Onerous privacy conditions
Didn’t get the chance to use the app as it required me to give up my private details which could be passed on to any supporting company, with no clear path to rescind this approval. A lot too much to ask of volunteers who were happy to help out with the count.
Identifier search algorithm
The search function based on characteristics really has never worked since this app was released. The Birds In Backyards Finder works so well, why can’t the algorithm for that be adapted and used for this app?
Enjoyable doing the bird survey, learnt a lot from the app
The app allows you to participate in the bird survey each year, and has a useful species guide.
I enjoyed doing the bird survey – has lots of good info on each species. I love that it indicates the unlikely species for your location. It seems a lot of work has gone into this.
The built-in species guide:
I like the hints on distinguishing similar species!
I would suggest that birds in the list be tagged (either by Birdlife Aust, or by app users) with tags for categories (e.g. So that typing "falcon" would also bring up Nankeen Kestrel), and it should also include older and disused names (e.g. "black-backed magpie"; "eastern swamphen") for species.
More photos of each species would be good, especially for species whichare easily confused.
I enjoyed doing the bird survey – has lots of good info on each species. I love that it indicates the unlikely species for your location. It seems a lot of work has gone into this.
The built-in species guide:
I like the hints on distinguishing similar species!
I would suggest that birds in the list be tagged (either by Birdlife Aust, or by app users) with tags for categories (e.g. So that typing "falcon" would also bring up Nankeen Kestrel), and it should also include older and disused names (e.g. "black-backed magpie"; "eastern swamphen") for species.
More photos of each species would be good, especially for species whichare easily confused.
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Bit hard to use
A bit bad but still good to try new things which is an okay thing
Great
I love doing the bird count each year. The bird identification part is good when used in conjunction with google, local bird charts and books about local birds - and it is always good practice to verify with more than one resource anyway!
Too easy
Simple to set up and simple to use for a worthy cause.
Invaluable!
Constantly useful for identifying birds.
Can’t find my location
This was a great app. However in the 2021 update the map is not working and can’t find my location. So all my bird sighting have not been uploaded. Very disappointing as I am keen to submit data.
Great app
Would be useful if you could submit notes on your checklist. For example this afternoon there has been storms and rain so not many birds about.
What’s have you changed?
Not used this app for a long time. Tried for an hour to fill garden details but dialogue box kept asking for a detail I can’t work out. Bad luck I’m not wasting time with my observations.
Such a disappointing app
I lined everyone up, the map didn’t work, no way to return to your account. Bad experience will not be doing a count each day as planned
Too hard
It’s a pity Its all too hard to use , as have so many birds in the Bouddi national park where I live , good luck with the count .
Fred at Breakfast Point
Warning: The bird identifier is next to useless. It can lead to extreme frustration.
Even if you know what bird you a looking at working what selection of size shape and colours will produce a short list which includes the bird you are looking. I have more success asking questions on google. How is the colour a selection meant to work? It had never been any help to me. Surely being able to use the local habit would help. If I have seen a wading bird by the river with some black markings it’s unlikely to be a parrot. Right now I am staring at a cormorant type diving bird. It’s shape is not included in the selection. I cannot find any input that will output any of such birds I see on the river.
Another beef: why give the sometimes long list of possibilities alphabetically, surely by likelihood or some other criteria would be better. Good to that now the totally improbable possibilities are flagged.
Even if you know what bird you a looking at working what selection of size shape and colours will produce a short list which includes the bird you are looking. I have more success asking questions on google. How is the colour a selection meant to work? It had never been any help to me. Surely being able to use the local habit would help. If I have seen a wading bird by the river with some black markings it’s unlikely to be a parrot. Right now I am staring at a cormorant type diving bird. It’s shape is not included in the selection. I cannot find any input that will output any of such birds I see on the river.
Another beef: why give the sometimes long list of possibilities alphabetically, surely by likelihood or some other criteria would be better. Good to that now the totally improbable possibilities are flagged.
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Great stuff
Love this app, it would be great if we could save sightings through the year!
Great Guide
I’m not great with birds but this app helps me figure out what’s lurking in my yard or down the bush. Keep up the awesome work!
Bugs
I love the idea of a bird count and thoroughly enjoyed being a part of it. My big problem was the app on my iPad started doing crazy things after the 3rd day eg the counting on 2 species went crazy and added 2,000 birds to each count and there was no way to change it. Then parts of the screen froze as a photo of a willie wagtail and I could get rid of it or read what was under it. The location map said I found 8 species where in fact it was 21. Next time I will send a separate email count in and not use the app unless the bugs can be fixed.
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Big fix needed
Guys. We need a bug fix. The app does not remember my details which means I can’t see my stats added to the pain of having to enter my details every time I want to do a count. Sigh...
Photo
I would like to be able to ad a photo, is it possible ? What if we can’t identify the species of bird ?
Don’t like being pinned in map
Whilst I’m supportive of this and participated willingly I was mildly alarmed to finds my sightings easily discoverable on a map at my home address. I gave my home address to help research not have it displayed on a public map. I know it doesn’t give my details but does this have to be so specific for the public? Surely a street name would suffice for the public map and a pin showing this not a street number. Not happy about that.
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Amazing works great
Look, this is an amazing app and I only have an Aussie reptiles, and an Aussie mammals field guide so I was looking if there was any decent bird guides on the AppStore so I didn’t have to pay much or any money at all for an actual field guide. Surely enough there was, this. So far I haven’t done the ‘game’ but the field guide works great and that’s the main or, really only reason I have it.
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