To understand our natural world we need to gather information about species and their habitats.
Citizen scientists are volunteers who help to collect data for research programmes at the same time gaining invaluable knowledge, whilst also helping to increase our understanding on how to best conserve and protect species and habitats. Citizen scientists play an invaluable role in scientific research and greatly contribute to the conservation and protection of wildlife species and the habitats in which they live
Nature Network Ireland collect citizen science data and use it for research and to inform our projects. We welcome any records that you would like to submit on this page. All information will go to the National Biodiversity Data Centre.
Recording Wildlife sightings
To record any wildlife sightings or details regarding wildlife, please click the link to our Wildlife Recording form.
If you want to record a sighting regarding Otters or signs of Otters, please use the Otter Spotter form.
Wildlife Recording Form
Did you see any wildlife? Click here to fill out our Wildlife Recording form and let us know what you found.
Recording Irish Otters- Become an Otter Spotter!
The Otter Spotter is a Nature Network Ireland initiative. The project was initially piloted in Tralee and Galway City and has since expanded to a national remit. We welcome all records, which will help us to gain further insight into the behaviour of this charismatic species.
We would be delighted if you can choose a local waterway and look for signs of otters. This will help us in our work to increase knowledge so we can promote the protection of them and their habitats. If you do not see an otter it is still important to note it on this website. The first page of the form will ask for the type of records. If you have seen an otter or signs of otters click “I found otters” on the form, and a drop-down will appear on the form to select if you have seen one or signs of one, and further questions to tell us more about your findings. To help you look, we have developed online training videos on this page, with information on the project. The videos explain the importance of the project and how to look for signs of otter. There is also a video which explains how to submit your record. It is especially important for us if you could record the times when you are looking for otters and when you cannot find any traces of them.
We invite and encourage you to become a Citizen Scientist and help us map the distribution of otters in your area.
We ask for additional information on river barriers and human disturbance as this will help us understand how otter activity is related to these factors. We are also recording the presence of American Mink.
Your records will contribute to National Otter Survey efforts and data will be supplied to the National Biodiversity Data Center.
Otter Spotter Form.
Did you go Otter Spotting? Click here to fill out our Otter Spotter form and let us know what you found.
Funding Acknowledgement
In 2023, Nature Network Ireland was awarded funding from IMPETUS. IMPETUS is funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement number 101058677. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency (REA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
Data Protection
Nature Network Ireland is committed to ensuring the security and protection of the personal information that we process, and to provide a compliant and consistent approach to data protection. We have created this GDPR Compliance Statement to implementing our GDPR compliance program.
