The Wildlife Information Centre

Requesting Biological Data from TWIC

What Data Does TWIC Provide?

TWIC offers all users the following types and formats of data. If you require data in another format please get in touch and we will endeavour to accommodate your request.

Data Type	Details	Excel	PDF	Shapefiles	Google Earth (KML)	JPEG

All Species	All species records (protected, non-protected, and invasive).	X	X	X	X
Notable/Protected Species	EPS, UK protected species, and species of local conservation concern. For the full list of Species Designations included, see: Species Designation Key.	X	X	X	X
Invasive Non-Native Species	Species records from the Scottish Invasive Non-Native Species priority lists: strategic management, and local management and containment. The list of Invasive Non-Native Species included is here: Invasive Non-Native Species.	X	X	X	X
Habitat Data	Phase 1 Habitats (Lothians, Borders and Clackmannanshire), Phase 1 Target Notes (Lothians only), Ancient Woodland Inventory, NVC, Habitat Map of Scotland, CSGN Integrated Habitat Networks (IHN), Native Woodland Survey of Scotland (Woodland Screenings request only).		X	X	X
International and National Designated Sites	SSSI, SAC, SPA, RAMSAR, NNR, LNR(excluding Scottish Borders).		X	X	X
Local Designated Sites	Local Biodiversity Sites (Excluding Falkirk), SWT Wildlife Sites (Only for Scottish Borders, Clacks, East Lothian, Falkirk and Stirling).		X	X	X
Species Distribution Maps (SDM)	Map types showing where species/taxon groups have been recorded (presence) or how frequently selected species/taxon group have been recorded in an area of interest in each 10km, 2km or 1km square. 2km resolution (especially for bird species) is the recommended choice.		X			X
Woodland Screening Report	Comprehensive report in PDF text format, listing all potential biodiversity constraints (or opportunities) from a planting proposal for the site and buffer area - it is available as part of the Woodland Screening data request.		X
Habitat Indicator Species Report	It is used as an aid to flag potential habitats on site that may be affected by a woodland creation proposal. The habitats with indicator lists are Basic Flush, Calcareous Grassland, Unimproved Waxcap Grassland, Heathland and Sphagnum Bog - this report is available as part of the Woodland Screening data request.		X

Commercial Requests

TWIC supplies data to Environmental Consultants and Developers in order to support their work. If you are a commercial user of our data we do charge an administrative fee in order to cover our costs in processing the request and to contribute to our data collation work. For further guidance on the definition of "Commercial" or "Non-Commercial" please consult this page: Guidance on the Definition of Non-Commercial User.

Since 22/11/2021 TWIC has launched a new commercial data request product: the Woodland Screening Data request with the aim of delivering ecological information that is most relevant to forestry agents. The Woodland Screening should be requested for any woodland planting scheme as part of a desktop search prior to species or habitat surveys being undertaken. For guidance and more information see TWIC's Woodland Screening Guidance.

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Costs and Turnaround Time

Our typical turnaround time is 5 working days, however this may occasionally be longer should we have a high caseload or there are staff on leave/absent. You will be notified of the expected turnaround time.

The table below shows prices for our commercial data searches as of 01/04/2021.

Data Request Type	Details	Cost

Consultancy/Woodland Screening	Standard rate, for 1 hour of work.	£135 ex. VAT
Consultancy/Woodland Screening	Every additional 1/2 hour on top of standard rate.	+£62 ex. VAT
Consultancy/Woodland Screening	Rush Job fee: Results ready in 2 working days. The fee is added to the original quote.	+£62 ex. VAT
Consultancy/Woodland Screening	Hourly rate for a large data search (estimated to take at least 8 hours of work).	£83 ex. VAT

Please note that this is not a charge for the data itself, but for the amount of time spent working on the request.

TWIC supplies a quote based on an estimate of how long the request will take to process. This is calculated by the size of the site, size of the buffer zone around the site that is required, and how many categories of data are requested. Sensitive species are included as standard for commercial requests, assuming that confidentiality is assured. TWIC will begin processing your request on acceptance of our quote and our terms and conditions for data supply as found on the data request form.

The late payment fee for invoices not paid within 30 days of issue will be £62 ex. VAT. (issued at TWIC’s discretion).

Non-Commercial Requests

TWIC supplies data to Researchers, Students, Wildlife Recorders and Members of the Public in order to inform leading research, coursework, recording efforts and general interest.

As long as you do not make any financial profit from data supplied by TWIC, there is no administrative charge for data supply. If in doubt, please refer to: Guidance on the Definition of Non-Commercial User.

Our typical turnaround time for non-commercial requests is 10 working days. Should data be required on a shorter notice than this, please contact TWIC to see if we can turn the data around faster. Please note that we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do this. Sensitive species data for non-commercial requests have their grid reference and location data blurred according to NatureScot's Sensitive Species of Scotland recommendations. The recommendations can be found here.

TWIC will begin processing your request on acceptance of our terms and conditions for data supply as found on the data request form.

Sample Data can be downloaded here.

To request data from TWIC please send the relevant data request form (found at the top-left of this page "Data Request Form - Commercial" or "Data Request Form - Research" or "Data Request Form - Member of Public") to admin@wildlifeinformation.co.uk.