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Apps for Nature

Katrina Martin / 2020VISION

Using these apps doesn’t just help you put a name to what you’ve seen — it changes how you experience the outdoors. When we learn to recognise species, we begin to notice patterns, seasons, habitats and behaviours. We slow down. We look closer.

Many of these apps also contribute valuable data to conservation research, helping charities, scientists and organisations like Shropshire Wildlife Trust better understand and protect wildlife.

So next time you head outside, why not download one and give it a go?

iNaturalist

Arguably the most well-known and widely used nature app, iNaturalist is a powerful tool for recording biodiversity.

How it works 

The interface is clean and simple. You tap “Observe”, upload a photo (or take one in-app), and the app suggests possible species using image recognition. You can refine suggestions by selecting location, habitat or taxonomic group. 

Once uploaded, your record is shared with a global community of experts and enthusiasts who can help confirm the identification. When a sighting reaches “Research Grade”, it contributes to global biodiversity data used by scientists and conservationists. 

Why it’s great 

  • Interactive map showing nearby wildlife sightings 

  • Community verification of your records 

  • Ability to join or create local monitoring projects 

  • Builds a personal digital nature diary 

Perfect for anyone wanting to take their wildlife recording to the next level. 

BirdEx

Think Pokémon Go — but for birdwatchers! 

BirdEx turns bird spotting into a friendly competition. It’s a gamified birdwatching app where every sighting earns you XP.

How it works 

You log sightings by selecting the species you’ve seen from a UK bird list. As you record birds, you unlock digital bird cards, earn points and climb leaderboards. The interface is colourful, simple and designed to feel playful rather than technical. 

You can: 

  • Track your daily sightings 

  • Compete with friends 

  • Set personal challenges 

  • Build your own digital bird collection 

Why it’s great 

  • Encourages regular birdwatching 

  • Ideal for beginners 

  • Adds motivation and fun 

  • Brilliant for families 

It’s a wonderful way to make everyday walks more exciting. 

Merlin Bird ID

If you’ve ever heard a bird singing and wondered what it was — this is the app for you. 

Developed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and powered by eBird, Merlin Bird ID is especially famous for its sound identification tool.

How it works 

Open the app and tap “Sound ID”, then press record. Merlin listens in real time and displays species suggestions as it detects birdsong. Identified birds light up on screen as they sing. 

You can also: 

  • Identify birds by answering five simple questions 

  • Upload a photo for image recognition 

  • Download regional bird packs for offline use 

Why it’s great 

  • Real-time birdsong identification 

  • Beginner-friendly 

  • Visually clear interface 

  • Backed by one of the world’s largest bird databases 

A must-have for spring mornings in Shropshire.

Seek by iNaturalist

Designed with children and young people in mind, Seek makes wildlife discovery feel like a treasure hunt.

How it works 

Instead of uploading photos later, Seek identifies species live through your phone’s camera. Simply point your camera at a plant, insect or animal and the app suggests an ID instantly. 

There’s no need to create an account, and sightings aren’t publicly shared — making it ideal for younger users. 

As you explore, you earn: 

  • Digital badges 

  • Challenges and achievements 

  • Milestones for spotting different groups (birds, fungi, insects and more) 

Why it’s great 

  • Safe and child-friendly 

  • Encourages outdoor exploration 

  • Turns learning into a game 

  • Builds confidence in species recognition 

A fantastic tool for families and school groups.

Mammal Mapper

If mammals are your interest, Mammal Mapper allows you to contribute valuable records across the UK.

How it works 

The home screen offers two main options: 

  • “Report a Sighting” – for one-off observations 

  • “Start Survey” – for structured survey routes 

The app guides you step-by-step, prompting you to add: 

  • Location (via GPS) 

  • Species 

  • Behaviour or field signs 

  • Photos (optional) 

You can also record tracks, droppings and other signs — not just live animals. 

Why it’s great 

  • Supports national mammal monitoring 

  • Simple guided process 

  • Suitable for casual walkers or dedicated surveyors 

  • Helps build long-term conservation data 

Your records directly support mammal conservation efforts. 

British Trees

Run by the Woodland Trust, this app is a step-by-step tree identification guide.

How it works 

Instead of image recognition, British Trees uses guided questions. You select features such as: 

  • Leaf shape 

  • Bark texture 

  • Fruit or seeds 

  • Overall tree shape 

The app narrows down possibilities until you find a match. Each species page includes: 

  • Clear photographs 

  • Key identification tips 

  • Ecological information 

Why it’s great 

  • Excellent for learning tree ID properly 

  • Works well in gardens, parks and countryside 

  • Educational and easy to navigate 

Perfect for autumn walks or spring leaf-spotting.

Pl@ntNet

Pl@ntNet is a global citizen science project focused on plant identification.

How it works 

Upload a photo of a flower, leaf, fruit or bark, and the app analyses it using a vast database of user-submitted images. You’ll receive ranked suggestions with confidence levels. 

The interface allows you to: 

  • Filter by region 

  • Contribute to biodiversity mapping 

  • Browse species by family 

Why it’s great 

  • Strong plant-focused database 

  • Encourages citizen science participation 

  • Helps map biodiversity globally 

A brilliant companion for wildflower walks. 

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