Sharing sightings and records of wildlife and nature is a great way to get involved in collecting data that helps us improve our understanding of local wildlife. It means everyone can contribute to our knowledge of Shetland’s wildlife, whether that’s spotting birds from your window, taking a walk in the flower park or spotting something while out and about.
Here you will find information on some of the projects currently running which rely on submissions of records or sightings. Some are being run by us here at Shetland Community Wildlife and UHI Shetland, while others are managed by various local and national organisations working in Shetland.
Whether you participate in one project or all of them, your contribution will help grow our understanding of Shetland’s wildlife, aiding our efforts to support and conserve them.
Local Organisations
UHI Shetland
At UHI Shetland, we are interested in your records of marine species around Shetland. To find out about the specific species we are interested in, take a look at our marine ID guides.
We also carry out research projects to increase our understanding of different species and habitats. Click on the links below to find out more about these projects.
Shetland Amenity Trust
The Shetland Biological Records Centre, operating within the Shetland Amenity Trust, gathers information on Shetland’s rich natural heritage to develop an understanding of its importance and safeguard it for the future.
They are interested in any records of wildlife sightings around Shetland but are particularly interested in Bumblebees, butterflies and moths. More information and a guide to the butterflies and bumblebees found in Shetland can be downloaded by clicking the links below.
More information can be found on the Shetland Amenity Trust Website.
Bumblebee Survey
Bumblebees are important pollinators in Shetland and are a useful indicator species of the general environment quality. Anecdotal evidence suggests that some bumblebee species have declined over recent decades possibly due to changing agricultural practices and as an impact of climate change.
Shetland Butterfly Spot
Now that we are fully into spring and the sun is shining, the butterflies have started to appear back in our gardens and wild areas. There are just five species of butterfly commonly seen in Shetland. The Large White (Pieris brassicae) is our only resident butterfly and has a bit of a bad rep with…
Citizen Science Projects
Find out more about national and local projects to collect records or carry out surveys of wildlife and nature that need your help. We work with other organisations to share the data collected so we can improve knowledge locally, as well as contributing to national datasets.
Invasive American Lobster- Retain and Report
Marine Scotland recently launched a campaign to help raise awareness of American lobster (Homarus americanus) which are now being found in Scotland. The animals are…
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Shetland Shark and Skate Eggcase Hunt
If you have access to the coast and head there as part of your daily exercise we would like you to keep your eye out…
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Become a Skatespotter
As restrictions on water sports continue to be eased, we would like to share the Skatespotter Project, led by NatureScot. Common or Flapper Skate (Dipturus…
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Have you spotted a Crofter’s Wig?
Crofter’s Wig (Ascophyllum nodosum ecad makii) is a very rare and interesting little seaweed. It is a form of egg wrack (Ascophyllum nodosum)but is free-living…
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Big Seaweed Search
Whilst you are enjoying a stroll along the beach or rock pooling with the kids, why not take a few minutes to look a bit…
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Calling all swimmers, divers and snorkellers!
We are looking for records of rare and important marine life. In Shetland we are very fortunate to have a long and varied coastline, home…
Keep readingBumblebee Survey
Bumblebees are important pollinators in Shetland and are a useful indicator species of the general environment quality. Anecdotal evidence suggests that some bumblebee species have…
Keep readingShetland Butterfly Spot
Now that we are fully into spring and the sun is shining, the butterflies have started to appear back in our gardens and wild areas.…
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Delve into the World of Hoverflies….
…with this new ID guide by Rebecca Nason A local naturalist and wildlife photographer, Rebecca has a passion for hoverflies and has recently created a…
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New Zealand Flatworm Survey 2020
We are teaming up with the fantastic and very experience Orkney Field Club (OFC) for this project. It is one that everyone across Shetland can…
Keep readingZooniverse
Zooniverse is a website dedicated to “people-powered research”. It showcases hundreds of citizen science projects from all across the globe that you can get involved…
Keep readingOther opportunities
To learn more about citizen science in Scotland, take a look at the NatureScot citizen science guide. It contains information about citizen science and best practice, as well as a list of projects taking part across Scotland.
Species on the Edge have also compiled a great list of projects that need your help to record wildlife.
Shetland Community Wildlife Group 