Report Wildlife Observations

The RIDEM Division of Fish and Wildlife requests the public’s assistance in reporting observations of wildlife throughout the state. Observations from citizen scientists help our state biologists understand the distribution, abundance and health of our native wildlife.

To report your observation online, click the appropriate button below. If you expect to report observations frequently, we recommend downloading the FREE Survey123 app on your smartphone. You only need to download the app once. Click on the appropriate survey button below and select “open in the Survey123 Field App”, the application will automatically download and you can enter future observations from the application on your phone!

General Wildlife Observations

Year-round

Send the Division of Fish and Wildlife observations of bobcats, American black bears, coyotes, and other wildlife sightings to our email to help inform research on wildlife populations in Rhode Island.

Report Sighting

Wild Turkey Brood Survey

July 1st–Aug 31st

Report summer sightings of wild turkey hens, toms, and poults (chicks) to state biologists to help inform research on the reproductive success and health of turkeys in our state.

Report Wild Turkey Brood Guide PDF file, less than 1

Report Sighting

Herp Observer

Report your sightings of frogs, toads, salamanders, snakes and turtles to our State Herpetologist to provide information on the distribution of reptiles and amphibians in RI. View collected observation data at www.dem.ri.gov/herpstorymap

Guide for Reporting Herp Sighting PDF file, about 3

Report Sighting

Summer Deer Survey

Aug 1st-Sept 30th

Report sightings of white-tailed deer seen from August 1st through September 30th to help state biologists obtain fawn to doe ratios and an index of reproduction rates through time.

Guide for Reporting White-Tailed Deer Sighting PDF file, less than 1

Report Sighting

A tom turkey walking in a field — Photo by Desmos Photos

Banded Birds

Click here to learn how to report bands from waterfowl, mourning doves, songbirds, shorebirds, and wild turkeys

Guide for Reporting Banded Bird Sighting PDF file, less than 1

Migratory Birds (e.g., Ducks, Geese, and Mourning Doves)

To report a band, visit www.reportband.gov. If the band is unreadable and numbers are worn off, email bandreports@usgs.gov.

Songbirds, Shorebirds, and other Non-Game Bird Species

To report a band, visit www.reportband.gov. If the band is unreadable and numbers are worn off, email bandreports@usgs.gov.

Wild Turkeys

Non-migratory birds are managed differently—on a state-by-state level. The Rhode Island wild turkey banding project is solely for in-state population monitoring to obtain demographic rates such as survival. This project does not provide data for the USFWS Migratory Bird Program, so bands should not be reported the same way as waterfowl/mourning dove bands. If you harvest, find, or re-sight a banded turkey, please call the RIDEM Division of Fish and Wildlife office at (401) 789-0281. This phone number is etched on the band as well. You can also report wild turkey bands through the community science app Survey123. Click here to access the survey: https://arcg.is/XTHjW0

Songbird Mortality Report

Year-round

Report dead or dying wild birds observed within the state of Rhode Island.

NOTE: There are normal reasons for bird mortality. A standard indicator for disease is observing several (5-10) dead birds over a short period at a single location. However, during times of certain disease outbreaks, such as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, observing a single bird washed up on the beach is worth reporting.

Report Observations

Bee Observer

Year-round

Report your sightings of wild bees to our State Pollinator Entomologist to provide information on the distribution and status of wild bees in Rhode Island.

Bee Observer Submision Guide PDF file, less than 1

Report Observations