Tips+for+Traveling

=Ohio eBird Hotspots=

eBird 201 - Tips for Traveling

 * How to create an eBird bar chart (histogram)**
 * Click on “Explore Data”
 * http://ebird.org/ebird/eBirdReports?cmd=Start
 * Click on “Bar Charts”
 * http://ebird.org/ebird/GuideMe?cmd=changeLocation
 * Choose a location: select the region, then select the subregion
 * You can select a country, a state or province, one or several counties, one or several Hotspots, and more
 * [|Arizona]
 * [|Cochise County, Arizona]
 * [|Whitewater Draw WA in Cochise County, Arizona]
 * You can click on a month to narrow the results to that month. You can also click on “Change Date” to adjust the date to a range of years or months.
 * Clicking on a species name brings up data about the bird species.
 * Clicking on “Map” brings up an interactive map showing where the species has been reported in eBird.


 * Using “Range and Point Maps”**
 * Click on “Explore Data”
 * []
 * Click on “Range and Point Maps”
 * []
 * Enter a species
 * [|Sandhill Crane]
 * Enter a location
 * [|Whitewater Draw, Cochise County, Arizona]
 * Zoom in our out, move around on the map.
 * Click on a marker to see checklists which have been reported at that location with the species for which you are searching.
 * I find it most convenient to go to the maps from a Bar Chart


 * How to set up a Needs Alert**
 * You must be signed into eBird to set up a Needs Alert
 * Click on “Explore Data”
 * []
 * Click on “Alerts” at bottom left of page
 * []
 * Type the location in the box below “I'm interested in sightings of birds I haven't seen in (type region name)”
 * The default is to show you birds seen in the last seven days which are not on your life list. You can check box “This year only” to change the alert to be birds which are not on your year list.
 * Click “View” to see the Needs Alert on your computer
 * Or click “Subscribe” to have eBird send you an email
 * If you subscribe you can manage your subscription from “My eBird” à “Manage My Alerts”
 * From here you can adjust how often you get an email or you can unsubscribe


 * How to get a list of all the eBird Hotspots in a US state or Canadian province**
 * Visit []
 * You can find this in the eBird “Help & Info” by typing “hotspots” in the search box. Select “What is an eBird Hotspot?”
 * Click on “csv” to download a “comma separated value” file which can be opened by Excel or another spreadsheet program.
 * I usually sort this file on Column D (county) and Column G (Hotspot name). The county names are not available in this file. The counties are numbered in alphabetical order using odd numbers.
 * This file gives you the name and coordinates of all the Hotspots in the state or province. You can use the coordinates to map Hotspots on your own Google map or to upload them to your GPS device.
 * Links to get files with eBird county names associated with codes
 * []
 * []
 * **Not all eBird Hotspots are public property**
 * You cannot assume that because it is in eBird, you have permission to enter private property
 * A search on the Internet using the Hotspot name will often give you more information, especially for public lands and often you can download a trail map or brochure


 * Creating your personal Google Map**
 * Go to Google Maps: []
 * Click on “My places” near the top left of the menu bar area
 * Click on “Create Map” to build a map
 * You can use Hotspot coordinates to search for a Hotspot location and then save that location to the map
 * You can also send coordinates from any location in Google maps to Garmin GPS units
 * You can add comments (directions, web links, descriptions, lists of bird seen, etc.) to any location – make notes which will help you on your trip
 * You can “print” any Google map, including comments, to a .pdf file. Save this file where you can access it on your smartphone or tablet computer to have it available when you travel. Or print a paper copy!


 * Apps for iOs and Android smartphones and tablet computers**
 * BirdsEye and BirdLog
 * [|http://www.birdseyebirding.com/#BirdLog]
 * BirdsEye is much like the mapping tools in eBird and uses eBird data
 * You can find eBird Hotspots, see what birds have been seen there, even have BirdsEye give you a route to get to the Hotspot
 * Works best when you are connected to the internet
 * YouTube Video introduction to BirdsEye: []
 * BirdsEye demo on BirdsEye website: []
 * BirdLog is a tool for recording your bird sightings in the field
 * You can submit your checklists to eBird directly from BirdLog
 * YouTube video introduction to BirdLog: []


 * Adding comments to your checklists for rare birds or unusually high counts**
 * Both the eBird website and the BirdLog app ask you to confirm records in a checklist for rare bird sightings (species not normally found at the location you are birding) or for unusually high counts of birds for the time you are birding
 * It is extremely helpful to regional reviewers if birders will take the time to add a comment about these sightings. Describe the bird or the manner in which you counted the number of birds. Attach a picture.
 * I always feel like I have an excellent birding friend along on my birding expeditions. Checklist review helps me keep my personal list accurate as well as helping to assure that the larger database in eBird provides accurate data and birds and bird distribution.


 * Saving bar charts and maps as .pdf files**
 * Download a free .pdf program
 * []
 * When you install this program it creates a print driver - PrimoPDF - which you may select as an option when you print a webpage from your computer
 * Primo will create the .pdf file and give you an opportunity to save it on your computer.
 * I use this to make .pdf copies of bar charts and Google maps.
 * I save them in [|Dropbox] and access them on my iPod Touch and iPad. (If you join Dropbox from the link here, I will get some extra storage in my Dropbox account.)