Birding/Birdwatching Discussion Topic

Nature Talk
409

Family Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, Kites), Owls, or Corvids.

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410

Thanks for the ideas!

411

I use eBird much more often that iNaturalist; I have some 1600 lists from the last few years. Iā€™ve found that it is a much better platform for birds specifically, and the data is more carefully monitored to avoid incorrect identifications. I have a lot more trust in eBird for birds, but for plants iNaturalist is my favorite option. The graphs and maps that it gives are far superior to anything supplied by iNaturalist. It is much easier to accurately log the birds that were seen or heard on eBird, and more details can be given to provide a more full picture.

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412

I agree with you.

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Obviously you canā€™t use eBird for that.

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414

Hahaha :joy:.

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@oksanaetal, are you an Ebird user? I couldnā€™t remember if you told me or not.

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I have ebird but only have one list. I find it difficult to learn how to use and therefore enjoy. I have wanted to get more into it just because I do not want to make an observation every time I see a common bird but do want to note their presence in relation to the rare birds which I feel is heavily skewed in iNaturalist. One thing I find hard about checklists is it can be tiring to put in the birds every single time I see one and trying to keep up. I like the aspect of taking photos and just posting when I get back. Any suggestions on how to get going?

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eligug08 Also if I am doing a checklist and I see a cool bird I want to add it to iNaturalist but it would also go on the checklist. Is posting the same observations on different platforms the same as duplicate observations?

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This might help me. https://academy.allaboutbirds.org/product/ebird-essentials/

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419

I had nobody to help me when I was getting started out, and made a few mistakes that I just went back and changed once I solved it. It is kind of difficult at times deciding when to make a list and not. If it is an area that is fairly heavily trafficked and reported from I will look for a handful of certain species that are either still there or are new from the last time. I have decided it is better in some cases to not make a list at all if there are species there that I canā€™t identify due to not having my gear with me. I will only make a list if I am able to accurately document all the species that were there that I could find.

I carry a small piece of paper in my back pocket along with a pencil to record what I see and deal with it when I get home. I have found it a mistake to use a pen rather than pencil because the ink of certain pens will bleed when wet, and it canā€™t be fixed if it runs out of ink. A pencil stays visible through some pretty rough conditions and can be easily sharpened in the field. I often go with a partner and verbally say what I see so it can be written down by him or her. They arenā€™t familiar with the birds as I am, so they mostly just write what I say and point out things for me to identify. It is good to go with more than one person if possible because often they will see what you miss.

I will from time to time post something on both eBird and iNaturalist from the same trip. I donā€™t consider it as double counting because, as far as I know, they donā€™t use each othersā€™ data. I may make a note on the iNaturalist observation that it was reported on eBird as well.

I certainly donā€™t know everything about eBird, but I use it regularly and know many of its functions. I would be very happy to attempt to answer questions or help in some way. It looks that you live in Vermont/New Hampshire area, correct? There can be variations in the different countriesā€™ versions of eBird, so just checking that we both are primarily using the United States one.

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420

Wow, so cool! I am an eBird user as well, though I am very new to it and have barely gotten started. But @thebirdersway has given me some useful tips for it! (The course you recommended to me has been very helpful, by the way!)

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421

I have checked out the eBird site a few times but had a hard time navigating it. Iā€™ve thought about getting an account but I prefer iNat.

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422

Iā€™m so glad! Happy to see you here!

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@isopodguy. Message me if you have any questions about Ebird.

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424

I am!

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425

Awesome!

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426

Would you like too see my Ebird profile?

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I already have!

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428

Cool!

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