We've just added support for importing the latest BirdTrack export format. BirdTrack actually changed their format a little while ago, so this update is overdue.
If you have records in BirdTrack that you haven't yet imported to Bird Journal, now is a great time to do it. Note that import is only available from the Windows desktop app currently, though this is something we're looking to change soon.
To ensure you have the updates needed:
Click Help > Check for Updates in the Windows desktop app, and follow the instructions to install the update.
Click Library, then click on the Updates tab - it should show a (1) to indicate there is an update available. Click on Update All to install the update.
You can then proceed to export your records from Bird Track and import them to Bird Journal.
We recently updated the articles linked above, so please let us know if you have any suggestions.
There are a few Bird Journal Premium features that are only available on the Windows desktop software currently. This is something we are changing, starting with filters.
Filters are now available for both iOS and Android based devices. To get them, install the updated app from either the Apple AppStore or Google Play.
If you're not familiar with filters, they allow you to instantly filter entries and species screens by location, year, month, species or custom property. Just tap the filters row at the top of the relevant screen, pick some values and go back to the screen. You'll see the list of items update.
Other premium analysis features are Graphs, Maps and Photo Gallery. You can help us decide which should come first by voting on our feedback site using the links above.
It's now possible to purchase a Bird Journal Premium subscription as a gift - perfect for Christmas.
You can purchase a one, two or three year subscription, with up to 20% discount. Purchase is very simple, just enter your email, delivery details and payment information. We will dispatch a gift certificate within three working days. This includes a code that can be redeemed on our website, and is well presented with a blank envelope allowing you to personalise the gift.
Delivery is currently free on all orders.
We've just made a big batch of new items and updates available in the library, mostly for the UK and Europe. You can install these to your account now using any of the Bird Journal apps.
New items:
- Amphibians of Europe - Taxonomy by Jason Fisher
- Amphibians of the United Kingdom - Taxonomy by Colin Brodie (Replaces Amphibians & Reptiles of the United Kingdom)
- Butterflies of Corfu - Checklist using the new Butterflies of Europe Taxonomy by Jason Fisher
- Butterflies of Europe - Taxonomy by Jason Fisher
- Birds of Belize (IOC), 4-Letter Codes - Synonym Pack by Brian Jones
- Dragonflies & Damselflies of Europe - Taxonomy by Jason Fisher
- Leafhoppers & Allies of the United Kingdom - Taxonomy by Colin Brodie
- Reptiles of Europe - Taxonomy by Jason Fisher
- Reptiles of the United Kingdom - Taxonomy by Colin Brodie (Replaces Amphibians & Reptiles of the United Kingdom)
- Soldierflies & Allies of the United Kingdom - Taxonomy by Colin Brodie
- Water Bugs & Allies of the United Kingdom - Taxonomy by Colin Brodie
Update items:
- Bees of the United Kingdom - Taxonomy by Colin Brodie
- Birds of the Netherlands (IOC), Dutch Names - Synonym Pack by Peter de Hoog
- Grasshoppers & Allies of the United Kingdom - Taxonomy by Colin Brodie
- Harvestmen of the United Kingdom - Taxonomy by Colin Brodie
- Hoverflies of the United Kingdom - Taxonomy by Colin Brodie
- Lacewings & Allies of the United Kingdom - Taxonomy by Colin Brodie
- Ladybirds & Allies of the United Kingdom - Taxonomy by Colin Brodie
- Land-based Mammals of the United Kingdom - Taxonomy by Colin Brodie
- Plant Bugs & Allies of the United Kingdom - Taxonomy by Colin Brodie
- Shieldbugs & Allies of the United Kingdom - Taxonomy by Colin Brodie
- Spiders of the United Kingdom - Taxonomy by Colin Brodie
- Wasps of the United Kingdom - Taxonomy by Colin Brodie
Many thanks to the authors Brian, Colin, Jason & Peter for these!
If you have a Taxonomy, Checklist or Synonym Pack that you think may be helpful to others, please consider publishing it to the library. We especially need non-bird Taxonomies for the US and Australia.
To publish an item you have created, just enter some notes about the item and press Publish. We'll review it to make sure there are no duplicates and that naming is consistent, etc, then make it live. There are
guidelines with more detail on what we look for, and there is an
area on the forum dedicated to discussing the creation of library items.
It's now possible to sign in to your account on our website to view your account summary. This includes details of when you created your account, your subscription status and if you're using Bird Journal Premium, when your subscription will expire or renew and how much credit you have.
Just click the Account button in the top right corner to sign in. Links will be added through from our apps soon, and in time we'll extend this to include the ability to view and update card details and download past invoices.
We've also added the ability to share Bird Journal to earn free months of Premium. Introduce a friend and get a free month of Bird Journal Premium each, up to 12 months.
If you already have Bird Journal Premium, you can still earn free months. These will be applied as credit if you're on an auto-renewing subscription.
We hope you'll enjoy these improvements.
The new Bird Journal has been live for just three days now and already the number of accounts has doubled.
I've already written an article on how to get started with the new version.
In addition there have been a few common questions, for which I've written support articles. If you're still getting started with the new Bird Journal, it's likely some of these articles will help you.
Why is my email not recognised?
How do I import my existing desktop records to my account?
Can I use the new mobile app with my older copy of Bird Journal?
Does the new Bird Journal need internet?
How secure is my data in Bird Journal's systems?
Can I import eBird records using the new Bird Journal?
Today we are delighted to announce that the all-new Bird Journal is ready to use.
New apps
Our Android, iOS & Windows apps have each had a big update.
You can now sync your records seamlessly across all devices, including worldwide and wildlife observations. iOS and Android apps are now available worldwide from the AppStore and Google Play respectively.
Sync also serves as a backup for your data. If you lose your device or your computer malfunctions, simply sign back in to your account to carry on from where you left off.
The Bird Journal Library makes it easy to discover, install & update taxonomies, checklists and other items of interest without leaving the app.
We think these changes make Bird Journal the best way to record, explore and share your bird & wildlife observations and experiences, and hope you'll agree.
Further reading: Getting started with the new Bird Journal
New website
Our new website www.birdjournal.com presents Bird Journal more clearly as a single product. It works well on any size screen and we tried to make it more personal too. New pricing
Apps themselves are now completely free to download and install, and local bird observations can be kept using a free account.
A premium subscription is available offering full library access and analysis features. All existing Windows app customers are entitled to 1/3 off* for the first three years of a premium subscription. Enter your license key when upgrading.
* If you ordered recently, you'll get a full credit towards a premium subscription.
Further reading: Why Bird Journal moved to subscriptions
What's Next?
We've spent nine months developing and testing these changes, and we hope you'll love them. This is however just the beginning in a new direction for Bird Journal. We have many ideas on where to take Bird Journal next. For example, updating all of the taxonomies in the library will be a priority after launch.
Please let us know what you'd like to see using our feedback site.
We are very excited to launch our free public beta in the next few days. We've been working hard for the last seven months to bring you some significant changes across all three of our supported devices.
See http://www.birdjournal.com/ for more details.
I'm delighted to be giving a lecture on the top apps for birding at this years Birdfair at Rutland Water.
To help bring a wider perspective I've created a survey. If you have five minutes to spare now, then please complete the survey.
Please share this survey with other birders you know so we can get better results. They don't have to be Bird Journal users. The link is: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BPHWKNJ
We'll post a summary of the results on the blog in a few weeks.
Maps in version 3 just got better. We're now using a different company (Mapbox) to provide map data. The data is still from open street map, but is much more up-to-date and has terrtain detail.
If you don't have the update already, you should be prompted during the next week. Alternatively you can get it now by selecting Help > Check for Updates.
