This is to let you all Know that SAOA/Birds SA has formally adopted
Birdpedia as the BIRD HOT LINE representing our organisation in South
Australia. Our web site now directs people to www.birdpedia.com for this
information.
As many can confirm, within five or ten minutes of birdpedia being fed
information (by a subscriber) all SA Subscribers wanting such information
had been sent an email automatically advising them of the recent Oriental
Pratincole (and other sightings) with details of its location.
I also noted that a lister from Sydney recently wished they had a hot line.
Each state can have this facility on Birdpedia right now. Just subscribe
FREE and get others to do so and contribute to all.
Because of the interest of SAOA members two articles follow on Birdpedia
which Have appeared in the Birds SA February Newsletter giving information
on the HOT LINE and general information about its being and improvements
since the first article on this site was in our Newsletter.
Martyn will be giving an overview at the March 31st general meeting and
answering questions.
NEWSLETER ARTICLES
1 Birdpedia Bird Hotline
Do you have any interesting sightings? Would you like to let others know? Or
would you like to be informed about any interesting species that have been
observed in your region? Well now you can.
Birdpedia would like to announce a new Bird Sightings reporting page.
Just go to the Birdpedia website (www.birdpedia.com) and click on the latest
Sightings link to see a list of current sightings. In order to post your own
sightings you must first register (free). Just follow the instructions on
the Home Page.
If you (as a subscriber) would like to be automatically notified by email
when a new sighting is posted just check the relevant flag and set the
regions of interest in your personal settings.
Unlike several existing hotlines the Birdpedia hotline is not limited to
only sightings in South Australia. It can be used for reporting sightings in
all states (and if you log into one of the other country databases on
Birdpedia, in their set regions/areas).
But remember, you will not be notified of sightings until a subscribing
member posts details ? so have fun birding and let us all know what you are
seeing. Cheers, Martyn Price.
2. Birdpedia.com ? The Ultimate Bird Reference
Well, that?s the aim any way.
Since the article appeared in the Newsletter of September 2004 there have
been numerous additions and improvements. Many brought about by the current
subscribers having an idea. We love input from users.
The Birdpedia Website consists of Bird databases organised by country the
idea being that most people seeking information on Birds and Birding are
only interested in a single countries species, whether it be their own or a
country they intend to visit. Currently only the Australian site has large
amounts of data, with the United Kingdom not far behind. The site is
accessible by all but registered users can do and access more. Registration
is free and there is no advertising. Being a programmer by profession the
site is constantly evolving as I implement suggestions from others and use
it to develop new techniques in my daily work.
The original aim was to provide information to Birders about species, places
to go and see birds as well as places a particular bird may be seen. This
has since expanded to include a place to publish articles of general, and
perhaps specific interest, about species, birding locations and the like, to
post news items of current interest, to get bird lists, to post notices of
upcoming Field Trips, Meetings and other events to name a few.
A recent addition has been the Birding Hotline for report interesting
sightings. Not only can anyone view these postings but registered users can
configure their personal settings so as to be notified by email immediately
a report is posted. This was shown to be quite useful recently with the
Oriental Pratincole at Aldinga Scrub. A second reporting feature allows
reporting sightings of specific species but much more detailed information
is required and it expected to be used by the more adventurous birders.
One of the most useful areas is the ability to retrieve bird list for
specific birding sites. Currently all national parks, conservation parks and
reserves are included on the site as well as birding sites that have proved
useful to a number of birders. Unfortunately not all have a bird list
attached. But a great many do. The trip reports of Birds SA from 1993 to the
present as well as personal trip reports have been entered giving extensive
lists for over 250 sites (most in South Australia). Lists are constantly
updated by you, the members. The lists are created through entry of trip
reports. When a report is entered several things are accomplished. A record
of your trip is saved, which you can access at any time to update, annotate
and print. The species from your list are then compared against the known
list for that site and a master list is built from the two. If a new species
was observed it is flagged as being unconfirmed. Once confirmed it can then
be added to the site list. A list for the site can then be printed to take
along on your next field trip. When you are entering your species list those
that are not in their recognised range (eg state) are immediately
identified.
These site lists can be used to find locations that a particular species
might be observed. Others can find sites that have unconfirmed sightings and
help change the status of a species at that site.
Members can also compile their own lists of species observed.
For the younger set (or those that would like to improve skills) there are
educational games available. Why not test your skill at identification via
photographs. Too easy? Then what about via call or song? You can also
practice distinguishing between calls of species.
The site was developed to be dynamic. Information changing as it becomes
current or old. But to do this requires a considerable amount of time and
effort. At present most of the data is being entered by yours truly but
registered members can and are encouraged to contribute direct. The more of
you that get involved the better and more encompassing the site can become.
So my request for you is to check it out, subscribe and contribute your
skill and knowledge so we can benefit.
Cheers, Martyn Price.
http://www.birdpedia.com/
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