Using the Records page

PLEASE NOTE: The records page is no longer being updated. For information on how to obtain up-to-date records please contact us or refer to the Products and Services page for details of data holders in Essex.
Use the Records page to find where species are recorded. 

Instructions

1. Enter a location of interest in the first box (optional)
2. Choose a species group by clicking the drop down menu (optional)
3. Enter a species name (or part of a name) in the species box
4. Click a square to see information on species records for that square

Some notes

• Records are shown for 2km squares (or tetrads) in your area of interest - or as 10km squares if you are looking at a county wide view.  Note that due to the projection of Google Maps, grid-squares may not appear square or north aligned but the area of coverage is exact.
• A location is optional.  If you leave this box empty and find a species it will map all records at county level.
• The species lookup allows you to quickly find species by their common names or scientific names in long lists!  You can enter part of a name and press enter and all matches will be listed.  You can click the option to 'check as I type' for the species lookup to match your entry as you type (see also section below on Using the Species Lookup)
• This page requires a good broadband connection.  If the maps and data are slow to load you may not have sufficient bandwidth.

Using the mapping functions

• Zoom in or out using the + and - buttons on top left of map
• Scroll by dragging the map with your left mouse button down.
• Click buttons on top right to choose between normal map, aerial photography and 'hybrid' (a combination of both).

Using the species lookup

Enter all or part of a species name (scientific, common/vernacular or code number) in the box and press enter.  If your entry is exactly matched this species will be selected, otherwise a list of near matches will be shown.  You can select one of these, or continue entering characters to improve your match.  Generally, species can be found easily with the first few characters and there is usually no need to enter the full name.

• If there is no possible match to your entry a message will appear at the top of the box.
• If your name is exactly matched it will be selected
• If there are a number of matches a list will be shown for you to choose from.  If the list is long, vague, or your required item isn't listed, you will need to refine your search word(s).
• You can use the 'dot' . as an abbreviation - for example "n. pronuba" or even "n. pro"
• You can use wildcards * (to match any number of characters) or ? (to match any single character).  For example '*p?gm*' will match any name containing pygmy or pigmy etc.

Incorrect hyphenation and use of apostrophise is handled automatically so you need not worry too much about this.  So the system will accept "clancys" or "red line" to find Clancy's Rustic or Red-line Quaker". You can tick the option to 'Check as I type' if you have broadband and wish for the system to try to match your entry as you go.  Note that this requires a continual and fast connection to the server and will not respond well if you have a slow Internet connection.  In this mode you can see exactly how the validation is interpreting your entry.

You can press Esc whilst in the box to clear it and start again.

Note that species are limited by the selection of a particular 'group'.  To change species groups click the drop arrow top-right of the species box.

Back to the Records page.

See also our Locate page to browse locations in Essex.