Resources for transect recorders

Here you will find everything you need to get started with transect recording.

Details of local Transect co-ordinators

Whether you want to contact your local co-ordinator, or become a co-ordinator yourself, you can find out who you need to speak to from Butterfly Conservation's list of co-ordinators.

Guidance notes

Click here for comprehensive guidance on establishing a transect, recording to UKBMS standards and sending in your data. You will also find detailed notes to get you started with the Transect Walker recording software.

G1 - MONITORING BUTTERFLY NUMBERS BY THE TRANSECT METHOD - SUMMARY INFORMATION FOR RECORDERS (1 page)

G2 - FIELD GUIDANCE NOTES FOR BUTTERFLY TRANSECTS (2 pages)

G3 - GUIDANCE FOR FILLING IN FORM F1 (SUMMARY HABITAT & MANAGEMENT DETAILS FOR BUTTERFLY TRANSECTS) (4 pages)

G4 - HABITAT CLASSIFICATION FOR BUTTERFLY TRANSECTS (1 page)

G11 - USING UKBMS TRANSECT WALKER ONLINE

HEALTH & SAFETY NOTE

Health and safety

Recording forms

Click here for the UKBMS recording forms, to help you record your data in an organised and effective way.

F1(S) - BUTTERFLY TRANSECT DETAILS FORM (SMALL SITE) (1 page)

F1(L) - BUTTERFLY TRANSECT DETAILS FORM (LARGE SITE) (2 pages)

F2 - BUTTERFLY TRANSECT - WEEKLY RECORDING FORM (1 page)

Nf1 - BUTTERFLY TRANSECT - TIME COUNT RECORDING FORM (1 page)

Nf3 - BUTTERFLY TRANSECT - LARVEL WEB RECORDING FORM (2 pages)

Nf4 - BUTTERFLY TRANSECT - BROWN HAIRSTREAK EGG COUNT RECORDING FORM (3 pages)

Ng1 - BUTTERFLY TRANSECT - TIMED COUNT GUIDANCE NOTES (2 pages)

Ng2 - BUTTERFLY TRANSECT - MARSH FRIT WEBS GUIDANCE NOTES (4 pages)

Ng3 - BUTTERFLY TRANSECT - BROWN HARSTREAK EGG COUNT GUIDANCE NOTES (7 pages)

LANDOWNER LETTER for brown Hairstreak Egg Count Surveys

F2 REGIONAL ADAPTATIONS : SURREY, SUSSEX & KENT, SOMERSET & BRISTOL, HAMPSHIRE & ISLE OF WIGHT, CORNWALL, WILTSHIRE, SCOTLAND, NORTHERN IRELAND

Recording forms and specific guidance notes - Wider Countryside Butterfly Survey

1. WCBS Guidance for surveys on butterfly only squares (i.e. not BTO BBS squares)
2. WCBS Guidance for BTO BBS recorders
3. WCBS recording form (for all recorders)
4. Landowner letter

Other useful information

Priorities for new transects

In some parts of the UK more transects need to be set up to improve the coverage of certain habitats and species. If you are interested in setting up a new transect, and you want to help improve the coverage where it is most needed in your area, you can download our Regional Transect Development Plan which highlights important gaps in the network. For further information on local priorities, contact your local transect co-ordinator.