Bird Year Birding App is divided into two panels:
A Sighting Map that shows the exact location of each of your Bird sightings
A Sighting Table that lists each Bird sighting in alphabetical or chronological sighting order
The size of each panel can be adjusted by dragging the dividing bar between the panels up and down.
The Menu Bar at the bottom of the App is used to Add New Sightings; Create Reports and Graphics that can be shared with other Birders via Printing, E-Mail, Messaging, Social Media and via eBird Uploads; and a Criteria function that allows you to review your sighting by Date, Nation, State/Province or City/Town.
Add New Sighting
Tap the Add New Sighting and you will see the New Sighting Popup. You find your bird by typing into the Search Bar (and selecting the Bird from the Table) or use the Spinners. The Spinners categorize each bird into Family groups both scientific classifications and conventional categorization: for instance Sparrows are listed as Emberizids and as Sparrows (New World).
Once a specific Bird is selected . . the App will calculate the Latitude/Logitude of the sighting; the address, city and state; and the current date and time. In addition you’ll see a photo of the Bird; Common Name and Scientific Name; and links to Wikipedia and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology Article.
If you are using an iPad without an enabled data plan (or have a poor GPS or Phone Signal) you can update the location when you return to a WIFI connection by tapping the location link.
Location
On the location screen . . . you can search for a particularly address and/or drag the map around until the cross hairs are on the location of your sighting. When you’ve go the location . . . tap the Derive Address Button to get the actual Address, City and State.
Other
Similarly there are Popups that allow the user to change the Date/Time of the Sighting; specify the number of birds sighted; add free form comments; designate Bird gender; land type (public or private); and specify how the Bird was identified (by eye or by ear).
Your Photos
You can attach your photos from the sighting to the individual bird by tapping the Your Photos link.
Working with the Sighting Table
Once your sightings have been recorded . . . you can manage your sighting in the Sightings Table:
- Delete a sighting by swiping left and tapping the delete button
- Sorting by toggling the Bird/Date Buttons
- Tapping the Criteria Button and Limiting your sightings by Date, Nation, State/Province and showing only unique Bird sightings.
- Tapping a row in the Sighting Table allows you to view and/or change the sighting details.
Working with the Sighting Map
Once your sightings have been recorded . . . you can manage your sighting in the Sightings Map:
- Using Conventional Pinch/Swipe Getstures to adjust the Map.
- Each sighting is represented by a small icon on the sighted bird.
- Tapping a Bird Icon shows a popup balloon with the name of the Bird and the Date is was seen. Tap the ballon’s information Button allows you to view and/or change the sighting details.
- Change the Map Type (2D/3D/Satelite/Hybrid)
- Tap the Show location Button to zoom to your current location
Action Menu
Share your sightings with other Birders via the Action Menu. Your Sighting Map; your Sighting Table; and individual sightings can be Messaged; E-Mailed and sent to social media sights like Facebook.
In addition App can creat an eBird Record Format (Extended) (based upon current Criteria) that can be uploaded to eBird. The App will create a file that you can mail to your PC or Mac and then upload to http://ebird.org/ebird/import/upload.form?theme=ebird.
Local Birds
Tap the “Local Birds” Button and you will be presented with a screen of species sighting frequency in you county by month. Use the spinners to study frequency in other locales and months.
Contact Us
If you have questions, please contact us at:
PVI Maine LLC
117 Cushman Point Road
Wiscasset, Maine 04578
1-207-671-2006