Ecological Recording

What is Ecological Recording and why is it important?

Ecological recording is the documentation of wildlife in a particular place at a particular time. By creating these records, we can help build a better understanding of the biodiversity in our city and contribute to long-term conservation efforts across the UK and Ireland.

At Wild Belfast, we are passionate about making nature recording accessible, rewarding, and enjoyable for everyone—whether you're completely new to species identification or a seasoned recorder. From trees to bees, bogs to frogs, our events are designed to suit all levels of experience. You don’t need to be an expert—just curious and ready to explore!

All of our ecological recording activities feed into recognised biodiversity databases that are used by scientists, land managers, local councils and conservationists to monitor species trends, protect habitats, and guide decision-making. That’s why we champion the use of iNaturalist—a free, user-friendly tool that makes it easy for anyone to submit wildlife sightings and contribute valuable data. Learn more about the ecological recording projects and initiatives below, and don’t forget to check out our events page for any upcoming opportunities.


City Nature Challenge: A Wildlife World Cup!

Every spring, cities around the world compete to see who can record the most wildlife—and we are proud to help put Belfast on the map!

City Nature Challenge is an annual global event that brings together people of all ages and backgrounds to observe and document local biodiversity over four days. Using iNaturalist to record and share sightings, participating cities can compare their efforts based on participation and verified observations.

Since Belfast’s first year participating 2024, Wild Belfast has been honoured to be one of the local champions of this exciting international initiative. Alongside community groups, conservation organisations, and regional partnerships, we help bring the challenge to the Greater Belfast area with a mix of free events, guided walks, and hands-on recording sessions.

Exploring Belfast on Land and Sea

We host a wide range of activities across different habitats found in the Greater Belfast area, spotlighting the rich biodiversity found throughout our city. From coastal shores to urban greenways and parks, our events explore marine and terrestrial recording to showcase the full spectrum of life in and around Belfast.

Whether you’re spotting bees in a local park or hunting for crabs along the shoreline, you’re helping to build a clearer picture of the species that call Belfast home.

Citizen Science in Action

Our City Nature Challenge events are designed to make ecological recording fun, inclusive, and welcoming for all—no matter your level of experience. With the easy-to-use iNaturalist and the support of a community of friendly guides and experts, this is a brilliant way to get started with species ID and connect with nature in a meaningful way.

Every observation recorded during the City Nature Challenge feeds into biodiversity databases that inform conservation decisions, environmental policies, and habitat protection efforts. These records help researchers and land managers understand species trends and how our ecosystems are changing.

If you’ve ever been curious about what’s living around you, this is your chance to explore, learn, and contribute to something bigger.

Growing Local Leaders

We also see the City Nature Challenge as a powerful platform to empower our local community. At Wild Belfast, we’re committed to supporting our members and volunteers in their personal and professional development. Through this project, we offer hands-on experience in public engagement, guided walks, and species ID—giving people the chance to build confidence, grow leadership skills, and share their love of nature with others.

Whether you’re looking to build your CV, lead your first walk, or just feel more confident talking about wildlife, there’s a place for you here.

Be Part of It

Everyone can embrace the spirit of discovery and help showcase the natural treasures of Belfast! By participating, you’re not only contributing to science—you’re helping grow a more connected, confident, and nature-literate city.

Citizen science is a powerful tool for conservation: we can't protect what we don't know about. It starts with people like you.