What's the BIG idea?
Once a year we ask everyone to look out for a handful of species over an extended period of time for The Big Count! This year we want you to keep your eyes peeled between 18th and 27th June.
Why?
The Somerset Environmental Records Centre (SERC) has over 4 million species records, but the majority are about protected or rare species. There’s a gap in our knowledge about how the more “common” species are doing on a wider scale across the county. Experts alone would struggle to collect as much of that data as they need. That’s where citizen science projects like The Big Count come in!
Have some questions? Find our FAQ here
Ready to become a Big Count citizen scientist?
Becoming a Big Count citizen scientist might sound complicated, but it couldn’t be easier! All you need is your phone and a basic grasp of wildlife. Then, for 10 days in June, keep your eyes peeled for a handful of very special species and if you spot one (or several), snap a picture and upload it to The Big Count project on iNaturalist. This year for the first time we're giving you the added option of writing your findings on a paper form that you can email or post back to us when you're done!
