Observing the nature around us is a rewarding experience, but identifying what you see isn’t always easy. It can take years to master even a small group of species. Fortunately, modern technology makes it easier than ever to contribute to “Citizen Science”—helping us fill the gaps in our species identification.
In modern conservation, we use data to predict where wildlife lives and which habitats need the most care. These models only work if we have a wide range of records from across the county. Your sightings provide the evidence we need to protect Somerset’s nature.
Apps We Recommend
| Seek |  |
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| iNaturalist | |
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Seek (by iNaturalist)
Best for: Beginners and quick identification. Seek uses your phone’s camera and AI to identify plants and animals in real-time based on your location. It’s a great way to record what you spot while on a walk. You can also link Seek to an iNaturalist account to save your discoveries.
iNaturalist
Best for: Contributing to a global scientific community. A joint initiative of the California Academy of Sciences and the National Geographic Society, iNaturalist is a free app used worldwide to share and identify biodiversity.
⚠️ Important Note on Data Usage If you are recording a Notable Species (see list below) or are concerned about a sighting being used in planning applications, please use the SERC Online Recording System instead.
iNaturalist records are public and cannot be used for the specific commercial and legal purposes required for local conservation and development planning.
Notable Species