Birdstack: Help Using Birdstack (How do I...?)

Automatic correction of alternate names

2008-11-16T16:02:59Z

Hi,

I am doing some mass import from another database I used to store my records. I understand from the Help that I could choose the "No, do not show me this message next time," option if I would like BirdStack to recognise the name I have used. I also remember using it at the first time, when I tested the bulk upload function. However, now I cannot see anywhere this option. It could be that I have disabled it. Is it possible to restore?

Best wishes and many thanks in advance,

Szabolcs

Observation Mapping within a Location

2008-09-29T01:01:49Z

Would it be possible to allow individual observations to have an exact Google Map plot but still be associated with a saved "master" Location?

Many of my "Locations" cover thousands of acres or are launch sites for pelagics that cover millions (I didn't see a Razorbill in Belmar, NJ, for instance, it was 50 miles out).

I'd rather not divide places into sub-locations, just have an adjustable observation push-pin on the Map to "nudge" individual alcids away from the brants at dockside, or to get the downy woodpecker off the mudflat where I dropped the main Location marker.

Anyway, Birdstack is a great asset.

Thanks!

Birdstack competitor

2008-09-15T14:05:18Z

Did you already see

http://www.birdpost.com/ ?

Looks a little fancier, but in terms of functionality it's by far not as good. (Though they implemented a few features to steal ... like rare bird alerts, or searching for species, regardless of observer.)

Don't you switch! ;-) But I thought it's always good to know 'the others'.

(I put this post in 'Help Using ...' because I didn't feel it being OT; perhaps, David, you could open a new Forum for suggestions and stuff around birdstack?!).

Cheers,
Christoph.

Entering hybrids

2008-09-09T15:23:32Z

Is there a way to enter hybrid observations? For instance Hooded x Carrion Crow?

Cheers,
Christoph.

How do I delete a lot of observations quickly?

2008-09-04T11:48:26Z

I must be missing something. After importing the wrong dates I need to delete most of them, is there a way to quickly delete numerous observations?

Real names and messages

2008-08-22T13:36:23Z

Good job guys! I like the possibility to enter birds from _everywhere_ (geobirds.com doesn't do that, at least not yet).

What I'd like to see is a way of contacting people via either an internal messaging system or e-mail. It would also be great if you could set your real name in the profile (and, perhaps, decide if it should be used or not). And a last thing: Displaying the users' country in search results might be useful.

Keep on your good work!

-Christoph

ps. Is there a list of planned features? Perhaps I needn't have asked.

Printing My Lists

2008-04-25T16:33:32Z

Is there an easy way for a computer illiterate to print lists from Birdstack?
Barry

Collapsing locations

2008-02-28T01:03:04Z

I entered my original observations from a list made over many years. Because of this, my locations are sometimes duplicated due to a minor variation in the name I used at the time. Other than reentering observations into one location is there a way to copy them over or collapse them into one? I know I'm asking a lot, but I figured someone might have a suggestion.

Find observations I've marked as private?

2008-06-06T09:57:26Z

when I first started entering data, I marked some observations and locations as private (sometimes because I wasn't sure what I was doing). How do I rediscover them? My memory isn't that good anymore.

<')////==<

Stacks not sorting

2008-03-31T22:32:26Z

Hi, first I just want to say I love this site. I have inputed all my sightings and really appreciate all the work gone into this site.

I have a small problem when I try and create a stack for my blog. Whenever I go to my life list and then create a stack it generates code for the list to be in the oldest order NOT newest like my list shows. I must be missing something simple. Thanks for your help.

Maps

2008-03-22T02:06:53Z

I've slowly been getting my locations in order. Its fun to look them up on the map and try to find the exact location. For doing that I have been using Google Earth since its really fast. However, when I enter the coordinates named in Google Earth, it only helps me get in the general vicinity on the Birdstack map. I've tried both types of coordinates but neither gets me there. Has anyone else run across this problem? I wonder which one is more accurate.

How best to use eBird Export Tool

2008-03-31T16:10:53Z

Howdy,

I've been using eBird for years but I'm excited about birdstack's focus on sharing lists. So I've been experimenting with entering my observations into birdstack first, and then exporting them into eBird. It's a few more steps so I'd like to make sure I'm doing this in the easiest way.

Almost all my eBird observations are traveling counts (walking in my neighborhood). So first I create a birdstack Trip with the date, start time, duration, and distance covered. Then I add all my individual birdstack observations to this Trip. When that's done I create a birdstack List that shows only observations in the new Trip. Then I export the List to an eBird data file and import it into eBird.

Is this the easiest way? Do I need to create both a Trip and a List for each of my bird walks?

Thanks!

Mikael

How do I look at members' life lists?

2008-02-04T19:02:01Z

When you click on a person's profile, I see their total list of observations. But how do you see just the life list subset? I want to know how many different birds Mr. Belardo has seen.

stacks

2008-02-23T20:42:30Z

It would be really nice to be able to create stacks for one location, year, etc rather than just life list or all observations.

Alternate Names

2008-01-31T18:44:21Z

I was wondering if there is a way to put in bird names that we understand when one of them comes up as an alternate suggestion and reverts to the international name.American Pipit becomes Buff-Bellied Pipit, etc. I would like to retain American Pipit because it means something to me. Thanks for the help and congratulations on a wonderful site.
Barry

How do I match my trips up with locations.

2008-02-08T03:51:02Z

I've entered the birds from a number of trips and have at this point ignored locations. Some of my trips share the same locations and now I would like to produce a list of birds at a particular place. Can I get into my excel file and add a location column? Try to keep it simple cuz I'm not a computer guy. Thanks.

Input

2008-02-06T22:47:31Z

I keep trying to shorten the data entry time. Too bad one can't import a checklist like birdclip. I would like to take lists I make say for Texas and to edit them for say Travis County.
When I make a list from "search for observations" I would like to be able to move it to "My locations". This way editing a few birds out to make a different list wouldn't require the often redundant input.
Any suggestions for quicker input, or grouped entries?

Kenny

Top Reporters

2008-02-05T02:23:20Z

That migrating flock of Snows coming down the Missouri River certainly would make one look to be a Top Reporter even tho only one specie was ever reported.

Also, I'd Love a Little Link Graphic for My Sidebar

2008-02-01T00:25:08Z

No body.

How do I add photos?

2008-02-02T21:12:31Z

Is there a way to add photos? I try to photograph all the birds I see.