Send us your records!
If you have an existing County Lacewing Recorder who is actively accepting records, please continue to send records to the scheme via that person, if not then Colin will be pleased to receive the data directly by the following methods:
Via email
For one-off records or occasional sightings you are welcome to send an email to Colin. As a minimum a record must include:
1. Species name
2. Date of sighting
3. Location name
4. OS Grid Ref / GPS Lat + Long
5. Recorder’s name
Via spreadsheets
For multiple records, the use of a spreadsheet (such as Microsoft Excel or the free Google Documents) is preferred. An Excel spreadsheet template can be downloaded here.
Via MapMate (link)
A spreadsheet export from MapMate can be updated by Colin (if needed) before incorporating them into the central database. We do not except records via Map Mate Sync.
Via other databases
Other biological recording databases such as Recorder 6 and Gilbert 21 can produce spreadsheet exports that are fine for the recording scheme. Please include the unique record IDs from the originating database if sending in data from these systems.
Via paper
Paper records are not forbidden! Where no other option is available paper records are of course welcome. Please post them with the details listed above to:
Colin W. Plant
14 West Road
Bishops Stortford
Hertfordshire
CM23 3QP
Via iRecord (link)
The iRecord online recording system is the preferred route for receiving records. This has been developed by the Biological Records Centre as a way of making records available to recording schemes and local records centres. iRecord is free to use, but you will need to register with the site to start entering records. Online training documents are available. If you have a photo it can be attached to the record on iRecord.
Help with identification from photos
We recommend loading photos on iSpot where the community can assist in identification to the lowest taxonomic rank. iSpot records can then be sent to the scheme.