I have just noticed that when identifying, the default filters only show me observations that have not reached Research Grade. Does everyone else realise that? So I thought I was fairly up to date with Irish observations but there are thousands more that I haven’t looked at. I’ve only been using iNaturalist for 8 years.
Yes, when identifying, the default setting for showing observations is “needs ID”. But in filters, you can easily choose also showing those with RG.
I cleared the Cape Peninsula Unknowns. Tick.
Then I realised there is Another Mountain in Needs ID.
Sweeping the snow from the top, I am at Order. Diptera another 250 obs.
Another 93K waiting (all animals, sob - have done the plants) - but I will Abandon All Hope once I have cleared families.
i’ve always been partial to the explore tab to keep up with local observations.
When I’m identifying, I do one run through focusing on Needs ID, and then a run through focusing on Research Grade.
When finishing a region, I also check the Casuals. Occasionally there’s good stuff in there too.
Yes, I use that filter sometimes because I occasionally like to annotate a bunch of observations to then use them as a filter in a second round with proper IDs…
(For example, with species where I can only reliably identify a certain sex or life-stage)
So far I haven’t actually done much IDing on already RG-observations, I think. I guess people upload so many lady beetles around the globe that I never really get to it…
I work on enough locations that I don’t go looking for observations that are already at RG unless I want to do a cleanup of a taxon that needs it. For example: a mostly cultivated plant that needs a DQA sweep.
I did realize that, but don’t worry, you are in good company in continuing to discover new things about iNaturalist many years after joining, including yours truly!
Not only are there observations that are already research grade, there are also casual observations, especially of plants.
Another sweep for new annotations - gall, or autumn leaves.
Then add to relevant projects.
Yes, that is true. I certainly knew about it, but I’ve been content to tackle the ‘needs ID’ piles because, mostly, I know the previous major identifiers, and I trust their work.
I do catch some, though. My current working method for Nearctic Rhagio spp. is to open up a bunch of observations, then check each observer’s full Rhagionidae posts at the same time. I see any Rhagio still at family level, and can fairly quickly vet any previous IDs, and identify other genera at the same time. I do it this way because I add comments about how to recognize various species, so this avoids duplication.
I might do a sweep of all RG observations in some groups at some time, but I suspect that there may always be another group that attracts my attention and could use my time better. Plus, given my current tactics, a lot of them would be already trodden ground.