Glasgow Museums Biological Records Centre
Wildlife information for everyone
Glasgow Museums Biological Records Centre collects, validates and manages wildlife data for research, planning applications, conservation and environmental decision making.
We hold over 1 million biological records. This data informs environmental decision making at all levels, from research and planning applications to national and local wildlife conservation. It is used by businesses, local authorities, recording groups, and the public.
We are a member of the Association of Local Environmental Records Centres.
Where do we cover?
- Glasgow
- Renfrewshire
- East Renfrewshire
- Inverclyde
- East Dunbartonshire
- West Dunbartonshire
- South Lanarkshire
- North Lanarkshire
- parts of Argyll & Bute (VC99 and Bute)
Sharing biological records
All biological records are valuable. They help us understand species distribution and wildlife health.
Send us your biological records
We have two recording forms: a word document and an excel document. The word document is best if you are sending us one or two records. The excel document is best when sending in a lot of records.
Please email completed documents to biological.records@glasgowlife.org.uk.
It is helpful if you include a photograph of what you saw. This helps us to confirm the species identification.
Our privacy notice for biological records is available online.
Recording wildlife online or using an app
There are several online systems for wildlife recording.
We recommend iRecord, managed by The Biological Records Centre, it is free to use as a phone app or in a web browser.
Important documents: Submitting data
Requesting wildlife data
We can provide species data and basic designated site information for a range of purposes, including planning assessments, scientific research and community outreach.
Process for requesting data
If you wish to request biological data please complete the Commercial Data Request Form or Non-Commercial Data Request Form and email it to biological.records@glasgowlife.org.uk. When we receive your request we will contact you to confirm your order. If required we will also provide you with a quote and confirm that you are happy to continue.
We charge a fee for commercial data requests. This covers data processing time and supports our data management work. Please refer to the Price List for more information.
We provide non-commercial requests free of charge. We follow the NBN Guidance on the Definition of Non-Commercial Use.
Types of data available
Species data:
- All species
- Notable and protected species (including invasive non-native species)
- Taxon specific groups, e.g. amphibians or bats. ‘All birds’ are excluded from a single taxon search. We cost a search for all birds the same as a search for protected and notable species.
Site data:
- This covers the statutory and non-statutory designated sites that GMBRC holds data for.
- Results include the site name, local authority, designation and grid reference.
Species and site results are provided as Excel spreadsheets only. We do not provide site citations, maps, pdfs or habitat data.
A null result will be charged at the rate of £30 + VAT.
Important documents: Requesting data
Relevant publications
Glasgow Museums Biological Records Centre: achievements over the past 25 years and future prospects. R.B. Weddle & R.S. Haggard in The Glasgow Naturalist 28(2), 2024.
Wildlife Around Glasgow: 50 Remarkable Sites to Explore. R. Sutcliffe, 2010.
The "Clyde Cards": an account of biological recording in the west of Scotland. R.B. Weddle in The Glasgow Naturalist 23(6), 2001.