All verified records submitted to NatureSpot go into the national iRecord database. This fascinating video shows where and when the 365,000 observations to iRecord were made during the year 2016.

As we prepare for the clocks to go forward, we say farewell to our winter visitors. It's been a great winter for birding in VC55 (Leicestershire & Rutland). 
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The Golden Shelled Slug has been found in Leicestershire for only the second time and 30 years after the only previous record. Saharima Roenisch discovered this spectacular slug at Welford Road Cemetery where the rich soil probably suits its underground lifestyle feeding on earthworms. This slug is particularly unusual as it is one of a small group that retain a tiny vestigial shell at the end of its body. Read more.

With spring around the corner we can expect better weather  - but wait, is that road verge coated with snow? Let's hope not! What is that froth of tiny white flowers along the edge of the road? NatureSpot News is here to help. 
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One of the great things about NatureSpot is that anyone can join in and add to our knowledge of wildlife in Leicestershire and Rutland (VC55). However, before you can submit a record you do need to be able to identify what you have seen. For some familiar groups this is relatively easy, but others are more challenging. Take Springtails - they are one of our commonest invertebrates and can be found almost everywhere, but we know very little about the Springtails of VC55. They are small - some are truly tiny at less than 1mm long, but they are also unfamiliar to most people. That's where NatureSpot can help you.

Re-engagement with Britain's natural history has never been more urgent. Young people need the skills to name, observe, monitor and record wildlife. It is vital to understand the contribution nature makes to our lives physically, culturally, emotionally and scientifically both in the past and today. An Government online petition is collecting support for to Develop a GCSE in Natural History.

2016 was another record year for NatureSpot, with the growth seen in previous years continuing. There were increases in the number of records submitted, the number of recorders, visitors to the website and the species profiled. Read the 2016 Annual Report here.

NatureSpot is run by volunteers who all share an interest in local wildlife. Would you like to join us? There are many different tasks that would suit people with varying time to offer and different skills and interests. Have a look at some of the ways you could help and get in touch if you are interested. Volunteering for NatureSpot.

Currently over 80 volunteers across Leicestershire are monitoring moths in their gardens, but there is a gap in coverage in Market Harborough and the north eastern part of Harborough District. Could you help? Read more.

If you missed Adrian Russell's recent presentation summarising the finds and status of moths in Leicestershire and Rutland based on the 2015 records - you can view the slides on the Leicester Moth Recorders page.

The January edition of the Leicestershire Entomological Society newsletter is available for viewing or download - see the LES page.

2015 was a very successful year for NatureSpot with an increase in records, species and visitors. Thanks to all of you who contributed. View the 2015 Annual Report.

An otter was recently found dead inside a crayfish trap near to Leicester, unfortunately not a unique incident. All crayfish traps have to approved by the Environment Agency. If you find a trap without an EA tag, please call the free hotline 0800 80 70 60.

The latest Leicestershire Entomological Society newsletter is now available to view on the LES page. Also available is a report on the Dung Beetles of Priory Water by Frank Clark and Tony Cook.

The Leicestershire and Rutland Mammal Group is newly formed and aims to promote interest in local mammals and encourage more recording of these animals. To find out more visit the L&R Mammal Group page.

A new mapping tool has been installed on NatureSpot that lets you explore and map all NatureSpot records. By using the filters you can map and list all records for a selected area, just your own records, or select a particular wildlife group. Visit the Explore page from the main menu above.

All records submitted to NatureSpot are checked to confirm the identification and details are correct - called verification. In conjunction with the Biological Records Centre, we are using a new system with five choices. You will see the icons for these in the verification column of your My Records page. See the verification page for more information.

Getting the identification correct is just as important as finding the specimen in the first place. If you’re not sure then seek help before submitting records – but only after making every effort to identify it yourself. There are many experts around who offer help and submitting photos to wildlife forums is often a good way of tapping into expert knowledge. See our Resources pages for good sources of identification help.

It is not always clear which species to record and how often. Do you record the Blackbird in your garden every day? What about plants in your garden or street trees nearby? Recent guidance from the BSBI has helped to answer some of these questions. See our What To Record page.

A checklist of all the species of dragonflies and damselflies in Leicestershire and Rutland has just been published. This excellent document includes species distribution maps and notes of where best to see them locally. See Dragonfly Resources.