Accepted Way to Record Foray Results?

[Sickener]

I've had a search to see if this has been covered in this forum, but turned nothing up. Despite that, my apologies if I am covering old ground here.

I was wondering if there is a correct way to record what is discovered in the field? Is there a set list of observations, do some people write reams of prose, do some people just try to identify what they see and record nothing?

Do people have note books, spreadsheets etc?

As a beginner to fungi hunting I'd hate to look back after a year or so and realise I'd not recorded everything sufficiently. I guess even the newest of noobs could accidentally discover something very interesting which, if properly recorded, could be of conservation use etc.

[Paul mabbott]

There have been quite lengthy threads - I suggest searching for "notebook" and "spreadsheet"!

People vary in what they record - the advent of computers and digital cameras has in various ways altered what you need to write (some people do write things up in great detail).

Unless you have a wondrous memory or use a tape recorder then you'll need to make records of some kind. I tend to use a very scruffy notebook now and log all the information immediately onto a spreadsheet; although in the past I have printed off worksheets on a day-by-day basis: the advantage of this is that you have spaces for (e.g.) date, time, place, weather conditions which prompts you fill them in!

Descriptions are time-consuming, a sample (if it's not something rare/endangered) or photographs are better. When taking photos do one of the site, one of the whole plant, one of the particular organism, one of any diagnostic parts &c .....

If you just want the records for your own interest then you can do what you want but if you are passing your records on to recording schemes (as I hope you will) then your identifications must be accurate (with evidence to back them up in some cases): otherwise the basic information you require is date, location (at least six-figure grid reference), quantity - other information (environment, activity &c) is often useful.

Good luck.

Originally Posted by Sickener

I've had a search to see if this has been covered in this forum, but turned nothing up. Despite that, my apologies if I am covering old ground here.

I was wondering if there is a correct way to record what is discovered in the field? Is there a set list of observations, do some people write reams of prose, do some people just try to identify what they see and record nothing?

Do people have note books, spreadsheets etc?

As a beginner to fungi hunting I'd hate to look back after a year or so and realise I'd not recorded everything sufficiently. I guess even the newest of noobs could accidentally discover something very interesting which, if properly recorded, could be of conservation use etc.

[Sickener]

Thanks Paul for that great reply, it has clarified what I need to do and the best way to do it. I will also do those searches that you suggest!

I certainly wouldn't have thought to include a 6 figure grid ref but I will now (and get more use out of my new GPS the GF bought me!). I will check out how I go about contributing to a recording scheme too.