I also have an Android phone (Samsung Galaxy III).



I also use iBird Explorer Pro 2. This cost me just a few dollars and is
easily found in the Android store. It's a nice app, but I would not say it
is "stellar". The search function is bugged, if you go deep into the
parameters and then change them from search to search. For basic searches it
works well, it works well for one intricate searches, but if you attempt to
adjust a complicated search radically it bugs out, returns no results and
you have to reset the search completely. There's no way to save common
searches. It has no real "life list" function at all (it's not really
supposed to it's a field guide), but I feel even a basic sight log would add
a lot. The data on the birds themselves is quite good, and in particular the
songs of the birds are excellent, they are crisp and play well (I used it
once to track down a Creeper to great effect). The photos vary, sometimes
wonderful, sometimes not very good. I'd rate the app, 3 out of 4, but I am
also sure someone will develop a better field guide eventually.



I also use US Birding Checklist written by Duncan Watson. This one was free
and it is a basic sighting log. I like some features of it, like it is very
easy and fast to log birds and it uses GPS to deduce your location for your
sighting. Although it does not upload directly to eBird (other sight log
apps you pay for do though), it can produce an eBird file you can easily
upload yourself. It keeps a history of your sightings and can tell you when
you last saw certain birds. It has a "quick list" feature to keep a short
list of your most commonly sighted birds. It's a very raw, basic app, but it
is free, so with that in consideration I also rate it 3 out of 4.



The app I want is a listener. This already exists for music buffs like
myself. The way they work is, if you hear something you like, you turn the
app on and it listens to the song and it identifies it for you. I want that
same technology for birds. I hear strange calls sometimes and I'd love to id
them this way. Lately, I've realized sometimes the weird calls are Starlings
(who not only make weird calls, they seem to even imitate other birds
sometimes), so I realize an app like this could never be perfect, but even a
"best guess" would be cool.



To add a small note, I've been ridiculously busy with work, putting in
really long hours, so I've had no time to bird at all. I do watch my
backyard with my morning coffee, but for the last week or so, it's just been
the same cast of regulars.



I hope that helped!



- Douglas, West Seattle

- douglas at snazel.com

- http://snazel.com/cheztweet











From: tweeters-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu
[mailto:tweeters-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of Charlie
Kahle
Sent: Sunday, September 09, 2012 3:33 PM
To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
Subject: RE: [Tweeters] birding apps



Hi Diann,



Gosh there seem to be more and more "bird app's" available every day. App's
to help ID birds, record sightings, find birds and the like.



For example Audubon Washington just announced the availability of the Great
Washington State Birding Trail on an app, just for the iPhone at this point.
Check out more at their web site: http://wa.audubon.org/ It is really cool
how taking the data from the paper maps can become so much richer. For
example the app adds features such as finding stops near where you are or
when planning a trip it will quickly find birding spots near where you plan
to go. You can also search by bird to see what locations they have been
seen.



For Bird ID I use 2; the National Audubon, "Audubon Birds" app by Green Mtn
Digital as well as iBird Explorer Pro by Mitch Waite Group.



I'm still on a quest to find a good app to record bird sightings/life list
and perhaps replace my "old" PC based BirdBase program.



To learn more you should check out the class Eric Harlow is offering in
November through Seattle Audubon: "Birding in the Digital Age- Making New
Technology Work for You".
http://www.seattleaudubon.org/sas/GetInvolved/Classes/ClassSchedule.aspx



Have fun exploring this new "enlightened" age.



Charlie



Charlie Kahle

Issaquah, Wa

206-419-7099