survey
Indicia - create your own online nature survey
Would you like to collect wildlife records on your website?
Whether you want to run a local bat survey, or collect species observations from all over the world, Indicia makes collecting records on your website easy, and it's free.
Developed by the National Biodiversity Network (NBN) and funded by OPAL, Indicia is simple to install and can be fully customised to suit your needs. There's even Instant Indicia for those that want to get up and running quickly but lack technical expertise.
Indicia features:
- Customisable form - request the exact information you need
- Collect date, location, and even photos
- Defined species lists, so no confusion over data submitted
- Records displayed instantly on interactive map
- Customisable design
- Collected data easily submitted to the wider NBN database
- Completely free
Getting started
There are a few different versions of Indicia, and the one you need will depend on your website and requirements. In most cases Instant Indicia is recommended, as this has been designed to make set-up as quick and simple as possible.
The Indicia team have created a number of illustrated step-by-step guides to walk you through the whole process.
Help and support
If you have any trouble, there’s even a forum where you can get answers to any questions.
Examples of Indicia in action
A number of societies and schemes are already using Indicia to collect species records, and the number is growing. Check out some of the examples below:
Indicia is an Open Source project funded by OPAL and managed by the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology.
Create a film of your OPAL experience
Planning a group OPAL activity? Why not add a bit of creative fun and make a film of the day?
It could be a news report, a documentary, or a 'how to' video like the ones below - made by Vale Youth Green Action in Birmingham.
Send us your videos and we'll put our favourites on the OPAL website. Just upload your film to a video-sharing site such as YouTube and let us know the link using our contact us form or comments below.
Andrew introduces the Bugs Count survey
Charlotte introduces the water survey
Erica introduces the biodiversity survey
For more videos see the OPAL YouTube channel.
Biodiversity survey - join in now
What’s living in your hedge?
Take part in the OPAL biodiversity survey and uncover the diverse range of wildlife in our hedges. You’ll contribute to valuable research and learn more about the importance of hedges and how you can improve them.
Hedges support many animals by providing them with food and shelter. Berries and seeds are food for birds, while holes beneath the hedge are often home to small mammals. You’ll also discover caterpillars, shieldbugs and many other invertebrates living among the leaves.
By telling us what you find, we can instantly rate the condition of your hedge and offer suggestions on how to improve it.
How to take part
Step 1: Download the easy-to-follow instructions and guides below. You can skip this step if you've already received one of our biodiversity survey packs.
Step 2: Find a suitable hedge to carry out the survey and answer the questions in the workbook. Use our guide to help you identify the invertebrates you might find.
Step 3: Submit your results using our simple online form.
Please show care and respect to our environment.
Many animals rely on hedges for food and shelter.
Enter your findings and view results so far
Downloads - what you need to get involved
Alternatively, download the whole survey pack (all of the above) as one zip file
You may download these documents for use in the context of the OPAL project only. All other rights are reserved.
Group leader support - planning, advice and ideas
The OPAL biodiversity survey is being run by The Open University and has been developed in partnership with Hedgelink.
Water survey - join in now
How healthy is your local lake or pond?
By taking part in the OPAL water survey, you’ll help scientists learn more about how polluted our lakes and ponds actually are – something we know surprisingly little about.
Good water quality is essential for the many animals and plants that live in and around our lakes, ponds and rivers. Unfortunately, water is easily affected by pollution from agriculture and industry, waste we throw away, and even pollutants in the air.
Look for clues in the water
Animals living in the water can tell us a great deal about how polluted the water may be. Some species struggle to survive in polluted waters, while others are more tolerant. By telling us what life you see in your local pond you’ll discover more about the water's health and contribute to valuable scientific research.
Please show care and respect to our environment.
Ponds and lakes are home to many important creatures.
Simple tests for water clarity and pH, will provide further clues to the water quality.
How to take part
It's easy to join in. Start by downloading our free survey pack, which includes full instructions and identification guides.
Need more pH strips?
Email your address and the number you require to Laura Hill, opal [at] imperial [dot] ac [dot] uk.
Submit your results
Once you've completed the survey, please take the time to submit your results using our simple online form. Your results are important to us, even if you didn't manage to finish all the activities.
Problems entering your survey results online? Contact us or send your completed workbook and detailed location information to: FREEPOST RSCH-CHYJ-HYYC, OPAL, Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College, South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ.
Explore the results so far
Compare health scores, analyse species distribution and view all the pond photos submitted so far.
Visit the OPAL Kids Zone for puzzles, games and amazing facts.OPAL Water research
Learn all about the ongoing research of OPAL Water scientists.
Top ten tips for a healthy pond
Create the perfect pond by following these top tips from the OPAL Water Centre and Buglife.
Share your pond life photos
Upload your pictures of water boatman, beetles and other pond wildlife to the Guardian Flickr gallery.
Looking to further your interest?
Learn more about pond wildlife with Pond Conservation, or explore our useful links and resources.
The OPAL water survey is being led by the OPAL Water team at University College London.
Wonderful world of worms
A few months ago I knew next to nothing about earthworms - not a great situation to be in considering part of my job is to help groups do the OPAL Soil and Earthworm survey!
So I decided I'd better swat up. Lucy, who works for OPAL at the NHM , kindly pointed me in the direction of UCLAN Earthworm Research Group - this website has some great photographs of earthworms and some fascinating wormy facts.
The UCLAN website whet my appetite for earthworms (not literally, I hasten to add), so I got a couple of books out of the library on worms, and learnt a bit more about these amazing creatures. Did you know that they have 5 hearts? I guess this is because they are very long in relation to their thickness, and it must be hard work pumping blood all the way to their back end.
Another interesting fact is that earthworms can live for 4-6 years! Sadly the common belief that an earthworm cut in half makes two earthworms isn't actually true, and unfortunately we've chopped quite a few in half whilst doing the OPAL survey! Sometimes the head end of the worm will survive, if it hasn't been too badly damaged, and they can actually regrow some of their segments, which I think is pretty impressive!
As the ground warms up, worms become more active, so if you've not already done your OPAL survey, now is the time to get out and discover these amazing creatures!
Discovering worms at Heeley City Farm (Sheffield) with members of the Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens
- OPAL Yorkshire and the Humber
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Chris Packham helps launch the soil and earthworm survey
Wildlife presenter Chris Packham helped launch the soil and earthworm survey this week in Kensington Gardens, London.
Chris joined children from St Albans School to take part in the study, the first of five OPAL surveys that ask the public to contribute to important scientific research.
Chris Packham said: “Earthworms are really undervalued and few people realise the important job they do keeping the soil under our feet nice and healthy. Surprisingly little is known about the different species or their habitats, so this research will be vital to help scientists understand how earthworms are affected by pollutants in the soil and by human activity.”
Anyone can take part in the soil and earthworm survey. All you need to do is download a survey workbook and field guide from the OPAL site. These contain everything you need to know to take part.
Once you’ve completed the survey, you can upload your results onto the OPAL website and see your contribution instantly on our interactive map.
Supporting information for groups
Group leader survey support pack
This pack provides a range of advice and ideas for carrying out the soil and earthworm survey with your group. This includes:
- Background information on soils and earthworms
- Advice on planning the survey
- How the survey links in with the curriculum
- Tips on carrying out the survey
- Follow up ideas
Field pack consumables supplier list
A contact list of the companies that provided the magnifying lenses, pH strips and mustard and vinegar sachets that come with the soil and earthworm field pack.
If you require more pH strips, email your address and the number you require to Laura Hill, opal@imperial.ac.uk.
The survey begins!
The soil and earthworm survey has begun. You can now take part in one of the nation’s biggest public nature surveys and learn all about earthworms and the world they live in.
Your results will help scientists build a national record of earthworm populations and soil types across England.
Everything you need to take part, including full instructions and an earthworm identification key, can be found on the website.
Once you’ve completed the survey, upload your findings onto the OPAL website and you'll be able to view your contribution on our interactive map.
If you want to learn a bit more about earthworms before you head out into the field, check out our online earthworm guide, which includes profiles on all the earthworms being recorded in the survey.
We hope you enjoy taking part in this survey.
Survey events
Some of the OPAL regions are organising public events where you can take part in the survey and benefit from expert guidance and knowledge. Be sure to check your regional page to see what’s happening near you.