An underwater photograph of a large, translucent compass jellyfish with brown markings and long tentacles swimming towards the surface, backlit by sun rays.

Wildlife sightings data

Your wildlife sighting reports are helping make a difference to our ocean. We use scientific data, like this, to campaign for real change in the way we manage and protect our seas.

    Your contributions make a difference

    People from all over the country have been contributing to scientific research by telling us what they spotted on their trip to the coast.

    A huge thank you to all of you who reported your sightings. By telling us what you spotted, we are able to discover more about the health of our ocean.

    1417

    Jellyfish sightings reported from Oct 2025-Sept 2026

    Here's what you found - 2025

    Wildlife Sightings Annual Report

    In 2025 we had over 1,300 jellyfish reports from hundreds of you across the UK and Ireland, as well as 12 turtle sightings! You can read the full report below.

    From October 2025 - September 2026 you recorded 1,417 sightings - amazing! Please look out for the full 2026 report coming soon or sign up for emails at the bottom of the page to be the first to hear when it lands.

    2025 Wildlife Sightings Report

    Jellyfish insights

    We work with universities to publish the data collected as part of this project.

    We've been running the jellyfish survey for 20 years. We're currently working to publish the latest trends on jellyfish in UK waters. Stay tuned to find out what your sightings tell us!

    Read the latest published paper
    A blue jellyfish shown from below swimming in blue water with sunlight filtering through. It appears ethereal with long thread-like tendrils coming from it's ghostly, floaty bell.

    Blue jellyfish  |  Image credit: Mark Kirkland

    Turtle insights

    In 2025, twelve turtle sightings were reported to us: nine leatherbacks, one loggerhead, and two unidentified. All but one of these was seen in the sea, with only one stranded turtle reported.

    These sightings fed into the UK Turtle Implementation Group's annual report, of which we are a leading partner.

    This report was updated in spring 2026, with the latest turtle sightings data from 2025.

    Read the latest published paper
    A large, dark leatherback sea turtle swimming at the surface of blue water, with its leathery shell and seven longitudinal ridges visible.

    A leatherback in UK waters  |  Image credit: Colin Speedie

    It's not too late to report a sighting

    We record your sightings all year round. They provide vital information about our ocean's inhabitants and contribute to scientific research which finds solutions to protect our seas.

    Report now

    Other citizen science projects to try

    Cut out images of two people holding litter pickers, plus litter items such as a disposable coffee cup and plastic bottle are on the left side. A dotted line leads to the right side, showing the ocean and some marine animals

    Do an in-land clean

    Source to Sea litter picks stop litter from reaching our seas in the first place - get involved in your local town.
    A large group of approximately 30 volunteers participating in a beach clean event stand smiling on a pebble beach, many holding litter pickers and bags, with a pier visible in the background.

    Find a beach clean

    Join one of our beach clean surveys and help keep Britain's beaches beautiful and our ocean safe for wildlife.
    Two women, participating in the Big Seaweed Search, are crouched on a rocky, seaweed-covered shore near the ocean. One woman holds a clipboard and points at something on the ground, while the other looks down at her hand.

    Big Seaweed Search

    Help identify, photograph and record 14 key UK seaweed species to help understand the impact of environmental change on our seas.