A seasoned naturalist recently completed a major digital migration of his worldwide bird records ahead of the spring season.
World List Reaches New Digital Home
World List Reaches New Digital Home (Image Credits: Flickr)
Efforts to consolidate decades of observations culminated in transferring a personal world list of over 3,500 species from IGoTerra to eBird. The process narrowed a gap between 3,571 entries on the old platform and 3,545 on the new one. Assistance came from collaborators abroad, including detailed guidance that smoothed the operation.
This update positions the list for real-time field contributions, supporting a long-term ambition to document 5,000 species globally. Exploration remains the core focus, prioritizing rare finds over sheer numbers. Live syncing now simplifies tracking progress during expeditions.
Moth Traps Yield Modest Hauls Amid Rainy Nights
Persistent rain and chilly evenings limited outdoor pursuits over recent nights, though traps captured familiar species like Chestnuts and Depressaria daucella. A brighter Friday brought additional variety, including two Early moths, Hebrew Characters, and an Acleris species.
These sightings offered small victories despite the weather. Indoor time allowed focus on broader projects, balancing fieldwork with documentation.
Papers and Partnerships Gear Up for Expeditions
Progress advanced on contributions to Dutch Birding, covering a Paddyfield Pipit discovery in Oman and a 20-year review of Corvo records. Weekend visits and family commitments, including birthdays and outings during half-term break, sidelined fieldwork.
Upcoming travel to Ghana promises fresh momentum. A team including Kev, Robert, and Isaac plans live updates to eBird and iNaturalist, building on an existing national list of 458 species. Real-time logging will aid identifications and target rare encounters.
Spotlight on Regional Achievements
Recent uploads enriched profiles across platforms. Ghana now leads with 458 birds, accessible via eBird. The full world list resides here.
On iNaturalist, around 200 Ghana butterfly and moth species received identifications, viewable here. West Papua Lepidoptera observations progress slowly but include potential firsts for the database, detailed here.
- Ghana birds: 458 species, highest national total.
- Ghana iNat: 200+ butterflies and moths validated.
- West Papua: Emerging Lepidoptera records with database novelties.
- Ongoing projects: Bulgaria, Azores, UK biodiversity surveys.
Key Takeaways
- Data migration enables live global tracking toward 5,000 species.
- Team trips to Ghana emphasize rare finds via real-time platforms.
- Validations on iNaturalist uncover new records in under-explored regions.
These updates underscore the blend of technology and fieldwork driving modern natural history. As platforms evolve, they empower explorers to document biodiversity more effectively. What are your strategies for managing lifelists? Share in the comments.
