Want to identify a bird? There's an app for that
If you have ever struggled to identify a bird species on your farm or in the garden, then a brand new app may be of help.
The Birds of Ireland Field Guide, the first app launched by BirdWatch Ireland, offers a comprehensive guide to all of the 492 bird species ever recorded in Ireland.
All regularly occurring Irish species are included in the free version, while over 260 additional rare vagrant species can be unlocked with an annual subscription.
A unique feature of this app, which is available for iOS and Android devices, is the set of 'identification plates', custom-designed specifically for Ireland's birds.
Each plate highlights all major plumage differences, key identification features, and traits that help distinguish similar species.
Bird app
Niall Hatch, head of communications and development with BirdWatch Ireland, told Agriland that the app covers every bird species that has ever been recorded in Ireland.
'The basic download of the app is free of charge and that covers all of the regularly occurring species in Ireland that you're ever likely to see. It is very important to us that that aspect is free.
'We know that more and more people are coming to have a real interest in birds. I think that interest was sparked during Covid.
'There's a lot of resources out there for helping to identify birds and learn more about them but precious few apps that deal solely from an Irish point of view, dealing specifically with the Irish species. That's something we're really proud of,' he said.
Source: Birds of Ireland Field Guide app Source: Birds of Ireland Field Guide app Source: Birds of Ireland Field Guide app
BirdWatch Ireland produced the state-of-the-art app in collaboration with the German-based app developer, Sunbird Images.
For users who choose the premium version, augmented reality technology allows the birds to appear in life size, while artificial intelligence will help identify birds by sound or photo.
'As a charity, when people do upgrade to the premium version, then BirdWatch Ireland benefits from that. That money helps to support our conservation work.
'We're very keen to stress that the basic version of the app is amazingly functional and it is free of charge. We keen for as many people to download it and use it as possible,' Hatch said.
Species
The app contains filters so that users can sort different species by colour, size, location, and beak size.
'It's also a really nice app just to leaf through and have a look at the different birds that occur in Ireland. I think a lot of people will be surprised at just how varied the bird life of Ireland is and how many wonderful species we have,' Hatch said.
'Ireland really punches above its weight when it comes to bird diversity, given our location.
'We're the first port of call for birds crossing the Atlantic, we're the last port of call for birds leaving Europe. We're sort of a bridge between north and south so from that point of view you get birds from all over the world coming to Ireland, which is phenomenal.
'We have over 1,100 bird call recordings on the app, we have video clips, we've these 3D models – I'm sure that people won't have seen an app like this, it really is very sophisticated,' he added.
The app details the conservation status and rarity of each species, while the Irish language version of each bird's name is also included.
Hatch said that the app will be a valuable resource for the thousands of 'citizen scientists' who take part in BirdWatch Ireland initiatives, including the popular annual Irish Garden Bird Survey, which runs in the winter months.
'I know several people who have downloaded the app and they're already quite addicted to it! You learn a lot from it, the amount of information in it is absolutely stunning,' Hatch said.
BirdWatch Ireland operates over 30 local branches and has more than 15,000 members, making it the largest ornithological organisation in Ireland.
Branches across the country are currently running events to allow people experience the dawn and dusk choruses.
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