Entering records

To share your observations, click on the + sign at the bottom left corner (see image Submitting records). A menu will open with all possible options to enter your records (see image Different options to submit records). Use the shortcuts on the top right corner for a direct access to directly in the field and with list in the field. Scroll down the refresh arrow to refresh records. It is especially useful when browsing records near me.

Submitting records.

Different options to submit records.

TIP FOR BEGINNERS: If you are not yet familiarised with the application, enter records as directly in the field. This is the easier option. As you familiarise with the application, move to other options. Lists are the more useful way to enter data for conservation purposes.

Directly in the field (+)

Use this option to enter casual observations in real time. You can access it from the main menu or from the shortcut the top right corner of the screen (see image Directly in the field).

Directly in the field.

Place

REMEMBER: Smiley = Observer's position Red marker = Data position

Indicate the position of the observed individual by moving the map to match the red marker. To know how to navigate the map, see wiki section Mobile interface > Navigating the map. Use tha "aim" icon to activate the GPS and wait for the yellow smiley before continuing. When done, click on Next.

Use the "list" icon on the left to see a list of all your previous records (see image below).

Location.

Species

There are two different ways to enter the species according to your preferences. Set your preferences by going to Menu > Preferences > Personalisation > Display of species (see image Display of species).

• Choose by search: Choose the taxonomic group from the top horizontal panel and start typing the species name. A list will appear underneath from which to choose the correct species. See image Display of species by species.
  

• Choose by group, family, species: Start by selecting the taxonomic group, then the family and finally the species. See image Display of species by group, family, species.
  

Note the species' names will show in the language you selected in Preferences. To change it, go to Menu> Preferences > Species > Language of the species.

Number of individuals

Enter the number of individuals first and choose the accuracy of the count. Choose between Not counted, approximate number, exact number or minimum number (see image Entering number of individuals). If you did not count the individuals, for example for very common species, there is no need to introduce any number.

Entering number of individuals.

Enter FIRST the number of individuals and then the count precision. Once you enter the count precision, you are taken to the next screen and cannot enter the number of individuals any longer.

If you need to add new individuals as you count them, click on Start a counter and keep adding or subtracting individuals (see image Start a counter) until all are counted or you need to move to another species. Click Close to end the count and continue entering the observation.

Start a counter.

Start a counter could be very useful when counting flocks.

Additional information

Add more information about this record. Icons will appear in yellow when they contain any information or are activated.

Additional information.

Comments

Additional information. Comments.

Leave a comment in the top section if you want it to be public and associated to your record. Any registered user will see it. Use the lower section if you want to keep your comment private. Note administrators will still see it. To learn more about administrators, go to wiki section Local portals > Administration. Click Validate when done.

Adding comments.

Validate only validates the comments. To validate your record you will have to Save later.

Details (Age and sex)

Additional information. Details.

According the taxonomic group you are entering, fields for details differ. Examples and explanation below apply only to birds.

Enter number of individuals per each sex and age class. Type number or use +1 -1 quick keys to quickly change the number. Key Max will count all individuals entered for this species. As you enter, a list will show at the bottom. Scroll up and down from the right hand bar to see all entries, or click on cross to delete any entry if necessary (see image below). When done, click Add to enter a new class or finish to end.

Adding age and sex to a record.

Examples of Details for non-avian taxonomic groups. Orchids (left), Odonata (right).

Atlas code

Additinal information. Atlas code.

Select an atlas code, or no code. Available atlas codes will depend on the country you chose on Preferences and for your information it is displayed at the bottom of the screen (see image below).

During the breeding season some countries may ask automatically to enter an atlas code. It is highly encouraged you do so (very useful, for example, for breeding atlas) but it is not compulsory.

Go to Menu > Preferences > Atlas code to change the code you use.

Adding an atlas code.

Hidden record

Additional information. Hidden record.

Select/unselect as needed. A yellow key indicates the record will be hidden. Default option depends on your ‘’’Preferences’’’. Go to Menu > Preferences > Hide record to change it. Note some records are automatically hidden depending on the country or region your observation takes place. Observations in countries not covered by any local partner are never automatically hidden. However, any user can hide records if they consider doing so will help protect the individuals, species or habitat. Hidden records will be hidden from other users, but administrators will still see them. To see which records will automatically be hidden, go to Web interface > Local portals > Species partially hidden. To learn more about administrators, go to Web interface > Local portals > Administration.

Picture

Additional information. picture.

Add a picture associated to your record. When accessing, it displays all images already attached to this record. To add a new picture, click on the top right hand corner + sign. If no pictures are already attached, you are taken directly to the menu (see image below).

Adding a picture. Menu.

Choose between

• Enter pictures from gallery, if you have already taken them and they are stored on your phone's gallery. Pictures must be taken with your phone or inserted afterward through a local portal. If no local portal exist, it is not currently possible to add a picture through data.biolovision.net.
  
• Take a picture then. If you do, do not forget to accept to upload it (see image below).
  

Taking a picture to upload.

You can see the images as they are attached. Hide/unhide by clicking on the corresponding key or delete by clicking on the cross (see image below). You will also be able to edit at a later stage. When done, add another picture or Validate to move to other sections.

Hidding a picture.

Use the key icon to hide the image while keeping the record visible. If you hide the record, the image is automatically hidden.

Mortality/injuries

Additional information. Mortality / injuries.

Indicate if your observation corresponds to an injured or dead individual, and select the cause if known. Scroll down All causes to see all options (see image Selecting cause of injury 1). Click on the category to open a panel with all possible causes and enter details (see bottom image Selecting cause of injury 2). When done, click Validate. For quick selection, there are the icons for the most common causes on top (see image Selecting cause of injury 1). When you finish entering the cause of death or injury click Save or if necessary, Delete. The entry can be modified later.

Selecting cause of injury 1.

Selecting cause of injury 2.

Ending the record

When you finish entering an observation, click Save and you will be taken to your list of observations pending synchronisation. Click on any of the records to see details and/or edit (see edit records LINK). A green line shows on top to prove data is saved, then automatically disappears (see image below).

Records saved.

Later

Enter casual observations after they occur.

Later.

Date / Time

Entering date is copulsory. Entering time is not. Check the corresponding box to open the option to enter time (image Entering date and time).

Since you may be entering your observation after it occurred, entering a time is optional. Check Enter time to enter the time or leave it uncheck if you do not want to enter a time. Click on the date button to modify date and when date and time (optional) are correct, click Save to move to next step.

Entering date and time.

Enter date: Click on the default (current) date button to open a clickable calendar and choose the appropriate day.

Enter time:

• Tick Enter time.
  
• Click on the default (current) time to open a clickable clock (see image Entering date and time).
  
• Select first the hour, then the minutes, and finally the seconds. Or click on the corresponding part of the digital clock on top to indicate if you are adjusting hour, minutes or seconds. The parameter you are adjusting at the time shows in bold in the digital clock (see image below). Exact seconds may be important for some taxa, for protocols, or in lists.
  
• Click OK to save and continue.
  

Entering time.

Place

Set red marker at the location where the observation took place (as described in wiki section Mobile interface > Submitting records > Directly in the field > Place).

Yellow smiley and red marker may not match in this case as the observation is entered a posteriori. To learn how to navigate the map, see wiki section Mobile interface > Navigating the map.

Species

Enter species as described in wiki section Mobile interface > Submitting records > Directly in the field > Species.

Number of individuals

Enter the number of individuals as described in wiki section Mobile interface > Submitting records > Directly in the field > Number of individuals. Note in this option one cannot Start a count as in other options.

Additional information

Enter any other additional information as described in wiki section Mobile interface > Submitting records > Directly in the field > Additional information.

COMPARISON BETWEEN "DIRECTLY IN THE FIELD" AND "LATER" Entering observations directly in the field is faster as date and time are already selected for you. Selecting a location is also faster if using the aim icon: you are already into position! Entering observations later is useful when observations are taken in other support, like a paper notebook, especially on rainy days, when phone’s battery is low, or for any other reason you prefer not to use your device inn the field.