- News - a regular stream of brief news updates
- Support for local wildlife groups and projects
- Information to help us all discover more about nature
NatureSpot is managed by local nature enthusiasts in order to share our interest with others. Could you help?
Species galleries
We have a feature page for every species recorded on NatureSpot - over 8,000 and counting! Our recorders are 'discovering' several hundred more species every year and so we are constantly adding to this library.
You can use the 'search' box to find a particular species, or you can browse the group galleries listed on the home page (just click on a photo to go to the species page).
Species data analysis - charts on every species page provide an insight into what the data is telling us.
Wild Places
NatureSpot features over 500 sites across Leicestershire and Rutland as Wild Places. These showcase many of the best places to see wildlife in our area. Each Wild Place page displays all the records and accompanying images submitted to NatureSpot for that location, and these update automatically as additional records are received. A full species list for each site is available on these Wild Place pages.
A menu to all the Wild Place pages is on the Home page. You can also view our map page of Wild Places in Leicestershire and Rutland where you can filter by county, parish or site name.
Private Wild Places
By arrangement, we can set up Wild Place feature pages for private gardens, grounds, farms, estates and other areas without public access. These work just as any other Wild Place page except they are not included in the menus and maps and are only viewable using the private URL provided. We ask for a donation for setting up a private Wild Place - the amount is up to you! Get in touch if you are interested by emailing info@naturespot.org
New Wild Places?
If you know of a site with wildlife interest that could be featured as a Wild Place page then let us know. Wild Places should meet the following criteria:
- must either be entirely in public access (such as a Country Park), or have a public right of way (PROW) through them or adjacent to them from which the site can be viewed OR the landowner has given consent for the land to become a Wild Place. (A PROW as defined by the Highways Authority: in Leicestershire; in Rutland).
- must consist largely of existing habitats of significance to wildlife - e.g. woodland, wetland, watercourse, heathland, open mosaic habitats, unimproved/semi-improved or species-rich grassland, parkland, orchard, scrubland. Sites which consist mainly of arable and cultivated land or just improved grassland are not suitable as Wild Places. (See Leicestershire's Biodiversity Action Plan and the Leicestershire and Rutland Local Nature Recovery Strategy).
Please note that NatureSpot's designation of a site as a Wild Place does not confer any legal or protected status to the land, and has no weight within the planning system. Neither does it confer any additional public rights of use or access to the land.
Parish pages
Parish pages work in a similar way to Wild Places: listing records, images and species for that parish. A menu to all the Parish pages is on the Home page.
If your parish is missing from the list then do get in touch. We normally seek support from the relevant parish or town council so can approach them on request.
Events listings
The event listings on the home page only displays those that are imminent. The calendar view displays all events and this is available on the top menu.
If you would like to see your event added to these listings, do get in touch. If you are part of a group that organises regular nature-themed events we may be able to give you admin permission to add your events directly.
News
We welcome suggestions and contributions to our news stream. Email any ideas and proposals to info@naturespot.org
Local wildlife groups and projects
NatureSpot is always keen to support other local wildlife and conservation groups, as well as projects and initiatives that aim to boost local biodiversity. If you are involved in a group or project that isn't listed here then do let us know. We can also provide web space for all relevant groups and projects.
General information
Talks and presentations
The NatureSpot YouTube channel has recordings of presentations covering a wide-range of topics. All are free to view.
Microscopes, binoculars and other kit
You don't need any equipment to enjoy nature (though good footwear and warm, waterproof clothes can help!), but to identify more than the large and obvious species then some simple aids are of real benefit.
Equipment - tips and guidances on what you might need and where to get it.
Specimens & samples - it can be difficult, and sometimes impossible, to identify some invertebrates in the field so taking a specimen home for a closer look may often be the only way to identify the species. Similarly, some plants and fungi need a sample taking for further checking. This page describes how best to do this.
Photography
Not only is wildlife photography very popular, images of the wildlife you have seen are often essential for recording as they help to provide evidence that you have identified the species correctly. However, taking a photo is also very useful for anyone wanting to learn how to identify wildlife. With a photo you can compare it to images online or in a book, you can email an expert for help or post a copy online at one of the many identification support sites, and of course you can create your own reference library of images.
Taking photos for wildlife recording
Ultra-macro photography: getting even closer!