No Longer Works
There are so much better apps for Bird listing. This app will no longer upload to eBird. Have gotten no support. This app was last updated 3+ years ago! When people spend money on something they should keep it up to date!!! Wish they would take it down from the Apple App Store.
Update
This app is okay my problem is they need to update. When you look at the number of species seen by state they are way off NM shows 527. Just looked in eBird and the actual number is 558. Their are better apps for Birding but when people spend money on something they should keep it up to date.
Great addition to any birdwatcher's toolkit
Very happy to see this great app is available again and working wellđ
I've been using this app for many years now and have decided that I no longer need to take pen, paper and a GPS with me when I go birdwatching. Species encountered can be located with a couple of taps, recorded with another tap, notes about the encounter recorded with another couple of taps via the user-configurable phrase list. Downloading and installing the Australian list was simple. I have since downloaded the New Zealand list and used it when I was over there just recently. The ability to record multiple sightings of the same species has proved invaluable for the monitoring I do of Hooded Plovers during the breeding season. The ability to archive data locally and to DropBox is great, as is the ability to configure the format of the output (eg. CSV or TXT format, which fields to include/exclude). Highly recommended and well worth the money. Neil Shelley Victoria, Australia
I've been using this app for many years now and have decided that I no longer need to take pen, paper and a GPS with me when I go birdwatching. Species encountered can be located with a couple of taps, recorded with another tap, notes about the encounter recorded with another couple of taps via the user-configurable phrase list. Downloading and installing the Australian list was simple. I have since downloaded the New Zealand list and used it when I was over there just recently. The ability to record multiple sightings of the same species has proved invaluable for the monitoring I do of Hooded Plovers during the breeding season. The ability to archive data locally and to DropBox is great, as is the ability to configure the format of the output (eg. CSV or TXT format, which fields to include/exclude). Highly recommended and well worth the money. Neil Shelley Victoria, Australia
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Works Great
Have had this app for several years and it does a great job of recording sightings. Like that you can record heard only birds. Another nice feature is you can upload to a listserv, Facebook or Twitter. You can tailor your locations to exact locations which is really convenient for future Birding trips.
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Parfait ou presque
Je possĂšde et utilise Ă©normĂ©ment cette application depuis 2012, au dĂ©but sur un IPod touch et ensuite sur 2 IPhone (5 et maintenant 11pro). Je nâai malheureusement pas testĂ© sur dâautre plateforme.
Un peu difficile Ă maĂźtriser au dĂ©but car pas trĂšs intuitif. Une fois cette Ă©tape passĂ©e, lâapplication devient facile Ă utiliser. Je vous recommande fortement de vous accorder ce temps dâapprentissage et de ne pas juger nĂ©gativement trop vite lâapplication. Vous en serez reconnaissant par la suite.
Vous pouvez crĂ©er vos propres listes et les importer aisĂ©ment dans Birdwatcher. Par exemple, jâai utilisĂ© le champ « Local name » pour inscrire le nom français et le champ « Note » pour le statut et lâabondance des espĂšces. Ce qui est trĂšs pratique car ensuite il est possible dâafficher 2 des 3 noms (anglais (common name), français, scientifique). Vous comprendrez que selon le lieu et les gens avec qui vous vous trouvez cela simplifie la communication. Je me crĂ©e aussi des listes particuliĂšres pour les voyages Ă lâextĂ©rieur de ma rĂ©gion et autres pays, ce qui permet dâavoir en tout temps des listes plus courtes. Pas nĂ©cessaire de tout saisir, rĂ©cupĂ©rer les listes sur internet, les clubs dâornithologie locaux en possĂšdent ainsi que les associations telle que lâAOU.
Il est aussi possible de crĂ©er votre propre liste de phrases courtes qui peuvent ĂȘtre ajoutĂ©es en un simple click dans le champ note de lâobservation. TrĂšs utile pour les notes qui reviennent frĂ©quemment en Ă©vitant les erreurs de saisie et la complexitĂ© dâutilisation du clavier sur le tĂ©lĂ©phone.
Je sauvegarde réguliÚrement sur le terrain les observations quotidiennes localement et sur Dropbox afin de ne rien perdre. Malheureusement, il faut exécuter les deux sauvegardes en deux opérations et, en plus un message de confirmation apparaßt chaque fois lors de la sauvegarde locale ce qui est un peu irritant.
Il est facile dâexporter le fichier produit et ensuite de lâimporter dans Excel pour ajouter ces observations Ă votre carnet personnel.
Jâutilise trĂšs peu lâapplication pour fusionner les listes et les observations, je prĂ©fĂšre grandement Excel pour ce genre dâopĂ©ration. Par contre, sur le terrain, cette option est parfois utile pour rechercher une observation rĂ©alisĂ©e lors d'excursion antĂ©rieure.
Le guide utilisateur sur le site web du fabricant nâest pas trĂšs prĂ©cis. Il est difficile dây repĂ©rer rapidement l'information que lâon souhaite obtenir. Le guide se rĂ©sume Ă une seule longue page sans index ni hyperliens. Je vous recommande de la lire une fois ou deux pour bien comprendre le fonctionnement de lâapplication et y repĂ©rer les informations utiles Ă la configuration et personnalisation de lâapplication.
Birdwatcher nĂ©cessite un rajeunissement et des amĂ©liorations mineures seraient souhaitables tant au niveau du fonctionnement que lâajout de champs aux listes dâoiseaux et dâobservations.
Finalement, malgrĂ© les quelques irritants et le vieillissement, lâapplication fonctionne trĂšs bien et mĂ©rite grandement de prendre le temps requis Ă son apprentissage.
Un peu difficile Ă maĂźtriser au dĂ©but car pas trĂšs intuitif. Une fois cette Ă©tape passĂ©e, lâapplication devient facile Ă utiliser. Je vous recommande fortement de vous accorder ce temps dâapprentissage et de ne pas juger nĂ©gativement trop vite lâapplication. Vous en serez reconnaissant par la suite.
Vous pouvez crĂ©er vos propres listes et les importer aisĂ©ment dans Birdwatcher. Par exemple, jâai utilisĂ© le champ « Local name » pour inscrire le nom français et le champ « Note » pour le statut et lâabondance des espĂšces. Ce qui est trĂšs pratique car ensuite il est possible dâafficher 2 des 3 noms (anglais (common name), français, scientifique). Vous comprendrez que selon le lieu et les gens avec qui vous vous trouvez cela simplifie la communication. Je me crĂ©e aussi des listes particuliĂšres pour les voyages Ă lâextĂ©rieur de ma rĂ©gion et autres pays, ce qui permet dâavoir en tout temps des listes plus courtes. Pas nĂ©cessaire de tout saisir, rĂ©cupĂ©rer les listes sur internet, les clubs dâornithologie locaux en possĂšdent ainsi que les associations telle que lâAOU.
Il est aussi possible de crĂ©er votre propre liste de phrases courtes qui peuvent ĂȘtre ajoutĂ©es en un simple click dans le champ note de lâobservation. TrĂšs utile pour les notes qui reviennent frĂ©quemment en Ă©vitant les erreurs de saisie et la complexitĂ© dâutilisation du clavier sur le tĂ©lĂ©phone.
Je sauvegarde réguliÚrement sur le terrain les observations quotidiennes localement et sur Dropbox afin de ne rien perdre. Malheureusement, il faut exécuter les deux sauvegardes en deux opérations et, en plus un message de confirmation apparaßt chaque fois lors de la sauvegarde locale ce qui est un peu irritant.
Il est facile dâexporter le fichier produit et ensuite de lâimporter dans Excel pour ajouter ces observations Ă votre carnet personnel.
Jâutilise trĂšs peu lâapplication pour fusionner les listes et les observations, je prĂ©fĂšre grandement Excel pour ce genre dâopĂ©ration. Par contre, sur le terrain, cette option est parfois utile pour rechercher une observation rĂ©alisĂ©e lors d'excursion antĂ©rieure.
Le guide utilisateur sur le site web du fabricant nâest pas trĂšs prĂ©cis. Il est difficile dây repĂ©rer rapidement l'information que lâon souhaite obtenir. Le guide se rĂ©sume Ă une seule longue page sans index ni hyperliens. Je vous recommande de la lire une fois ou deux pour bien comprendre le fonctionnement de lâapplication et y repĂ©rer les informations utiles Ă la configuration et personnalisation de lâapplication.
Birdwatcher nĂ©cessite un rajeunissement et des amĂ©liorations mineures seraient souhaitables tant au niveau du fonctionnement que lâajout de champs aux listes dâoiseaux et dâobservations.
Finalement, malgrĂ© les quelques irritants et le vieillissement, lâapplication fonctionne trĂšs bien et mĂ©rite grandement de prendre le temps requis Ă son apprentissage.
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Very good - stands out of the crowd
Although a little bit cumbersome the first time you try it, after getting the hang of it this proves to be a rather resourceful, feature-rich and inventive app, that puts the focus of the activity in looking for birds itself rather than âplayingâ with an app while birding. It certainly stands out of the now crowded niche that is apps for recording birds sightings. It offers personalized tags, a very interesting and innovative scroll system to get quickly to a bird a long list, a visualxhearing sight differentiation feature and several options of downloadable lists in various languages that can be personalized both in terms of adding/deleting entries and the way it shows the lists (scientific/ English/ local language name)
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Useful in many ways.
have used Birdwatcherâs diary for several years in the USA, Mexico, and South America. It is a wonderful program that greatly enhances the enjoyment of birding. It is easy to use in the field and at home in collating data. It provides a useful format for historical records, whether for personal use or for uploading to eBird. The Stevens Creek Software team is highly responsive to inquiries and in providing app updates when necessary.
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The Best Bird Listing Program for iOS!
I own several bird listing software Apps for iOS, but Birdwatcher's Diary remains my top choice (I don't even bother with the other programs any more). I rely on it for recording observations nearly every day, and submitting them to eBird.
I really like the fact that Birdwatcher's Diary grabs very exact Lat/Long coordinates for each species sighting (I'm using a Bluetooth GPS linked to my iPod). This is probably my favorite feature; after a birding trip, it's great to be able to instantly bring up a map of the area showing exactly where I've seen each bird!
I also like the ability to easily switch Master Checklists for out-of-state trips, and the ability to customize my Checklists to include eBird "Spuhs" (i.e. "Empidonax sp.", etc.).
The Birdwatcher's Diary interface allows for quick entry and works great. Because the program is so flexible and complex, it takes a bit more study to fully master than some of the other Apps out there. However, nothing else can match it's feature set, which makes the effort well worthwhile. Plus, the support from Stevens Creek is top notch - they've consistently improved the eBird upload interface (which is vital to me) and other features of the program.
After nearly three years of daily use, Birdwatcher's Diary continues to be the most utilized App on my iPod. I can't image going birding without it!
I really like the fact that Birdwatcher's Diary grabs very exact Lat/Long coordinates for each species sighting (I'm using a Bluetooth GPS linked to my iPod). This is probably my favorite feature; after a birding trip, it's great to be able to instantly bring up a map of the area showing exactly where I've seen each bird!
I also like the ability to easily switch Master Checklists for out-of-state trips, and the ability to customize my Checklists to include eBird "Spuhs" (i.e. "Empidonax sp.", etc.).
The Birdwatcher's Diary interface allows for quick entry and works great. Because the program is so flexible and complex, it takes a bit more study to fully master than some of the other Apps out there. However, nothing else can match it's feature set, which makes the effort well worthwhile. Plus, the support from Stevens Creek is top notch - they've consistently improved the eBird upload interface (which is vital to me) and other features of the program.
After nearly three years of daily use, Birdwatcher's Diary continues to be the most utilized App on my iPod. I can't image going birding without it!
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Great App for Data Collectors & Listers
I have tried a number of birding apps (including the new eBird app) and this is by far the best. I love the flexibility that it allows. I have total control over my data. I can create my own locations and record unique lat/long down to 100 foot intervals and export it to multiple formats, including eBird. A few hiccups in eBird uploads when eBird makes changes, but a big thanks to the developers for quickly adapting to these changes!
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NOT USER FRIENDLY, FRUSTRATING
This app crams a lot of features into a non-intuitive and convoluted interface - and for a steep price. It's stunning how this app forces the user to conform to its needs, rather then addressing yours. I'm in my early 40's, a fast learner with technology, and have a background in biology / ornithology. This app defeated me, even after time investment.
As an example, even searching for a bird is difficult - the user cannot just type the common name (or any part of it), as in the Sibley guide. Instead, you must first choose a type of search, then if searching by common name, type either "first" or "last" name. It turns out that the entire phrase: "Pygmy-owl" is a last name: who knew? If you search for "owl" - "pygmy-owl" won't appear in the results, only owls with non-hyphenated names. Any search that doesn't hyphenate (or not hyphenate) exactly right leads to failure. If you forget that "northern" is part of the name for northern pygmy-owl - or try to type "pygmy" as the "first name"- it will loudly QUACK!! to point out your error. The app punishes you if you don't conform to the its rigid requirements (after all those QUACK noises, I wanted to throw my iPhone into the nearest creek)!
Why not one simple search box, where you enter any part of the name, banding code etc, and let the user pick from search results???
And the menus for saving, retrieving or uploading lists are worse. The app presents a Rube Goldberg-ian array of options that can't be understood without exhaustive study of a manual. Try to save a bird list, assign it a location, or start a new list and you'll be stymied, or hounded by the app's annoying error quacks because you haven't met its demands (but without providing a straightforward solution).
I've already lost one bird list completely, still can't change locations or dates, and accidentally deleted Savannah Sparrow from the available options for all my lists.
If you truly want an app that feels like 1990s technology, it would be easier to learn MSDOS, figure out how to run it on your smart phone - then use it to write your own bird list app. For those who miss DOS commands, this app's demand for rigid syntax, it's use of non-intuitive jargon, and its multi step operations to accomplish seemingly simple tasks will fill you with nostalgia.
I really tried. But if the developers feel like I should have studied the manual further, I disagree. I'm not someone who gives up easily, but the whole point of apps - like iPhones - is to make things relatively easy for the user to learn.
I feel bad about leaving a negative review.I truly wish the developers the best - and I share their love of birds. But I feel I must warn people about this app.
As an example, even searching for a bird is difficult - the user cannot just type the common name (or any part of it), as in the Sibley guide. Instead, you must first choose a type of search, then if searching by common name, type either "first" or "last" name. It turns out that the entire phrase: "Pygmy-owl" is a last name: who knew? If you search for "owl" - "pygmy-owl" won't appear in the results, only owls with non-hyphenated names. Any search that doesn't hyphenate (or not hyphenate) exactly right leads to failure. If you forget that "northern" is part of the name for northern pygmy-owl - or try to type "pygmy" as the "first name"- it will loudly QUACK!! to point out your error. The app punishes you if you don't conform to the its rigid requirements (after all those QUACK noises, I wanted to throw my iPhone into the nearest creek)!
Why not one simple search box, where you enter any part of the name, banding code etc, and let the user pick from search results???
And the menus for saving, retrieving or uploading lists are worse. The app presents a Rube Goldberg-ian array of options that can't be understood without exhaustive study of a manual. Try to save a bird list, assign it a location, or start a new list and you'll be stymied, or hounded by the app's annoying error quacks because you haven't met its demands (but without providing a straightforward solution).
I've already lost one bird list completely, still can't change locations or dates, and accidentally deleted Savannah Sparrow from the available options for all my lists.
If you truly want an app that feels like 1990s technology, it would be easier to learn MSDOS, figure out how to run it on your smart phone - then use it to write your own bird list app. For those who miss DOS commands, this app's demand for rigid syntax, it's use of non-intuitive jargon, and its multi step operations to accomplish seemingly simple tasks will fill you with nostalgia.
I really tried. But if the developers feel like I should have studied the manual further, I disagree. I'm not someone who gives up easily, but the whole point of apps - like iPhones - is to make things relatively easy for the user to learn.
I feel bad about leaving a negative review.I truly wish the developers the best - and I share their love of birds. But I feel I must warn people about this app.
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A great tool!
Iâve been using BW Diary for a few years now and itâs steadily improved over that time. For field use itâs pretty well sorted now and allows fast, easy recording of sightings, with the bonus of integration with eBird.
Because itâs pretty feature packed the learning curve is moderate but the online manual is pretty good and support from the developers is excellent.
Recommended
Because itâs pretty feature packed the learning curve is moderate but the online manual is pretty good and support from the developers is excellent.
Recommended
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well-designed & intuitive tool
Birdwatcher's Diary is a straightforward tool that can be used in the field or at the conclusion of a day in the field (if like me you use some other device to note species observed during the day). And this reviewer appreciates the fact that (unlike so many other apps) it can be used with devices that cannot be updated to the most recent OS: as of this writing it is apparently backward-comaptible to OS 5, and it works splendidly (and with full finctionality) on my iPod Touch 4G (OS 6).
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Biologist
I have used the software for several years for professional and recreational activities and like the fact that I can record the lat/long location for each observation (with some limitations). Great for eBird submittals. The current version (6.1.3) seems to work fine on iPhone 6 (4.7 in) and iOS 8.0 as of Sept 21, 2014.
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Complicated and too easy to lose entries
I am a serious birder and a computer programmer. I tried this app for two solid days. Brought me to my knees in frustration. Authors need to hire a couple of beta tester birdwatchers and video them trying to use it. Its very very easy to lose your entries. I deleted this app.
Great app for serious birders, excellent support
Very well designed for serious birders. Easy to use in the field, uses iPhone GPS to automatdocument location
Birdwatcher's Diary
This is a great App for recording bird sightings. I particularly like the fact that it can Capture GPS Data and that recordings can be loaded directly into eBird. I have recomended it to my Local birdlife Australia group.
Love the flexibility
I have been using this for several months locally and abroad, and am deeply impressed by itâs flexibility. The automatic recording of locations, ability to switch in and out different species lists, using own lists rather than provided ones, all work well for me. It is complex software, and there are odd bugs and infelicities, but overall it works very well, is very stable and robust (I have never lost an observation through fault of this software). Having tried a number of different ways of recording software on handheld devices over about 10 years (no way I am going back to notebook and pen), Iâm sticking with this one for a while.
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Outstanding app for birders
This app is a game changer. No more need for a notepad to keep track of species and numbers seen. The app also records the time and GPS info for your sightings. At the end of the day you can upload your info directly to Ebird or send your list by email.
Love it!
I try to keep lists of the birds I see and submit them to ebird but find that if I manage to keep the list I get lazy when it's time to do the data entry. This app takes care of both! I can easily keep a list in the field or the backyard and with just a couple of clicks submit it to ebird with no data entry needed! I've actually submitted more lists in the last two months than in all the time since ebird came out.
It's a wonderful product and several friends have been impressed with mine and gotten it for themselves!
Update for 5.0.1
The new features are GREAT! You can download lists directly from their servers, instantly adding them to your app. Now you can also upload directly to ebird instead of email and then uploading. This is so much faster and easier and allows you to upload lists while in the field. Nice!
Another neat thing is uploading sightings and maps to Facebook. Want to share your great sighting? NO problem!
I still use this app nearly every day and it just keeps getting better and better. Kudos to Steven's Creek Software. This is a fantastic app.
Updating again. This app still rocks and Stevens Creek Software is great! They listen to their users and make corrections and add improvements quickly. It just keeps getting better and better and the customer service couldn't be better.
It's a wonderful product and several friends have been impressed with mine and gotten it for themselves!
Update for 5.0.1
The new features are GREAT! You can download lists directly from their servers, instantly adding them to your app. Now you can also upload directly to ebird instead of email and then uploading. This is so much faster and easier and allows you to upload lists while in the field. Nice!
Another neat thing is uploading sightings and maps to Facebook. Want to share your great sighting? NO problem!
I still use this app nearly every day and it just keeps getting better and better. Kudos to Steven's Creek Software. This is a fantastic app.
Updating again. This app still rocks and Stevens Creek Software is great! They listen to their users and make corrections and add improvements quickly. It just keeps getting better and better and the customer service couldn't be better.
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Best birding list out there
Updated review: I've been using this app for 3 years now, and I wouldn't even consider using another bird listing app. My paper notebook is entirely gone. Spot a bird, tap it on the list, enter the number, and you're done. Exact time and GPS coordinates are automatically recorded. It has a myriad of options to customize your experience and speed data entry. It also includes very rich query and reporting features, and (now) supports direct upload to eBird from within the app.
One word of warning, it does take a llittle bit of practice to do the initial setup and get the hang of the UI. Absolutely spend an hour to read the user guide on-line, watch the tutorials, and try it for a few trial runs to get the settings right and get the hang of it. If you don't do this, you'll delete the app in frustration the first time you try to use it. But once you're up and going you'll never go back.
One last note, customer support is very responsive (can't say the same for some competing apps). Problems or suggestions are promptly addressed - and that's worth a lot.
One word of warning, it does take a llittle bit of practice to do the initial setup and get the hang of the UI. Absolutely spend an hour to read the user guide on-line, watch the tutorials, and try it for a few trial runs to get the settings right and get the hang of it. If you don't do this, you'll delete the app in frustration the first time you try to use it. But once you're up and going you'll never go back.
One last note, customer support is very responsive (can't say the same for some competing apps). Problems or suggestions are promptly addressed - and that's worth a lot.
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