A JOINT workshop, hosted by ERCCIS, Bude Valley Survey Group and Cornwall Wildlife Trust, saw 12 volunteers given expert tuition by ERCCIS data officer, Martin Goodall, who had travelled from near Truro for an intensive afternoon session.

The volunteers were individuals and staff from CORMAC and the National Trust. Martin gave an overview of the online recording Kernow and Isles of Scilly website, before plunging into data entry, verification and analysis.

There was a range of abilities from those who had never used the system before, up to those who were competent at data entry, but wanted to develop their skills further.

ORKS is an online web-based platform, allowing readers and surveyors to enter their sightings of local flora and fauna, using as little as the four basic facts — what was seen, where it was seen, when it was seen and who the person is.

The system has over 53,000 current records entered since it went online two years ago, but the power lies in the 6,000,000 records gathered over many years by ERCCIS, which are gradually being made available to researchers free and without restriction.

Another session is planned to take place in the new year, and anyone wishing to record their sightings is encouraged to view ORKS at www.orks.org.uk and email the local contact for more details, or to reserve a place on the next workshop by contacting [email protected]