software for recording sightings?

[philbyuk]

is/are there any s/ware to record your sightings of birds/wildlfe available im looking for something basic(ish) ie record the bird, location,date,time,weather,camera settings,add a picture etc...
ive seen the one on here but its too big.lol, its already got all the birds listed but has all the worlds birds, and seems more orientated to the us. I'm loking for a basic one for the uk. cheap or even better free...of is it time to learn access/delphy nd write my own!!!

[glsammy]

I've not seen any software, but it's something that you could easily set up in either a simple database, or even something like Excel.
I've never done this, but you've got me thinking perhaps it's time I did!

[Ollie]

Many years ago I used to record all my sightings in a database. Can't remember the exact name, but it was the one that was with Microsoft Works. I didn't include photographs as I didn't take them back then but I'm sure it would be possible. Also used to write up all field trip reports as well.
As I have grown older I seemed to have lapsed with my recording and am ashamed to admit that I no longer keep records, only the photographs themselves.

Roger

[yellowhammer]

This might be what you're looking for, although it's not free so I've not used it myself I have heard good things about it though.

MapMate - UK's favourite biological recording software.

Like Ollie I use Microsoft Works database, it's very easy and comes free with a lot of PCs these days.

[Paul mabbott]

Yes, MapMate is a very good programme - a database/spreadsheet in which you can record more or less what you want. It has additional advantages that it comes with 'look-up' files listing most British plants and animals by order; ity has some in-built analytical tools; also, as the name implies, it can produce maps. You can exchange data with other Mapmate users including national surveys which use it.
But it does cost money to buy and an annual rent.
I always suggest that beginners use the programmes they have with their computers - most Windows users will have Excel for spreadsheets, some will have Access for databases but many other programes may be bundled or available for free. Databases are more powerful (for analysis, sorting &c) and can be of unlimited size. However, spreadsheets are easy to handle and understand for beginners; also easier to modify 'on the hoof'. So I would advise anyone interested in recording (that should mean all of us!) to knock up an Excel recording sheet. I'd be pleased to give more advice on how to do this or to send an example, starter sheet.
Anything recorded on Excel can be exported to Access, Paradox or other databases, to Mapmate or as plain text. So there is no chance of you losing the data or making it unreadable (but see another thread on backups!). Give it a go - start now before all the spring observations come rolling in!

[yellowhammer]

Originally Posted by philbyuk

is/are there any s/ware to record your sightings of birds/wildlfe available im looking for something basic(ish) ie record the bird, location,date,time,weather,camera settings,add a picture etc...
ive seen the one on here but its too big.lol

Which one are you talking about? Is there one here I don't know about?

Paul - I'd be very interested in a bit of advice please as I have a strange and terrible fear of Excel

[Mercadante]

Paul Mabbott wrote: So I would advise anyone interested in recording (that should mean all of us!) to knock up an Excel recording sheet. I'd be pleased to give more advice on how to do this or to send an example, starter sheet.

If the offer is still open, I'd love an example, please, and any tips you have. I am familiar with Excel and programming, but completely new to recording.

[Meta menardi]

Someone has mentioned Mapmate, so I won't go through that again, the other commonly used program is Recorder (currently version 6). This is the software used by your local Data Centre (I think it is the only thing they use, apart from GIS).

The advantage of both Mapmate and Recorder is that they have massive databases that are continually maintained of Taxa that are found in this country. This means an end to recording "Bumble's Bluebell" which may, as a coloquial name, apply to several different plants through the country.

If you don't have the right name, you can't record it. Sounds very restricting, but if you want to contribute to records that help to preserve the wildlife you love, gotta be right.

Either program can be bought for the price of a... very cheap program (£20 of our squids or so).