Curious about what’s growing, flying or buzzing around you? These nature apps make it easy to identify species on your walks, and many also invite you to record what you find, contributing to citizen science projects across Scotland and beyond.
Click on the images below for more information about a range of free ‘Nature Apps’ that you can use from home or on your mobile while you’re out on your daily walks. Download them from Google Play or Apple Store – just search for the names below.
Merlin Bird ID
What is it for?
Identify birds through sound, sight, test your knowledge with quizzes, find out what birds have been seen near you and save the sightings you have to create a life list!
Why do we like it?
A fantastic feature of Merlin is the ability to record the bird song around you and see the identification of those sounds in real time.
Woodland Trust Tree ID
What is it for?
In just a few steps you can identify native and common non-native trees in the UK whatever the season using leaves, bark, twigs, buds, flowers or fruit.
Why do we like it?
The app walks you through a simple process to identify trees, gives good information on species and you can keep a log of the trees you have identified!
Seek
What is it for?
Use the power of image recognition technology to identify the plants and animals all around you. Earn badges for seeing different types of plants, birds, fungi and more!
Why we like it?
This is a great app for families who want to spend more time exploring nature together.
iRecord
What is it for?
Join iRecord now to share your sightings with the recording community, explore dynamic maps and graphs of your data and make a real contribution to science and conservation.
Why do we like it?
Join in with citizen science, all your records are reviewed by experts and it links to biological recording centres.
Mammal Mapper
What is it for?
Mammal Mapper is a free app where you can record signs and sightings of mammals in the UK.
Why do we like it?
It’s very well laid out with lots of information and you can start your own survey at any time in any place, contributing to wider knowledge on mammals!
Beachtrack
What is it for?
Record your beach walks and help Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme (SMASS) collect data, and contribute to one of the world’s largest and most extensive datasets on marine strandings and beach health.
Why do we like it?
You can take part in important citizen science just by taking a walk on the beach- it’s not just to report strandings!
PictureThis
What is it for?
A plant ID app. You can snap a photo of a plant to instantly receive its name, detailed care instructions, and even diagnostic help for plant diseases. Covers wide range of plants including house plants.
Why do we like it?
There remains a free version of the app, you just have to cancel the initial pop up about starting the free trial.
Stellarium
What is it for?
Stellarium is a free open source planetarium for your computer. It shows a realistic night sky in 3D, just like what you see with the naked eye, binoculars or a telescope.
Why do we like it?
It is like a window into the night sky! As you move around it highlights the stars and names the constellations. You can use it indoors and outdoors.
Big Butterfly Count
What is it for?
Take part in the UK’s annual Big Butterfly Count with this easy to use app. Count butterflies
and submit your sightings in one easy process to help take the pulse of nature.
Why do we like it?
As well as taking part in the annual survey you can use the app as an ID guide and it also has an excellent interactive map to see what has been spotted near you!
Seagrass Spotter
What is it for?
This is a global tool to locate and record seagrass. Seagrasses are flowering plants that live in the shallow, sheltered areas of our coast. The meadows they form are full of life, supporting thousands of marine species, producing oxygen, storing carbon, stabilising our coastlines, and keeping our ocean clean and clear. Yet, they are globally threatened and are facing significant loss around the world.
Why do we like it?
The app helps you to identify and record a lesser known group of plants, seagrasses! A fascinating learning experience.