Software, DVDs, Recordings etc.

Listing Software Options

Most birders keep their bird lists either using an excel spreadsheet or a dedicated commercial listing software or app. But cloud-based services also offer a viable alternative, which may have advantages.

Geo-coded observations and photos, automatic taxonomic update, subspecies tools, trip-report publishing & etc. It is even possible to select your next destination based on the maximum number of lifers available. So, do you choose the right online birding software for your particular needs, and how easy will it be to import your data?

First things first, cloud-based services provide effective and secure storage. If you ever had a disk crash or lost your laptop you know how it feels to see all records vanish in a flash with no hope of ever seeing them again. Stand-alone computers require regular back-ups and any sensible user will store in the ‘cloud’. Online services provide automatic back up, not just now and then, but all the time; every time you make a tiny change! The ‘cloud’ stores all their client’s data with multiple back-ups, around the clock. But you can do this for yourself too.

An advantage of an on-line system is that your records can then be accessed from any location in the world, at any time. Beyond security and accessibility, some cloud-based services offer help with managing your lists and making the most out of your observations. Again, travelling birders should be able to access anything they have saved to the cloud too.

Continuous taxonomic updates are, of course, guarantied with on-line systems, and stand-alone apps and software will need to be regularly updated. Personal records, such as an excel sheet will have to be done by hand… although, personally, I find that journey of discovery and enjoyable process. The two most popular taxonomies – IOC and Clements – have recently been amalgamated into AviList – at last an i9nternationally agreed taxonomy.

Given the number of splits, lumps, name changes, sequence changes, etc., it’s a hard job keeping up with updates, if you do your own thing. It’s certainly easier with a system that handles it all for you. Moreover, if its web-based it’s somewhat future proofed… you don’t have to move your records every time you find better software, with on-line solutions the code is updated for you as it is with apps and other software, although some will require a subscription.

Some birding software offers tools for importing your data in less than an hour! Records can be transferred quickly with smart software. Some apps and software even have pre-defined import wizards for various databases that also allows you to create your own template based on what your current data file looks like – which for many of us is an MS Office Excel spreadsheet. The smart operators have also worked hard to create the software to import your data from some of the existing popular (and even defunct) bird listing software.

North Island Saddleback Philesturnus rufusater – ©Dubi Shapiro

It’s not all completely trouble free – some work can remain: if you have not been on top of taxonomic changes for a few years, some species may not be recognised, or assigned to the wrong taxon (because it has been split once, in some cases even more than once) or even reassigned to a different family! That Sandwich Tern that you saw in South America, is now called a Cabot’s Tern. This is another reason many birders choose apps or software equipped with the tools to help you do the matches in a simple and informative way, so that you can quickly be back in complete control of your lists!

Most of us keep records like a stamp collection that sits in a dusty draw ready to pass to the next generation who may be completely uninterested. We list for our own enjoyment or study. However, these days you can share your information as an ordinary birder whether or not you are competitive. Several citizen science projects depend on birders submitting their records to help monitor, study and protect wildlife; eBird being probably the most important globally. So, the best software enables you to synchronise geo-coded observation with eBird or local systems like the UK’s BTO BirdTrack. Make sure the software you choose enables you to import from eBird too.

With all sorts of mobile devices, and growing connectivity you want to use the system in the field to record your sightings in real-time, that will mean you don’t have to do it all again when you get home whether it’s from the overseas trip or the patch visit. Many systems have built-in geolocation too.

Most of us birders are aware that recording observations at the subspecies level may lead to ‘armchair ticks’ later on. So, software that handles subspecies is a must; ideally tools for assigning observations to subspecies level should be user-friendly so you can make the most of your old records.

More and more birders now like to take photos for which you need a system that allows them to be added to your observations. Moreover, some help you with observation maps allowing you to combine everything in a trip-report all in up-to-date taxonomic order. The best systems allow you to consult your data for any given date, like a diary, showing you which lifers or year-ticks you got that day, who was with you, what the weather was like, etc.

Apps are listed on the apps page…