Great body of work, poor experience
I appreciate the enormous amount of work and knowledge that has been captured here. However, it’s translation to an iPad app is a poor user experience. A number of obvious features are missing: after selecting images it should be possible to swipe through all images for that species (these images are low resolution); more detailed explanation of indicator plumage should be given on images; it should be easy to navigate between family accounts and the corresponding species descriptions; distribution maps and annual cycle diagrams must have keys and explanations readily to hand, in fact there is no explanation anywhere in the text of the orange on maps (I assume this means resident). Overall the BWP feels like a very flat book and not an interactive app.
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Response from developer
It's now possible to swipe between assets. Tapping the info icon on the maps brings up the key.
Nostalgic but poor by modern standards
I was excited by the description, but all this app represents is a facsimile of a set of books CDs from a previous generation.
Artwork is of low resolution and very poorly cut out with excessive aliasing, photographs are original and really not suited to the high screen resolution of a modern iPad or phone.
More significant is that the information is also extremely out of date. Quoting populations from the 1960s, ie half a century ago is of little relevance, even in this time of shifting baseline.
Regrettably at the price of £34, I have deleted and claimed a refund. If the historical value is useful to you, buy a set of CDs or the original books.
Artwork is of low resolution and very poorly cut out with excessive aliasing, photographs are original and really not suited to the high screen resolution of a modern iPad or phone.
More significant is that the information is also extremely out of date. Quoting populations from the 1960s, ie half a century ago is of little relevance, even in this time of shifting baseline.
Regrettably at the price of £34, I have deleted and claimed a refund. If the historical value is useful to you, buy a set of CDs or the original books.
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Bird plates /illustrations poor
Was looking forward to get the BWP on digital.... But when looking at the bird illustrations , they are very poor Quality . White edges around the birds , some bird illustrations were cut in half , out of focus and opaque... I’m happy I’ve got the Collins App .
Other than that , it’s brilliant app .... Full of information , 5 Stars for that
Hope you can Address the illustrations better please
Other than that , it’s brilliant app .... Full of information , 5 Stars for that
Hope you can Address the illustrations better please
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Good extension to Collins Bird Guide
I have often wanted to see the renowned BWP, and love the app version of Collins, so what better than an app version of BWP that can interact with Collins, each way. Initial use is promising although the linking doesn’t always seem to work, especially Collins to BWP direction after the first one or two species.
I would also like links removed where there is no reference in the other book, e.g. Ostrich of course isn’t in Collins, so there should be no link in BWP to the Collins app, and there may be some going the other way too. Edit: recent update seems to have solved this.
It would be nice to be able to scroll through the images once enlarged on screen.
It does look a nice expanding upgrade to Collins though, and I look forward to using it, especially with a few niggles ironed out and more images added for the newly added species.
I would also like links removed where there is no reference in the other book, e.g. Ostrich of course isn’t in Collins, so there should be no link in BWP to the Collins app, and there may be some going the other way too. Edit: recent update seems to have solved this.
It would be nice to be able to scroll through the images once enlarged on screen.
It does look a nice expanding upgrade to Collins though, and I look forward to using it, especially with a few niggles ironed out and more images added for the newly added species.
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Welcome return to the digital world!
As a former user of the old DVD version (tough work on a Mac) it is fantastic to see this appearing on the iPad and iPhone. The content is essential for any birder and it is very well implemented. The linkage with the Collins guide is the icing on the cake. Fabulous stuff!
