iSpot was launched in June 2009, so we have now had nearly three years of activity. In the last month observation no. 100,000 was added to iSpot, and our 18,000th user registered on the site. in Mid-May 2012 the overall statistics are:
• 18,222 registered users
• 108,797 observations posted
• 135,421 identifications suggested
• 435,025 agreements given (iSpot users are a very agreeable lot!)
Our 100,000th observation was contributed by “ophrys”, and is of a well-camouflaged Common Groundhopper. Harelquin Ladybird remains the most frequent species uploaded to iSpot, closely followed by Mallard, Robin, Seven-spot Ladybird, Mute Swan and Common Darter dragonfly.
Although aimed at helping people identify wildlife rather than being an online recording system, many of the observations on iSpot are valuable biological records, and we are working with a range of recording schemes to pass this data on. Recent data exports have been to the Orthoptera Recording Scheme, Amphibian and Reptile Groups of the UK, and the Parasitic Wasps Recording Scheme.
Two new information sheets are available, on using iSpot to support bioblitz events, and to support ‘citizen science’ wildlife surveys. If you’d like a copy of these please contact the team
Written by Martin Harvey
View the NBN Gateway interactive map for Common Groundhopper