Update #2:
Only a couple of short months after writing this, the Cornell Lab released their own eBird app, which will replace BirdLog North America. Cornell's app is free and functions almost identically to BirdLog North America but with some bug fixes and a prettier user interface. I highly recommend trying their app and find it very useful, especially if I do not have a location pre-entered into Birdwatcher's Diary.
Update:
Since writing this review I have used both apps for a few weeks and my while my assessment of each remains the same, I have found myself primarily using Birdwatcher's Diary. Maybe its because I like to record everything when I see a species and I love that I can record coordinates with Birdwatcher's Diary. I also find that increasing count numbers is easier with this app. I do still wish that the developers could include a list of eBird hotspots, a search function, and a self-updating species list that includes all eBird categories. Despite my tendency to favor Birdwatcher's Diary, both apps are very nice and in the end it comes down to personal preference.
Only a couple of short months after writing this, the Cornell Lab released their own eBird app, which will replace BirdLog North America. Cornell's app is free and functions almost identically to BirdLog North America but with some bug fixes and a prettier user interface. I highly recommend trying their app and find it very useful, especially if I do not have a location pre-entered into Birdwatcher's Diary.
Update:
Since writing this review I have used both apps for a few weeks and my while my assessment of each remains the same, I have found myself primarily using Birdwatcher's Diary. Maybe its because I like to record everything when I see a species and I love that I can record coordinates with Birdwatcher's Diary. I also find that increasing count numbers is easier with this app. I do still wish that the developers could include a list of eBird hotspots, a search function, and a self-updating species list that includes all eBird categories. Despite my tendency to favor Birdwatcher's Diary, both apps are very nice and in the end it comes down to personal preference.
Birdwatcher's Diary v 7.0.4
$12.99 Perks: The app is overflowing with features, even giving you options to import and export files to your liking. That means that you can use this app to record sightings of anything, not just birds and you can back up the files from this app in several different ways, including on your device, computer, or Dropbox. This app includes "None" as a built-in location. Let's say you are headed to your favorite birding spot and as you are traveling, you see a Rough-legged Hawk! Choosing the "None" location allows you to quickly capture the lat/long and record the sighting without having to try to figure out where you are and set up a location for eBird. The app allows you to see your sightings on a map for your current location or for the day. Once you have started logging species for the day, you can switch from "All" species to "Seen" species. This gives you a list of the species that you have seen for the day and makes adding counts and notes easier. This app comes with ample description and documentation, both within the app store and on their website. I really liked that the developers gave you an excellent understanding of both the opportunities and limitations of the software before purchase. I would recommend reviewing it before purchase and definitely going through the documentation after purchase: Birdwatcher's Diary User's Manual In addition to the user's manual, the website offers a video tutorial of how to use the basic features: Birdwatcher's Diary Video Tutorial 50% of the proceeds go to local bird conservation organizations (presumably in California). Downsides: This app does not provide a list or map of eBird hotspots. If you want to submit your lists to eBird through the app, you have to manually input the eBird locations into the app by going online to eBird, checking the spelling of the eBird hotspot that you will be birding, and then manually entering it into the app. This definitely involves planning ahead or your lists will not import into eBird hotspots as they should. There is no species search function. While this app does have a nice indexing feature which includes what that they call Enhanced Intelliscroll, it would still be nice to have a search function for when you are really on a roll in the field. The developers provide a number of species lists on their website (very nice of them), but the North American list only contains species (no spuhs, slashes, forms, and hybrids). If you want these, you have to use the world list, which significantly increases the number of birds to scroll through. *I have created a list of North American bird species based on eBird that matches The Sibley Guide to Birds, 2nd edition. This list includes spuhs, slashes, hybrids, and forms. Information and files can be found here. This app only creates daily lists (you cannot save your entries by location only). For example, let's say you visit 3 birding locations in one day. You will select a new location in Birdwatcher's Diary in order to record sightings at each location, but when you archive your list, you will archive all 3 locations together by the date (they will still be retain the information from the 3 locations). You cannot save one location, erase the sightings, bird another location, and then save those sightings without overwriting the first location's settings. This app is set up to archive by date NOT location. Be careful archiving! Do not clear your sightings until you have finished archiving for the day. Do not switch master lists once you have started logging sitings unless you have finished for the day. Because of this, you have to remember to switch your location as needed throughout a day. The Bottom Line: If you want to do more than simply record and report to eBird (record coordinates, view coordinates, record species other than birds) and have the time and patience to learn the app, then this one is for you. Notes: This app takes some time to learn, which I would definitely recommend that you do before you head out to bird. The length of the user's manual is both a downside and a plus. They did a great job of documenting the app and instructions for using the features; the downside is that it will take a decent time investment to become familiar with all of the features this app offers. |
BirdLog North America v 1.8
$9.99 Perks: This app has a nice, clean look and feel. The species list is frequently refreshed from eBird (unless you are in offline mode) and appears to include eBird spuhs, slashes, forms, and hybrids. Searching for "Red", for example, will bring up species who's name not only starts with "red" but also has "red" anywhere in it's name, i.e. American Redstart. I would love to see this function in Birdwatcher's Diary. You can start as many checklists as you would like for a day. The app benefits the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, but it does not state the % of proceeds that go to the lab. Downsides: This app does not come with any documentation. All it offers is a 16 item FAQs (which includes Troubleshooting) on their website. I ended up purchasing both apps (Birdwatcher's Diary and BirdLog NA) for this review because I was uncertain that BirdLog NA have sufficient features. Personally, the app store and website screenshots were not enough to answer my questions prior to purchase. This app is only for North America, which for some reason does not include Mexico. If you would like worldwide birding lists and eBird submission, you will need to purchase the BirdLog Worldwide app (currently $19.99). Finding eBird hotspots only works for my current location. "Choose A Location from a Map" only allows me to select a hotspot from my current city. Makes sense when you are in the field, but for planning ahead this does not work well. I assume it is because they also have an eBird hotspot app for purchase. This app appears be using my location to selectively filter the species I am most likely to see.
This is certainly the case with the "Likely" tab, but it appears to be also be the case in the "All" tab. It would be nice if the "All" tab automatically reverted to the entire North American checklist of species rather than having to add the step of clicking on "search the entire database".
The Bottom Line:
This app is incredibly easy to use. If your goal is to simply record your sightings, submit your checklist to ebird, and maybe email checklists to a friend or listserv, then this app will do the job. The Process:
Since I did not find the online information sufficient prior to purchase, here is a walk through of the use of this app. When you open the app, it automatically has you log in to your eBird account or create an account; a nice feature for eBird users. Starting a new checklist immediately takes you to selecting your location, which includes lists of eBird hotspots, recent locations, creating personal locations, or creating an offline checklist. The next step is to choose your date and time. The app then takes you to a list of species that you can search by species name or code. As you search, it defaults to "Likely" for species that you are likely to see from you location. Choosing "All" appears to give you the same results unless you tap on "Search Entire Database". It would be nice if only "All" tab automatically reverted to the entire North American checklist of species. When you choose a species, you have the option to input the quantity and any comments. Beware, when I hit "Review and Submit" it automatically submitted my checklist without giving me the option to review. This part was a little unsettling because as I was choosing the appropriate options for eBird submission, at the bottom of the form was a list of birds. I would expect this to be a list of the birds I had recorded on this list, but instead it was the search list that had appeared when I was looking for my most recent bird, a House Finch (I did not record a House Sparrow or House Wren): I emailed the developers about this issue, but they were not able to recreate it. I followed their instructions to shut down the app and, since that did not work, reinstall the app. Neither worked for me, but maybe it is just a glitch on my device.
If "Create Offline Checklist" is selected, you have the option to use a "Full Taxonomy" or "Recent Checklist". When choosing "Full Taxonomy" a search for Cackling Goose yields the following results:
Once you submit a list, you have an option to email your list to yourself or others, a nice feature.
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