Hey there! I been using Inat sporadically for a time. I have been using Inat Classic and only jumped to the new app a few days ago. It has been kind of overwhelming haha, and wanted to ask if there is a way to make an observation area? For example found a little clump of Purple Owl’s Clover, and took a lot of photos of them, I split those into multiple observations but they are all really from the same area. So, I was wondering if it is possible to make an observation area?
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If you come across a clump of plants (I assume Purple Owl’s Clover is a plant), you can certainly take multiple photos of multiple plants and include all photos in a single observation. (It also helps to include a photo of the clump.) This is especially helpful if different plants in the clump exhibit different characteristics (e.g., one plant budding, one plant flowering). Of course, there’s an increased risk that you might make a mistake by focusing on plants of different species, so be deliberate as you make your choices, that’s all.
Can you share what you mean by observation area? You can view the points together on a map by using the filters at https://www.inaturalist.org/observations
(Each individual does go on a separate observation so it’s best not to combine. https://help.inaturalist.org/en/support/solutions/articles/151000169927-what-is-an-observation-)
Like if there is patch a certain wildflower, instead of just marking it with a single point being able to mark an area of occurrence! But seems like it is best to just mark each individual organism from both your replies!
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ah okay yeah - iNat is all point-based - no option available for polygons or areas
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What I would do if they were all spread across an area but at the same general location would be to put them all in one observation, and edit the location so that the accuracy circle includes the whole area.
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The general rule as I understood is: one organism, one observer at one point in time.
To comply the rules it’s better to create a separate observation for every single organism in your area as often as you return to it.
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Indeed that is the guideline, but realistically if I see a big flock of geese or a field full of clover I’m not going to make a bunch of observations for them from the same visit unless I think there might be multiple species mixed in. And with some spreading plants it can be difficult to tell where one organism stops and the next begins.
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Of course. I do the same. However, I often separate different specimens from nearby in separate observations for a variety of reasons. But I would not lump observations of separate specimens when an I think it’s more an area than a point. And of course even a point can be stretched if follow an animal like a bird with my camera.