Birding Apps

dave broome · Status: Offline

RE: Birding Apps

Mike Savage · Status: Offline

Hi all

re Collins Guide - I love this app and use it all the time, but as a bad birder I can't help feeling the videos could be improved - so many are very good close-ups, but few of birds from a distance that can help novices like me get a feel for the jizz of birds. What do others think?

Mike

Pete Hines · Status: Offline

The Surfbirds app has a You Tube icon which a direct link to their playlist of rare bird videos. Max Whitby at Touchpress hoped the Collins Bird Guide app for Android would be available by the end of the year and would keep me informed.

Keith Mills · Status: Offline

keith mills wrote:

Pete Hines wrote:

Of interest to GM birders. The new edition of the Collins Bird Guide app (released on 10th December 2014) includes my video of the Wince Brook Siberian Chiffchaff. Currently only available to download on iPhone, iPad or iPod touch it will soon be available to download to Android. Info from touchpress pers. comm.

That's great news for us android users, Peter.
I could not find any reference to the android release date on the Touchpress site.
However I have subscribed to their newsletter and sent them an e-mail.
Is this some insider source you got it from?
Congratulations re the Siberian Chiffchaff....

I have now had a reply from Nick Hermann at Touchpress, over my query over the Android version release date.
I summarise his reply below:
1) they are seeing a high demand for an Android version
2)they have definitely not ruled it out... for the future.
3) he is afraid that he is unable to indicate when this might be.

I appear to have heard all this before vis-a-vis the Bird Guide APP!

Craig Higson · Status: Offline

Yep, Bird Journal is great. I must admit I wasn't aware you could export records without paying for the premium account though - I'll have to look into that. I only really use it for life/year/site list recording to be honest, and for these it works a treat.

Jon Bowen · Status: Offline

Glad you like it Richard, the addition of other country bird list means you can use it abroad and exporting to produce lists to submit to county recorder is also a lot easier...

Richard Thew wrote:

Birdlog app update. Just thought I'd mention that i've started using the suggested Bluebirds Bird journal app. I had shied away from this before because it involved online connection and in-app purchases. I found these views I had was unfounded thanks to those recommendations given last week, as even though you do log in, this is to secure your own private list as a back-up online and to aid consevation. The in-app purchase as I understand is for "extra" features and is not essential to the records logged. So anyone reading this who is looking for a bird log app, I recommend this Bird journal. I really like it so far and you can customise and add your own detail features- something i've not seen before and was also an idea I had if i could create my own too -(Looks like I no longer need to now). Many thanks to you!

Richard Thew · Status: Offline

Birdlog app update. Just thought I'd mention that i've started using the suggested Bluebirds Bird journal app. I had shied away from this before because it involved online connection and in-app purchases. I found these views I had was unfounded thanks to those recommendations given last week, as even though you do log in, this is to secure your own private list as a back-up online and to aid consevation. The in-app purchase as I understand is for "extra" features and is not essential to the records logged. So anyone reading this who is looking for a bird log app, I recommend this Bird journal. I really like it so far and you can customise and add your own detail features- something i've not seen before and was also an idea I had if i could create my own too -(Looks like I no longer need to now). Many thanks to you!

Richard Thew · Status: Offline

A big Thankyou both Jon and Rob for replying to my previous post. Its not often I look into the discussion part so my appologies for not promptly acknowledge the posts. I will look into both of these so many thanks for this indeed. At the present moment, just to have a lifelist log that I can rely on at the would be a bonus in itself. My closest dream app that I did currently use ended up wiping out all my notes etc from it leaving me upset as it took me ages to write itall. This is just one reason why I only wish I could create my own android app as I certainly couldn't find anything else to suit. Anyway, now to log out and try your suggestions.......

Jon Bowen · Status: Offline

Hi Richard - not sure it fits but Bird Journal from Bluebirds Technology is a great app that I have been using for a few years. Recent upgrade means it syncs across all devices and you can add own photos etc....

Richard Thew wrote:

HELP NEEDED!! This is my first discussion post in this forum so here goes... I've noticed in the android google play apps there is a gap that needs filling.There are a few birdlogs out there but there Is cucurrently non that has done something very easy to use that is more designed for 1st sightings and experiences with a possibly adding a photo taken of the species logged (plus other new features). I would love to program and create my own but I do not know how or if anyone out there is able to do such a thing. I have carefully designed one on paper but that's as far as I can go. Please could anyone give any help in this area. Will be very much apreciated. Thanks.

-- Edited by Jon Bowen on Tuesday 30th of December 2014 10:14:49 PM

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

Richard Thew wrote:

HELP NEEDED!! This is my first discussion post in this forum so here goes... I've noticed in the android google play apps there is a gap that needs filling.There are a few birdlogs out there but there Is cucurrently non that has done something very easy to use that is more designed for 1st sightings and experiences with a possibly adding a photo taken of the species logged (plus other new features). I would love to program and create my own but I do not know how or if anyone out there is able to do such a thing. I have carefully designed one on paper but that's as far as I can go. Please could anyone give any help in this area. Will be very much apreciated. Thanks.

Hi Richard,
Maybe if interest to you but there is a birding app called "iBird UK 6.1 version" that I've had a couple of years now. It is a good app, and there is a feature whereby you can add your own photos to the app from your existing library, if your photos are date stamped by your camera which mine are then the only thing missing is your location, but all mine are put into a file when I save it over from camera SD card to PC or iPhone and I name my files either location or species so I'm pretty much ok with when and where I saw the species and took the shot, and most things are covered.

I think the only thing that would be missing from a 1st sightings themed app is if you didn't know what the species was in the first place so you wouldn't be able to assign the photo to the species until you know what it was, most of which are fairly recognisable I would've thought, although that would depend on the level of knowledge and experience you had I suppose.
Just a bit of info for you
Cheers
Rob

Keith Mills · Status: Offline

Pete Hines wrote:

Of interest to GM birders. The new edition of the Collins Bird Guide app (released on 10th December 2014) includes my video of the Wince Brook Siberian Chiffchaff. Currently only available to download on iPhone, iPad or iPod touch it will soon be available to download to Android. Info from touchpress pers. comm.

That's great news for us android users, Peter.
I could not find any reference to the android release date on the Touchpress site.
However I have subscribed to their newsletter and sent them an e-mail.
Is this some insider source you got it from?
Congratulations re the Siberian Chiffchaff....

Pete Hines · Status: Offline

Of interest to GM birders. The new edition of the Collins Bird Guide app (released on 10th December 2014) includes my video of the Wince Brook Siberian Chiffchaff. Currently only available to download on iPhone, iPad or iPod touch it will soon be available to download to Android. Info from touchpress pers. comm.

Richard Thew · Status: Offline

HELP NEEDED!! This is my first discussion post in this forum so here goes... I've noticed in the android google play apps there is a gap that needs filling.There are a few birdlogs out there but there Is cucurrently non that has done something very easy to use that is more designed for 1st sightings and experiences with a possibly adding a photo taken of the species logged (plus other new features). I would love to program and create my own but I do not know how or if anyone out there is able to do such a thing. I have carefully designed one on paper but that's as far as I can go. Please could anyone give any help in this area. Will be very much apreciated. Thanks.

Paul Heaton · Status: Offline

A fantastic new use for the Collins bird App biggrin

had a magpie stuck behind the fire, use the alarm call on the app , and the said magpie came out to see what it was, no need to do a massive rescue.

I find the app to be excellent real pleased with it, have not downloaded the extras yet, videos etc, but overall well worth it.

Keep Birding.

Mike Savage · Status: Offline

I too bought the Collins Guide and really like it, but I have kept the RSPB guide on the phone too (for a rookie like me it's handy having only likely UK species to work through) and just got a very nice little upgrade with a better user interface... and much larger pics.

MS

Paul Wilson · Status: Offline

Just downloaded the Collins Bird Guide app. First impressions are very favourable.

I can't purchase the in-app extra video clips as I haven't got enough space available on my phone or iPad. The whole app is about 2GB if you get the extra two video packs and the BTO breeding bird atlas maps.

Good images in the app - as to be expected. And approx. 700 species covered, it is by far the most comprehensive bird app. I love the way you select the species - really quick and easy. A must buy for anyone with an iPhone (no, there is no Android or Windows version).

There is a good review of the app on the Birdguides web site.

Oh, and the cost? £12.95. Not bad for what is essentially the Collins Bird Guide.

ADDENDUM: Cleared some space on my phone and downloaded the add-ons (at a cost of an extra £11). This really does make it a five star app.

-- Edited by Paul Wilson on Friday 15th of August 2014 09:35:06 AM

Mike Savage · Status: Offline

I splashed out 4.99 on the iOS RSPB guide, it's basically the Peter Holden/Tim Cleeves handbook but with some calls. I like it and have used it a lot already, though I'm only a rookie birder so it might not satisfy the more advanced user

Mike S

Paul Wilson · Status: Offline

Nick Isherwood wrote:

There's a free app available to all iphone users called Aves Vox. It's got over 30,000 recordings of bird songs and calls from species all over the world. It appears to be part of Xeno Canto as all the recordings are accessed through it. I've just downloaded it and it looks good.

I now have this installed - and have downloaded songs and calls of about 300 birds found in Gambia, to try to learn a few before I go! Takes up quite a bit of space - but they are easy to delete if no longer needed. Some facilities are only available in the "paid for" pro version - but at 69p, it's not broken my bank!

-- Edited by Paul Wilson on Thursday 10th of July 2014 02:15:36 PM

Adam Jones · Status: Offline

I see that Collins are launching their Bird Guide app in August for Iphone and Ipad.
Should save a bit of weight in the bag. smile

Keith Mills · Status: Offline

Nick Isherwood wrote:

There's a free app available to all iphone users called Aves Vox. It's got over 30,000 recordings of bird songs and calls from species all over the world. It appears to be part of Xeno Canto as all the recordings are accessed through it. I've just downloaded it and it looks good.

This App for iphone sounds very similar to the one I mentioned in the preceding post( Bird sounds), which I downloaded free from Google Play.
I have been very impressed. It works well on my Samsung Android phone; thousands of Xeno Canto recordings. Easy to find the birds and good stop, pause, and replay facility.

Nick Isherwood · Status: Offline

There's a free app available to all iphone users called Aves Vox. It's got over 30,000 recordings of bird songs and calls from species all over the world. It appears to be part of Xeno Canto as all the recordings are accessed through it. I've just downloaded it and it looks good.

Keith Mills · Status: Offline

First impressions very promising: ''Bird Sounds'' from Mathieu Groeneveld.
Free.
Sounds from the xeno-canto database. Off-line capability too!

Rick Hall · Status: Offline

Flappy Birds is quite good!

Mark Jarrett · Status: Offline

Tim Wilcox wrote:

Mark Jarrett wrote:

I've just been dragged screaming and kicking into the 21st century by buying an i phone 4.

Has anyone seen or got the app 'Chirp - Bird Song of Britain & Europe' by iSpiny?

It doesn't make it clear if the song of every bird on the app can be heard. Can anyone confirm or comment generally on the app itself?

Cheers

Mark

Chirp is amusing and fun but what you reaaly want to do is get the Birdguides 2 CD set of the songs and calls of European birds (not actually 'complete' but as near as), copy the disks onto your computer then download to the iPlayer - there's little else in there on mine. Presto! You can check stuff on the move. I played the Ring Ouzel call several times before a long moorland walk last week and as a result picked one up on hearing it then spun round and got it

Thanks Tim

Great minds think alike! I have had for some time the 4 cds 'All The Birdsongs of Britain & Europe.' I have downloaded them onto itunes and now just need to transfer them to my iphone.

What the hell, I bought Chirp and for just over £2 it's ok to have, if a little basic.

Paul Wilson · Status: Offline

keith mills wrote:

Rob,

iBird UK and Ireland version 6.1 bird ID app.
I found this app via the ibird website. I contacted their support people and they say it will not work on Android yet.
only on IOS
Thanks anyway.

-- Edited by keith mills on Saturday 21st of December 2013 08:09:37 PM

Although this app is a little limited, for 69p you can download a plugin that allows you to store your own bird photos in the main app. I haven't come across any others that let you do this. It also has more calls / songs for each species than the app down by BirdGuides (which I also use).

If you subscribe to BirdGuides, they do an app for this. It has the useful feature of linking directly with mapping software, so if you get a report of a rare bird, one click shows you where it is and plots directions on the map, with distance and time etc. Not perfect (would be better if it linked with satnav apps), but it is useful - especially if you are on holiday and are unfamiliar with the area.

-- Edited by Paul Wilson on Tuesday 29th of April 2014 12:52:16 AM

Tim Wilcox · Status: Offline

Mark Jarrett wrote:

I've just been dragged screaming and kicking into the 21st century by buying an i phone 4.

Has anyone seen or got the app 'Chirp - Bird Song of Britain & Europe' by iSpiny?

It doesn't make it clear if the song of every bird on the app can be heard. Can anyone confirm or comment generally on the app itself?

Cheers

Mark

Chirp is amusing and fun but what you reaaly want to do is get the Birdguides 2 CD set of the songs and calls of European birds (not actually 'complete' but as near as), copy the disks onto your computer then download to the iPlayer - there's little else in there on mine. Presto! You can check stuff on the move. I played the Ring Ouzel call several times before a long moorland walk last week and as a result picked one up on hearing it then spun round and got it wink

Karl Bishop · Status: Offline

Hi
Not got that app but I've got "birds of Britain and Ireland pro" by bird guides has all the bird calls and songs and it's a pretty decent field guide.
Available on App Store through iTunes
Karl

Mark Jarrett · Status: Offline

I've just been dragged screaming and kicking into the 21st century by buying an i phone 4.

Has anyone seen or got the app 'Chirp - Bird Song of Britain & Europe' by iSpiny?

It doesn't make it clear if the song of every bird on the app can be heard. Can anyone confirm or comment generally on the app itself?

Cheers

Mark

Keith Mills · Status: Offline

Rob,

iBird UK and Ireland version 6.1 bird ID app.
I found this app via the ibird website. I contacted their support people and they say it will not work on Android yet.
only on IOS
Thanks anyway.

-- Edited by keith mills on Saturday 21st of December 2013 08:09:37 PM

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

No probs Keith,
Sent you 2 URL's / links. It says universal app so should be compatible with android as well as iPhone.

Keith Mills · Status: Offline

Rob,
PM sent to you
Cheers
Keith.

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

Have a look at iBird UK 6.1
(It's got a Merlin as it's app cover) I've been using it for about 9 months it's brilliant. I think it was originally £5.99 but there was an offer on, and I've just checked on the App Store and it is currently on offer again.
Cheers
Rob

Keith Mills · Status: Offline

Thanks for that, Mark. I have had a quick look at it and it looks OK.
At the moment I'm trialling RBA 'Bird Alert Pro', which is not an ID App as
such, but does run a gallery for birds in the Alerts.
When I get back from Norfolk I will have a proper look at yours.

Mark Burgess · Status: Offline

Take a look at WP Birding Checklist, described as a personal checklist for recording bird sightings, Available for Android, I've been using it for over a year with no issues good comprehensive coverage of UK, European, Middle Eastern and North African bird species.
Each species description is supported by illustrations and most with several photos and sound recordings, Additional descriptive text available by pressing the Green plus symbol is a direct copy of Colin's Bird Guide,
It's a bit of a job getting all the content on your phone, from what I recall the photos and bird recordings have to be downloaded to your computer and then uploaded to your phone but we'll worth the extra effort. As all the data is stored on the phones memory no data connection needed.
An excellent Fully featured App.

Keith Mills · Status: Offline

Bird guides inform me that their APPS only work on IOS, but that they have been developing an Android version.
However as the business (Bird Guides) has been taken over (by Warner), she does not know now how this will progress.
She is making enquiries and will ring me. confuse

Paul Heaton · Status: Offline

Nice point Jon, alas my phone doesnt work in Southern Europe, sorry different phone and App needed biggrin

Jon Bowen · Status: Offline

Birdguides Birds of Northern Europe for me, only one you need, unless you holiday in Southern Europe hmm

Charles Farrell · Status: Offline

keith mills wrote:

Any ideas for the current ''best'' bird ID app for Android phones would be appreciated. I appear to be running the
latest 4.3 Android OS.
I have found ''Birds of Britain'' from Clevermatrix ,which looks a bargain at £0.69. Does anyone here use this?
Any advice would be welcome.

I have downloaedd a couple of apps to my Samsung phone and tablet. Most of the supposedly cheap ones have been rubbish and built on top of text and images nicked from Wikipedia sites and worse.

I recommend paying a bit more and getting something from a reputable source (Birdguides, RSPB etc). I know that Birdguides does Apple - not sure that it is available for Android.

The RSPB eguide to Birds of Britain seems to require that you are online (with Wi-Fi or 3G/4G phone signal) which is annoying when trying to use it in the field.

Phones/Tablets are great for bird sounds, but I still find that a book works best in adverse weather conditions and countryside where I don't seem to be able to get a signal from Vodaphone.

Paul Heaton · Status: Offline

Keith, not sure if you can get it for andriod, but the best app I have found is Birdguides birds of Northern Europe, it is pricey, but once bought it s just the only only you need.

Keep Birding

Keith Mills · Status: Offline

Any ideas for the current ''best'' bird ID app for Android phones would be appreciated. I appear to be running the
latest 4.3 Android OS.
I have found ''Birds of Britain'' from Clevermatrix ,which looks a bargain at £0.69. Does anyone here use this?
Any advice would be welcome. smile

-- Edited by keith mills on Sunday 1st of December 2013 10:15:25 AM

Neil Calbrade · Status: Offline

For anyone who puts their data into BirdTrack, the BirdTrack app (avaialble from Google play or via the link on the BirdTrack homepage) is excellent and easy to use. I have to confess to rarely carrying a notebook especially when I'm just popping out of the office at lunchtime and used to have to try to remember if I had seen a Moorhen or Blue Tit when I got back and filled my BirdTrack records in. Now I record everything as I go, must easier!

Charles Farrell · Status: Offline

i found out that there is a free download of "Peterson Bird Guides of North America" available in iTunes in celebration of Obama's victory, sponsored by Appweaver, available for a few days only (wireless conNection recommended as it is 50Gb in size)

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/peterson-birds-north-america/id407825684?mt=8

Paul Wilson · Status: Offline

BTO do an app called BTO Ringers Info. It is aimed primarily at bird ringers but is useful to anyone as it contains a link from each species to BTOs Bird Facts info pages for the species, which in turn has further web links to sounds, videos and images.

It's free and small, so worth having.

Steve Suttill · Status: Offline

iPhones, apps, iPads...

Can you start a new Geek section for the forum, Ian?

A L Uddite

Charles Farrell · Status: Offline

Nick Isherwood wrote:

Just had a look at the BirdGuides Birds of North Europe and it's better than the other one as it's got about a hundred more species.

I purchased this when I bought myself a iPad2 and I'm quite pleased with it. Some species (e.g. Yellow Wagtail) are well documented with lots of illustrations and photos, but others are less well illustrated. The distribution and description of the birds is quite well covered (in text and maps), but it is the inconsistency in the illustration and photographic coverage of the birds that I find the most annoying. Some of the photos look like they were taken 30 or 40 years ago and I find it dificult to believe that better photos are not available. I do find it extreemly useful to have the bird song and calls available at the touch of a button(or two) as I have a goldfish-like memory when it comes to many bird songs and calls.

In contrast the Birdguides App is brilliant, especially if you have a Birdguides subscription. It is miles better than their email and text service and each sighting is accompanied with an illustration. You even have access to a photostream which is also a great aid for indentification in the field. Until I downloaded it, I was considering not renewing my Birdguides subscription, but after using the app for a few weeks, I'm definately renewing my subscription when it comes up for renewal in a few weeks time.

Mark Rigby · Status: Offline

The Sibley North American field guide is also available and also includes calls.

Nick Isherwood · Status: Offline

Just had a look at the BirdGuides Birds of North Europe and it's better than the other one as it's got about a hundred more species.

Pete Astles · Status: Offline

Thanks chaps sounds like its worth having for the price.

Nick Isherwood · Status: Offline

Paul Wilson wrote:

Nick Isherwood wrote:

I've just got the Birdguides app for the iPhone. It's really good. It has all the usual species to be found on the British Isles as well as a few of the common vagrants - 270 species to be exact. Each bird has several illustrations along with sound recordings of song and flight calls, etc. It costs £12.99 and for me it's well worth it. The only downside to it is it doesn't have any of the rarer birds that occasionally pop up.

I think you mean the "Birds of N Europe" app which is done by BirdGuides. This is NOT the BirdGuides app.

The full title of the app I've got is Birds of Britain and Ireland Pro and it's from BirdGuides.

Paul Wilson · Status: Offline

Nick Isherwood wrote:

I've just got the Birdguides app for the iPhone. It's really good. It has all the usual species to be found on the British Isles as well as a few of the common vagrants - 270 species to be exact. Each bird has several illustrations along with sound recordings of song and flight calls, etc. It costs £12.99 and for me it's well worth it. The only downside to it is it doesn't have any of the rarer birds that occasionally pop up.

I think you mean the "Birds of N Europe" app which is done by BirdGuides. This is NOT the BirdGuides app.