Last year I wrote this post. It is by far the most viewed post I have ever written on this blog in 12 years of blogging, with over 3000 views! So I thought we needed to put a little more momentum into it.
So, if you agree with the following statement, why not put your name to it and ideally, let me know who you work for OR say 'rather not say'. Either comment or message me directly. And please share this post like mad so we can get a big list of names going. Yes, some big organisations are doing it wrong but some are getting right, like Butterfly Conservation, BTO and (now) Sussex Wildlife Trust. And publications like British Wildlife and Adastra also get it bang on. If you can think of anymore, please feel free to comment too.
"English names of species should be correctly capitalised and hyphenated, effectively treated as 'proper names'. This should be mandatory and standardised, as is the format for scientific names. There are many different reasons to do this explained more fully in the above mentioned post but perhaps none are more troublesome than the fact that lower case should be reserved for the generic sense, i.e., we have three species of forester in the UK, one of which is the Forester (above). Without the species being correctly capitalised, there is no way to distinguish species from genus. And there are a many different ways this can go wrong, from Small Blue becoming small blue to Little Ringed Plover becoming little ringed plover. The excuse that "capitals look bad on the page" is not a valid excuse. If you are writing primarily about species, they should be written with capitals.
- Little Ringed Plover NOT little ringed plover
- Mediterranean Gull NOT Mediterranean gull
- Silver-washed Fritillary NOT silver washed fritillary
- Forester (or The Forester) NOT forester (or the forester)
The argument that species should be treated as 'proper names' is important. Yes, each species might be comprised of countless millions of individuals but by definition, they are distinct at the genetic level. There is (roughly speaking) one distinct set of code per species. It is this that should be treated as a proper noun/name. If we can be bothered to capitalise the names of man-made dog breeds and models of cars, we owe it to the natural world too."
Organisations, publications and projects that get it right.
- RSPB (changed with help from this campaign)
- BUBO
- IUCN Red List
- UK Species Inventory
- Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust
- Sussex Ornithological Society
- Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland
- The Species Recovery Trust
- Wild Ken Hill
- Buglife (changed due to this campaign)
- Pelagic Publishing (changed due to this campaign)
- Butterfly Conservation (BC)
- British Trust for Ornithology (BTO)
- Sussex Wildlife Trust (changed due to this campaign)
- British Wildlife
- NBN
- iRecord
- Recorder 6
- British Birds
- British Ornithologists' Union (BOU)
- State of Nature
- Back from the Brink
- Adastra (Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre annual publication)
- iNaturalist
1). Graeme Lyons Freelance entomologist and ecologist
2). Tony Davis Senior Ecologist, Butterfly Conservation
3). Michael Pannell
4). Graeme Davis Environmental Correspondent at Love Andover Observer
5). Simon Edwards Self employed
6). Daniel Blyton Amateur entomologist
7). Mark Whittaker Animal Welfare Assistant
8). Adrian Knowles Self-employed Ecologist
9). Martin Bell Amateur naturalist
10). Mark G. Telfer Entomological Consultant
11). Marilyn Abdulla Amateur naturalist & wildlife recorder
12). Malcom Storey Naturalist and wildlife recorder
13). Louis Parkerson Amateur naturalist
14). Julian Small Peatland Restoration Advisor
15). John Pilgrim Ecological Consultant
16). Su Reed Naturalist and wildlife recorder
17). Mike Wall County Moth Recorder for Hampshire
18). Terry Crow Amateur naturalist & wildlife recorder
19). Rachel Bicker Airport Biodiversity Consultant
20). Matthew Oates Field Naturalist and Nature Writer
21). Ralph Hobbs County Recorder for Orthoptera, Sussex
22). David Green Trustee of conservation organisation & Ecologist
23). Rich Billington Associate Professor of Biology and amateur naturalist, University of Plymouth
24). Darren Matthews Former wildlife ranger
25). John Lyden Biology teacher and amateur naturalist
26). Mariska Hattenburger Amateur wildlife recorder
27). Jim Ormerod Amateur birder & naturalist
28). Lloyd Davies Amateur wildlife recorder
29). Judy Staines Amateur naturalist & wildlife recorder
30). Neil Fletcher Environment Support Officer, Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes Environmental Record Centre.
31). Andy Musgrove Ecological Consultant
32). Bill Urwin Naturalist, Marauder, Educationalist (retired)
33). Ai-Lin Kee Amateur Naturalist
34). Kevin Rylands Conservation Adviser Fair to Nature & RSPB
35). John Martin Retired National Vascular Plant Specialist at Natural England
36). Marcus Lawson Ex Dorset Bird Recorder & Dorset Bird Club Chairman
37). Mark Skevington Amateur naturalist, pan-species lister and Naturespot verifier
38). Roman Soroka Armchair naturalist
39). Natasha Clark Amateur naturalist & wildlife recorder
40). Paul French Senior Ornithologist, HiDef aerial surveying
41). Les Evans-Hill Butterfly Conservation Senior Data Officer
42). Dr Barry Yates Ecologist, land manager, studied Zoology at Imperial College in 1970s
43). Clive McKay Ecologist
44). Piers Vigus Management Consultant
45). Dave Gould Amateur naturalist and biological recorder
46). Marc Taylor County Recorder of Diptera, entomological field surveyor and trainer
47). Leon Truscott Cornwall County Moth Recorder
48). Dave Appleton Birder, entomologist, all-round naturalist and wildlife recorder. County recorder for Neuroptera and allies
49). Paul Griggs
50). Alastair Rae
51). Alan Miller Wildlife tour leader
52). Jon Dunn Nature write, wildlife photographer and tour leader
53). Iain Downie eBird Developer, Arachnologist
54). Liam Crowlie Postdoctoral researcher, University of Oxford
55). Edward Pollard Technical Director, the Biodiversity Consultancy
56). Steven Falk Associate Stickler
57). Chris Gibson Freelance naturalist, author, speaker and tour leader
58). Gino Brignoli FSC BioLinks Project Officer
59). Dave Smallshire Retired policy advisor with Defra/NE & retired Naturetrek tour leader
60). Steve Preddy Co-author, Ornithological Society of the Middle East regional bird list, County Dragonfly Recorder, Monmouthshire
61). James Emerson Amateur naturalist
62). Adrian Dutton Entomologist
63). Monty Larkin Writer, retired conservation adviser and founder of Sussex Pony Grazing & Conservation Trust
64). Sean Browne Amateur naturalist
65). Seth Gibson Amateur naturalist on a mission
66). Bill Sutherland Professor of Conservation Biology, University of Cambridge
67). Tristan Bantock Entomologist
68). Alex Prendergast Vascular Plants Senior Specialist, Natural England
69). Adam Rowe LERC Manager
70). Nigel Wheatley Author of books on birds
71). Carey Lodge Amateur recorder
72). Hawk Honey Visitor Officer, Suffolk Wildlife Trust, amateur Hymenopterist
73). Elizabeth Jude
74). Pete Holdaway
75). Vince Smith
76). Jeremy Dagley
77). Finley Hutchinson Amateur entomologist
78). Paul Tout Naturalist, translator
79). Dan Asaw BioLinks Courses
80). Ian Carter Naturalist and author
81). Graham White Ecologist
82). Dawn Balmer Ornithologist
83). Mike Hoit Ornithologist and field ecologist
84). Richard Mabbut Amateur botanist recording in VC55
85). Tim Inskipp Naturalist and author
86). Dawn Nelson Botanist
87). Alistair Shuttleworth Amateur naturalist
88). Hillary Melton-Butcher
89). Jeremy Lindsell Director of Science and Conservation, A Rocha International
90). Linda Robinson VC65 (Botanical) Recorder
91). Thomas Curculio Author and amateur entomologist
92). Audrey E. Turner Butterfly recorder for VC95/Moray
93). Sarah Whild Botanist and biological recorder
94). Alyson Freeman VC32 Botanical recorder
95). Peter Llewellyn Botanist
96). Richard Goldlfinch Amateur naturalist
97). Ian Bennallick BSBI recorder for East Cornwall
98). Mike Crewe Tour guide, environmentalist and editor
99). Chris Vincent Amateur naturalist and moth recorder
100). Jayne Chapman Estate and Conservation Manager, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust
101). Rebecca Jones Marine Ornithologist, Natural England
102). Jason Steel Amateur wildlife photographer
103). Owen Beckett Entomologist
104). Sam Buckton Yorkshire Naturalists Union/British Plant Gall Society
105). Sam Stripp Amateur naturalist
106). Paul Hopkins Amateur naturalist
107). Mark Lawlor Guernsey bird recorder and naturalist
108). Steve Smith Dorset birder
109). Andy Butler Derbyshire birder
110). Kevin Clements Naturalist and Green Space Manager
111). Diana Spencer Bats in Churches
112). Neil Hulme Freelance ecologist and wildlife guide
113). Robin Knill-Jones Retired academic and Lepidoptera recorder
114). Paul Tinsley-Marshall Conservation Evidence Manager, Kent Wildlife Trust
115). Matt Phelps Conservationist and write
116). Savanna van Mesdag PhD student
117). Chris Glanfield Amateur naturalist
118). Denise Wawman Amateur naturalist, Hippobosciade recorder and bird ringer
119). Sam Bayley Consultant Ecologist/Ornithologist
120). Rob Grimmond
121). Tylan Berry County recorder for spiders in Cornwall
122). Ian Hartley Editor Bird Study, Senior Lecturer , Lancaster University
123). Paul Dolman Professor of Conservation Ecology at University of East Anglia
124). Mike Mullis Naturalist
125). Tom Simon Senior Countryside Officer, Epping Forest District Council
126). Liz Palmer Birdwatcher
127). Richard Moore
128). Steph Holt Ecologist
127). Bill Honeywell
128). Chris Raper Manager of the UK Species Inventory, The Natural History Museum
129). Andy Marquis Amateur naturalist
130). Rosemary Parslow BSBI Recorder, Isles of Scilly
131). Rob Large Field Ecologist
132). Steve Dudley COO, British Ornithologists' Union
133). George McGavin Zoologist, entomologist, broadcaster and President of Dorset Wildlife Trust
134). Jake Everitt Countryside and Ecology Manager
135). Robbie Still Digital Transformation Officer at Kent Wildlife Trust
136). Tom Gittings Ecological Consultant
137). Lee Dingain Naturalist, ecological consultant, nature writer, conservationist
138). Julian Hughes Editor of the Welsh Bird Report
139). Tim Thomas Environmental Consultant
140). Steve Elcoate
141). Tony Perry
142). Steve Lister Lifelong birder/naturalist, retired county bird recorder and & annual report write, eBird regional reviewer
143). David @the Hall of Einer Wildlife and nature blogger
144). Warren Maguire Marine Isopod Recording Scheme and linguist
145). Cath Hodsman Insect Artist
146). Libby Morris Amateur naturalist, student and wildlife artist
147). Joe Beale Naturalist
148). Josie Hewitt Amateur naturalist
149). Bob Vaughan
150). Kelly Thomas Senior Ecologist
151). Howard Vaughan All round naturalist, RSPB
152). Jane Thomas Amateur naturalist
153). Lee Hurell Lepidopterist and English teacher
154). Steve J. McWilliam
155). Tim Jonas Amateur naturalist and photographer
156). Philip Amies Retired estate land manager and ecological consultant
157). Dr Phil Saunders Ecologist/ornithologist
158). Ben Lewis Conservation warden, bird charity
159). Bob Foreman Biodiversity Data Lead, Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre
160). Mary Atkinson Field naturalist
161). Harry Hussey Consultant ornithologist
162). Sue Loader Amateur naturalist and recorder
163). Ian Lewis Retired Biochemical Scientist
164). Tom Derutter
165). Martin Roberts County Dragonfly Recorder and amateur naturalist
166). Dan Brown
167). James Lowen Naturalist and author
168). Mark Duffell Botanist, botanical lecturer and surveyor
169). Paul Doherty York birder and producer of wildlife videos
170). John Moon
171). Samantha Batty Horticulturalist and wildlife recorder
172). Brigit Strawbridge Amateur naturalist and author
173). Graham Madge
174). Shaun Pryor Ecological consultant
175). Robert Edgar Retired English Nature Conservation Officer
176). Tony Stones
177). Dan Chaney Birder
178). Ottavio Janner Birder and translator
179). Vanna Bartlett
180). Robin Harris Amateur naturalist
181). Penny Green Ecologist
182). Joshua Styles Botanical Specialist
183). Glenn Norris Ecologist, Sussex Wildlife Trust
184). Simon Hedges Conservationist
185). John Hancox
186). Andy Brown Principal Specialist, Species Conversation
187). James Lowther Molecular Biologist
188). Phil T Lifelong birder
189). Lee Walther National Trust Ranger
190). Dr Clive McKay Ecologist
191). Dr Roger Kendrick Director, C & R Wildlife, Hong Kong. Founder: Asian Lepidoptera Conservation Symposium series.
192). Chloe Edwards Director of Nature Recovery, Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust
193). John Burnham Amateur entomologist and photographer
194). Tim Dixon
195). Mariko Whyte Conservation Officer, Dorset Wildlife Trust
196). Ian Ellis Consultant Ecologist
197). Richard Lewington Wildlife Illustrator
198). Suzy White
199). James Langiewicz Amateur naturalist
200). Dawn Langiewicz Amateur naturalist
201). Liam Olds Entomologist and organiser of the National Oil Beetle Recording Scheme
202). Stephen Wadsworth Ornithologist and Naturalist
203). Brian Clews
204). Wil J. Heaney Ecologist/entomologist
205). Alastair Forsyth Retired ecology technician and teacher, now amateur entomologist
206). Alison Cobbing Amateur naturalist
207). Toby Collett Warden
208). Frances Abraham Sussex Botanical Recording Society
209). Mike Edwards Entomologist
210). John Boback American naturalist
211). Clare Blencowe Head of Sussex Biological Records Centre
212). Dom Price Director, the Species Recovery Trust
213). Stewart Sexton Amateur naturalist
214). Libby Ralph
215). Anne Donnelly Data Officer at ERIC NE
216). Nigel Jennings Volunteer Group Leader, Kent Wildlife Trust
217). Dr Gordon McGlone OBE Conservationist and campaigner
218). Ian Boyd Ecologist
219). Derek Crawley
220). Talya S. Davies
221). Keiron Derek Brown National recorder for earthworms
222). Stepehen Welch Lothian SOC bird recorder
223). Lindsay Morris Amateur naturalist
224). Rich Black Sussex based birder, Sussex Wildlife Trust
225). Dick Alder West Weald Fungi Recording Group
226). Max Barclay Curator of Coleoptera at NHM
227). Mike Prince Natural England, Biodiversity Data Engagement Lead
228).
100% agree. I write articles for the general public. I find capitalising the species makes a point of that being it’s name. After editing and making species lower case it does sound like I am referring to a genus or family and it looses the point and impact.
ReplyDeleteThanks Graeme, can I have your full name and maybe a job title if relevant?
ReplyDeleteGraeme Davis Environmental Correspondent at Love Andover Observer
DeleteI have been doing this for years and whole-heartedly support your stance.
ReplyDeleteAdrian Knowles, Self-employed Ecologist
Completely agree. Mark G. Telfer - Entomological Consultant.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree, and always follow regardless. John Pilgrim, Ecological Consultant.
ReplyDeleteI was taught to do this in BSc Zoology and MSc Biological Sciences Research. Reviewing species reports is a big part of my work now and capitalising the official common names has always made much more sense. Rachel Bicker - Airport Biodiversity Consultant
ReplyDeleteSign me up, and let's get this into the Natural History GCSE.
ReplyDeleteMatthew Oates Field Naturalist & Nature Writer
Always used caps as taught in zoology in Uni in the early 70s. Irks me every time I see lower case for names!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely agree with this, 100%. Without capitalisation confusion reigns. David Green - Trustee of conservation organisations and Ecologist
ReplyDeleteAgree completely: Rich Billington, Associate Professor of Biology and amateur naturalist, University of Plymouth
ReplyDeleteAgree - Ai-Lin Kee, Amateur Naturalist.
ReplyDeleteAgree 100% Kevin Rylands Conservation Adviser Fair to Nature & rspb
ReplyDeleteRight with you on this Graeme, should be standard.
ReplyDeletePlease add my name Graeme as I've never understood why they aren't capitalised standardly. Ex Dorset Bird Recorder & Dorset Bird Club Chairman.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree, and wish (for example) the RSPB and Wildlife Trusts would come to their senses and sort out the style guides for their publications. Lower case vernaculars just create potential for confusion. Mark Skevington - Amateur naturalist, pan-species lister and Naturespot verifier.
ReplyDeleteAgree completely, when communicating clarity is essential. Roman Soroka, armchair naturalist.
ReplyDeleteAgree 100%. Text with and without capitals have completely different meanings. Sandwich Tern is a common tern in England, but it is not a Common Tern in England, or anywhere. Grey Wagtail is a yellow wagtail, but it is not a Yellow Wagtail.
ReplyDeleteAlso, using capitals "for proper names only" is incredibly complex, requiring information on the etymology of a name, which can be extremely obscure, or counter-intuitive. Consistent, fully predictable capitalisation removes this need.
100% agree with you and everyone above on this. RSPB one of the worst offenders.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree and support this campaign. Natasha Clark, amateur naturalist and recorder.
ReplyDeleteAgree. Paul French, Senior Ornithologist, HiDef aerial surveying.
ReplyDeleteAbout time this was addressed.
ReplyDeleteLes Evans-Hill
Butterfly Conservation
Senior Data Officer
Agree completely - Dr Barry Yates ecologist, land manager, studied Zoology at Imperial College in 1970s
ReplyDelete100%. Clive McKay, ecologist
ReplyDeleteAgree completely: Piers Vigus, Management Consultant.
ReplyDeleteI worked for RSPB for 40 years and had to follow their 'House Style' which is lowercase except for proper names. Now I am Chair of Clyde Branch of the Scottish Ornithologists' Club and their House Style is for capitals. Seems much better to me to use capitals
ReplyDeleteI'm in total agreement.
ReplyDeleteDavid Gould. Amateur naturalist and biological recorder.
Graeme, I support this, but need to confess my education was so long ago and so poor, that I had to further read up on the subject and why it is so important. Life, long learning for which I thank you and all those above for their perspectives.
ReplyDeleteMarc Taylor, County Recorder of Diptera, entomological field surveyor and trainer.
Yes, I agree. Leon Truscott, Cornwall County Moth Recorder
ReplyDelete100% agree. Species names are names and should be capitalised. Looks right, is right, avoids ambiguity. Dave Appleton, birder, entomologist, all-round naturalist and wildlife recorder; county recorder for Neuroptera & allies.
ReplyDeleteI was taught to do this in "O" level Biology in the '70s. Whenever I see the convention not being followed the publisher loses my respect. Is it not still taught in schools?
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for all the comments, please keep them coming. A few people have commented but have not mentioned their name and or their job (if they would like it added). Please comment again with all your details so I can put your name on the list. Up to 50 names already!
ReplyDeleteWholeheartedly agree with this. I'd also like to see the grammatical car crash that's some Stacian botanical names overhauled (Early-purple Orchid, I'm looking at you), but that's a fight for another day.
ReplyDeleteJon Dunn (Nature writer, wildlife photographer & tour leader)
Iain Downie (eBird Developer), Arachnologist.
ReplyDeleteAgree and signed. Liam Crowley - Postdoctoral researcher, University of Oxford.
ReplyDeleteSign me up.
ReplyDeleteEdward Pollard, Technical Director, The Biodiversity Consultancy
Happy to be added. Gino Brignoli - FSC BioLinks Project Officer
ReplyDeleteI wholeheartedly support this.
ReplyDeleteSteve Preddy
Co-author, Ornithological Society of the Middle East regional bird list
County Dragonfly Recorder, Monmouthshire
Agreed. James Emerson, Amateur naturalist
ReplyDeleteAdrian Dutton Entomologist
ReplyDelete"...should be mandatory and standardised..."
ReplyDelete'Mandatory' and enforced by whom? Standardised where, and on what platforms or in what media?
As the co-author of a county Flora, that 'recommendation' has my full support; but as Wikipedia administrator (which has a MOS against capitalisation) it doesn't have it. Asking for caps to be mandatory in every publication seems OTT, that's all.
Pondered this one for years and whole-heartedly support your campaign. Monty Larkin - writer, retired conservation advisor and founder of Sussex Pony Grazing & Conservation Trust.
ReplyDeleteCarey Lodge. Amateur recorder.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. Hawk Honey, Visitor officer Suffolk Wildlife Trust, amateur Hymenopterist.
ReplyDeleteDawn Balmer Ornithologist
ReplyDeleteAll for it - let there be clarity!
ReplyDeleteMike Hoit - Ornithologist & field ecologist
Totally agree. Tim Inskipp, naturalist and author (including All Heaven in a Rage (1975), a report on the international bird trade published by the RSPB, before it became the rspb!
ReplyDeleteAgree totally, I allways do.
ReplyDeleteYes. Alistair Shuttleworth, amateur naturalist.
ReplyDeleteHi Graeme - yes I'd sign ... I'm a member of the public but completely agree - thank you - please add me in.
ReplyDeleteAll the best to you - Hilary
Agreed. Richard Goldfinch, amateur naturalist
ReplyDeleteAgree 100% Jayne Chapman. Estates & Conservation Manager, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust
ReplyDeleteAgreed. Rebecca Jones, marine ornithologist, Natural England
ReplyDeleteI agree. Jason Steel, amateur wildlife photographer.
ReplyDeleteI've always thought this! I'll happily sign : Owen Beckett, Entomologist
ReplyDeleteI agree! Sam Buckton, amateur naturalist and pan-species lister, Yorkshire Plant Gall Recorder (Yorkshire Naturalists Union / British Plant Gall Society)
ReplyDeleteAgreed. Sam Stripp, amateur naturalist
ReplyDeleteVery much hope this campaign is effective. Paul Hopkins, amateur naturalist
ReplyDeleteReally hope this campaign is successful. Paul Hopkins, amateur naturalist.
ReplyDeleteOf course! Mark Lawlor, Guernsey Bird recorder & general naturalist
ReplyDeleteSteve Smith, Dorset Birder
ReplyDeleteFully support this campaign
ReplyDeleteAndy Butler - Derbyshire birder
Fully support the campaign - can we get the teaching profession involved country-wide?
ReplyDeleteRobin (retired academic and Lepidoptera Recorder (or recorder of Lepidoptera)!
Count me in Graeme, Paul Tinsley-Marshall, Conservation Evidence Manager, Kent Wildlife Trust
ReplyDeleteAdd me. Ian Hartley, Editor Bird Study (which already does this of course), Senior Lecturer, Lancaster University.
ReplyDeleteYes - definitely agree. Mike Mullis - naturalist.
ReplyDeleteYep, this really annoys me too.
ReplyDeleteTom Simon, Senior Countryside Officer, Epping Forest District Council.
Totally agree! Steph Holt, Ecologist
ReplyDeleteAgreed.
ReplyDeleteHappy to be added - this has long been a battle between editors who have little idea of how vernaculars are used vs naturalists who do understand. I've been railing against this myself for years and am pleased to say that the UK Species Inventory, which I maintain and which underpins iRecord and the NBN Atlas, capitalises vernaculars. A "common spotted orchid" might well be common and spotted but the name isn't descriptive, it's a name that should have logical rules of presentation just like scientific names do.
ReplyDeleteChris Raper, Manager of the UK Species Inventory, The Natural History Museum.
Agree. Amateur Entomologist.
ReplyDeleteAnd there was I, thinking I was ploughing a lone furrow on my blog. Glad to see others are seeing sense.
ReplyDeleteFully on board with this! Robbie Still, Digital Transformation Officer at Kent Wildlife Trust
ReplyDeleteGood idea. About time!
ReplyDeleteI agree. Ecological Consultant
ReplyDeleteCompletely agree.
ReplyDeleteFully agree!
ReplyDeleteYes, this should be done ASAP. Hate the current "fashion police" thinking otherwise.
ReplyDeletePlease sign for me Kelly Thomas, Senior Ecologist
ReplyDeleteHoward Vaughan - all round naturalist. RSPB
ReplyDeleteI agree! It makes things much easier to understand.
ReplyDeleteJane Thomas Amateur naturalist
I'm in. I always treat species as proper nouns when writing - looks wrong otherwise. Lee Hurrell, lepidopterist and English teacher.
ReplyDeleteFully agree !!
ReplyDeleteAgree and fully support.
ReplyDeleteAmateur naturalist and photographer
I wrote to the RSPB on this matter in July 2018, but their excuse was "house style". How feeble can you get?
ReplyDeleteThis shouldn't be a debate, it is simply a matter of what is correct (Capitalised vernacular names) and what is incorrect (varnacular names all in lower case). And not only that but the capitals have to be in the correct places: Silver-washed Fritillary vs. Bottle-Nosed Dolphin. L-albaum Wainscot vs. V-Pug. All correct - it really does matter!
ReplyDeleteI fully support your campaign. Mary Atkinson. Field naturalist
ReplyDeleteHarry Hussey, Consultant Ornithologist
ReplyDeleteI agree, makes perfect sense. Amateur naturalist and recorder.
ReplyDeleteI fully support this initiative. Amateur naturalist and County Dragonfly Recorder
ReplyDeleteMark Duffell, botanist (botanical lecturer and surveyor).
ReplyDelete100% agree
ReplyDeletePaul Doherty York birder and producer of wildlife videos
Yes!
ReplyDeleteI agree, and support this campaign!
ReplyDeleteBrigit Strawbridge - amateur naturalist and author
Shaun Pryor, ecological consultant
ReplyDeleteYes !
ReplyDeleteRobert Edgar - retired English nature Conservation Officer. Fully agree with this.
ReplyDeleteYes I fully agree with this post.
ReplyDeleteFully agree. Ottavio Janni. Birder and translator
ReplyDeleteI agree wholeheartedly!
ReplyDeleteFully agree. Robin Harris, Amateur Naturalist
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Graeme, it's just common sense
ReplyDeleteThanks again everyone, several people (such as the previous two) have signed with no name, please tell me who you are!
ReplyDeleteSupport this wholeheartedly, been capitalizing for years. Please add my name: Simon Hedges, Conservationist
ReplyDeleteSupport this. It’s been a bone of contention with me for years.
ReplyDeleteAndy Brown, Principal Specialist, Species Conservation
ReplyDeleteLee Walther, National Trust Area Ranger
ReplyDeletetotally support the clarity given by usage of species vernacular names as proper nouns.
ReplyDeleteDr. Roger Kendrick, Director, C & R Wildlife, Hong Kong.
Founder: Asian Lepidoptera Conservation Symposium series.
Chloe Edwards, Director of Nature Recovery, Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust
ReplyDeleteAdd me to your year list please graeme. John-burnham (did you see what I did there?) Failed Comedian
ReplyDeleteFrom here on Buglife will capitalise common species names and whole-heartedly supports Graeme’s call for standardisation and a recognition of the significance of the capital letter; not only to discerning information but to emphasise the importance of our natural world and all the species within it (not just Humans and the things closest to us).
ReplyDeleteI'm in!
ReplyDeleteI thought I had signed but maybe not yet. Mariko Whyte Conservation Officer, Dorset Wildlife Trust
ReplyDeleteI may have been doing this for years and will do as Graham suggests. He may remember me from his electro-fishing at Leighton Moss some years ago
ReplyDeleteTwintoo, I can't see what your name is to put you on the list, or remember you!
ReplyDeleteAgreed. Ian Ellis, Consultant Ecologist
ReplyDeleteDefinitely, count me in!
ReplyDeleteWe certainly agree and this has been our standard for as long as we can remember
ReplyDeleteI support this Graeme. Can you add me to the list.
ReplyDeleteLiam Olds, Entomologist and organiser of the National Oil Beetle Recording Scheme.
Totally agree, should never have been messed with.
ReplyDeleteStephen Wadsworth
Ornithologist and Naturalist
Totaaly agree, capitals are best
ReplyDeleteI agree - about time!
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the comments, several people have shown their support but have not given your name/full name, so I can't add you to the list! Please add your full name if you can!
ReplyDeleteI have been amazed at this confusion for years. I have ALWAYS used capitals for English names of species and will continue to do so. Anyone who would care to join me, feel free!
ReplyDeleteGraeme, commented in other bit as you have seen. Alastair Forsyth, retired (ecology technician, teacher), now amateur entomologist.
ReplyDeleteI fully support this approach and promote it in our Lundy Field Society publications. Well done.
ReplyDeletePlease comment with your full name and an occupation, so I can add you to the list! Many thanks. Graeme.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I hadn't realised that standards had been slipping. My occupation is not relevant but I am an amateur enthusiast regarding nature and incidentally love the Latin names. Alison Cobbing.
ReplyDeleteFor the list Graeme. Toby Collett - Warden
ReplyDeleteReally useful campaign. Submitted an article to our local paper this week, capitalised everything and explained about the campaign. Head journalist acknowedged the push and said he'd raise it with the editors - but every capital was edited out when published.
ReplyDeleteAnne Donnelly, Data Officer @ ERIC NE.
ReplyDeleteIt hurts my eyes when wildlife publications don't capitlise properly. Not quite as painful as misplaced apostrophes though.
I agree. No other logical way to do it. Shouldn't even be any need for discussion, it's just best practice.
ReplyDeleteI always regard *not* using capitals as ignorant & poor grammar: I had no idea it was a 'thing'! Absolutely essential that proper names are used, properly, with capitals. With you 100%.
ReplyDeleteHappy to add my name. There is too much sloppiness in scientific writing these days.
ReplyDeleteNigel Jennings
Volunteer Group Leader, Kent Wildlife Trust
Happy to add my name. There is too much sloppiness in scientific writing these days.
ReplyDeleteNigel Jennings
Volunteer Group Leader, Kent Wildlife Trust
In full agreement with this capitalization/hyphenation campaign.
ReplyDeleteThis, and the previous post, are an interesting topic. I have been interested in wildlife for many years and record sightings etc, but I've not had much call to write about species until recently. I am now an Apprentice with Cornwall Wildlife Trust and have assignments to write and have noticed the inconsistencies of what is capitalised and/or hyphenated. As such I am struggling a little to correctly capitalise this sentence in my current assignment: “Wood Mice are an important food source for Tawny Owls and will also be preyed on by other animals including foxes, badgers, cats and weasels.” Should I capitalise Badgers and Weasels as they are species names? I’m not sure about foxes, as the species is Red Fox, so fox isn’t specific, yet it’s the only species of fox in the UK, so should it still be capitalised? Cats is another one, it’s not a specific species (although all domestic cats are the same one species despite being called different breeds).
ReplyDeleteI’d be interested in your thoughts.
Also, in a related vein. I know Cow Parsley as Keck, would that be capitalised as a regional name rather than an 'official' one?
Regards,
Laura Hackett (and I am happy to go onto the list in favour of capitals, too)
Happy to add my name. Keiron Derek Brown,National Recorder for Earthworms
ReplyDeleteStephen Welch, Lothian SOC bird recorder
ReplyDeleteYes please - Lindsay Morris amateur naturalist
ReplyDeleteI hav been introduced to this site by a friend...
ReplyDeleteI've been using capital letters for the Animal,Plant and all Kingdoms for years....l'm very happy to add my name to this campaign..Much in the Human attitude needs change!happy to vhappy
Let's keep this going, it makes perfect 'common name' sense. There seems to be a continued tide of support, hopefully ZSL will join the march too. Dave Clarke, Curatorial Lead Terrestrial Invertebrates, London Zoo, ZSL
ReplyDelete