Submitting records
In order to enter observations, first you need an account (see section Web interface > Getting started > Registration). Once logged in (see section Web interface > Getting strated > Logging in) click on Submit (see image Send records from homepage) or access through the left hand menu under Information > Transmit my sighting (see image Send records from left column). The process will follow three stages: approximate choice of a site, precise location and enter an observation.
Step 1/3: Approximate choice of a site
There are different ways to locate your observation (see image Step 1/3: Approximate choice of a site).
By typing text
Search for a place by typing its name. You will be taken to Step 2/3: Precise site choice. If you typed a very general name (ex. Mantet), you will access a list with all possible precise locations (see image 12); but if you typed a predetermined precise location (ex. Roc de l’Alemany), you will only access options for that location.
By geographic coordinates
Coordinates should follow the WGS 84 datum, either in degrees, minutes and second (example 2°17'23.36 E 42°28'13.82 N) or in decimal degrees (exemple E002.28982° N42.47051°). The system will automatically detect if you are using degrees, minutes and seconds or decimal degrees. Use negative coordinates for Western longitudes. You will be taken to Step 3/3: Transmitting my sightings (see subsection below) with the format as if you added a precise sighting (see Step 2/3: Precise site choice > Add a precise sighting below, Image 13). Your record will be listed under the closest pre-determined site, as shown by the yellow line (see image 13), but your coordinates will only be visible to you and to administrators.
By choosing a municipality
It is also possible to enter a municipality. Type the beginning of the municipality name and select from the panel. If clicking Display, you will go to a form asking more precise location (see Step 2/3: Precise site choice). If choosing Zoom on the municipality you can select from the map below a more precise location (see By clicking on the map below).
Choosing from
Choose from the proposed sites based on your previous records. You can see up to 5 of the most visited sites during the last 6 months. Click on any of these sites to access an expandable menu as in image 11. In Choosing from you have the option to Attach to map. This will display in the map below the area you are looking for, and it is especially useful to approach a site you know is nearby.
By clicking on the map
Or one can select from the map below. Locations are represented with a dot. Click on a dot to see options for this location (see image 11, and Step2/3: Precise site location). By clicking at any other point of the map, you can only add a precise sighting (see step 2/3: precise site choice). You can centre on your last location by clicking on go to my last sighting at the top left corner; or centre at your location by going to go towards home (see image 11 encircled). You can change you location at website customisation (see section 2. Getting started Customise website).
Step 2/3: Precise site choice
If accessed from By choosing a municipality > Display it returns a list with all possible sites for this municipality, and all options for each of them (see image 12).
If accessed from By clicking on the map, it returns on the same map a menu with all possible actions to this location (see image 11 on previous section).
Options are:
Add sightings on this locality
It will take you to Step 3/3: Transmitting my sightings > If accessed from add sightings on location or Add precise location (see next section).
Add a precise sighting
It still takes us to Step 3/3: Transmitting my sittings but adds a section at the top in which to click the position of the individual (see image 13. Note how your observation got associated to a new precise location –yellow line on the map). The system associates this record automatically with the closest location and will show the observation linked to that site. If you want to change to which point it gets associated to, hold CTRL and click on the new predetermined site. Exact coordinates will only be visible for you and for the administrators. Adding a precise sighting is especially useful when we know the exact point of the observation but cannot work out to which predetermined location it belongs to; or for studies that require exact positions, for example when mapping nests or territories.
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Both Add Sightings to this location and Add a precise sighting are most useful for partial lists and occasional recordings of some species. To make list with more scientific value, see next subsection Fill a daily form for this locality.
Fill a daily form for this locality
It will take you to Step 1/3: Transmit sighting > If accessed from a list (fill a daily form) (see next section).
This is the preferred option to record lists of observations. It requires more detailed information than if using add sightings on this location or add a precise sighting, but while it takes longer to submit, it also has more scientific value. You will be asked to enter date and time, number of individuals, breeding status, among others. Introducing an atlas code is mandatory if entering observations with that option.
Step 3/3: Transmitting my sighting
Now is when you can start entering your observations.
If accessed from add sightings on this locality or add precise location
The first part of the form is mandatory information, while the second you can skip it. On the right hand column you can see your last 30 records under the predetermined site they are associated, and have the option to delete or modify any of them (see section 4. Editing records).
Mandatory fields
See image 14.
Date and time
Type or select from the expandable calendar. By default you will be shown the current date. Add the time (optional) at the bottom of the panel when clicking on the calendar icon. For quick access there are few options on the right side.
Site
Reconfirm the approximate site selected previously and change altitude if necessary (for example when the slope is pronounced and two observations were seen on the same coordinate but at different altitudes). The altitude given by default is that of the predetermined site. At the bottom of the subsection there is the option to change the location; you will be taken back to Step 1/3: Approximate choice of a site.
Taxa
There is a horizontal bar with different taxa silhouetted. Use the arrows on right and left to visualise all options. If necessary place the mouse over a silhouette to get the name of the taxa it represents. Click on the taxa your observation belongs to in order to access the access the list of species or this taxa (see Species below).
Species
Start typing the name of the species in the selected language (see section 2. Getting started > Customise my sightings > Language), and choose from the expandable menu on the right. The most likely record is highlighted in grey. The species are listed alphabetically or systematically, depending on your preferences. To change the order, go to section 2. Getting started > Customise website. Move through the species with the keyboard arrows, moving the right hand bar with your mouse or roll the mouse wheel.
Number of individuals
Choose count precision on the left hand field and enter number. Options are exact number, approximate number, a minimum number or not counted (if not counted, leave the right hand field blank). Not counting number of individuals is often used for those species occurring very commonly.
Additional information
The following information is not mandatory, but interesting if known.
Sex and age of individuals
Type the number of individuals per each sex, age and circumstances of recording. Options are shown on expandable menus per section. You can break the record per age, sex, or circumstances subgroup by clicking on add some more individuals (see example in image 15). As you enter categories, a code is forming at the bottom right corner of subsection. Passing the mouse on top, you can read the correspondence. You can type the code directly if you know it.
Other data/Information
Hidden data
Tick the filed if you do not want the record to appear publicly on the web site, neither for registered nor anonymous users. You and the administrators will still have access to this data. This option is useful to protect certain species or nesting sites. Note that some of the species and sites are automatically hidden at least part of the year. If you still consider any of the other species or sites sensitive and want to protect them, tick the option.
Second hand data
Tick the field when you are not the author of the observation. This may occur if someone comments an observation to you, or if you are browsing old records. Always seek permission from the author to publish the observation, even if shown as anonymous.
Atlas code
For some species, an atlas code is required at times. If not entered in that section, a new window prompting you to choose the code will appear after saving the record. You can click on the corresponding code, click on Previous to go back to image 15 to enter the code, or ignore and continue to next observation (see image 16).
Dead/wound
Tick if the animal observed is dead or wounded.
Behaviour
Record the behaviour of the individual/s if known.
Project code
Associate an existing project to the record or leave blank if the observation is not part or a project.
Picture
Using the buttons at the end of the subsection, you can attach an image or a sound to the record. Make sure the file does follow the requirements of size, otherwise it will not attach. For pictures they are maximum 450 pixels on the largest side, and 600 MB; for sound files, 1 MB. To attach more than file, click again on the attach button. Pictures and sound can also be added at a later stage (see section 14. Editing records).
Attach only those pictures or sound recordings you have taken yourself.
To make the file private (only you can see it), tick the box on the right (see image 16).
Comments
Finally, you can leave a comment. It may be public or private. By default, the system will make it public (tab comment). To make it private, go to the hidden comment tab –it is marked by a yellow key on its left. Only you can see a hidden comment.
Ending the observation
When done with the record, click Save at the end of the page (see image 15, 17). The new observation will appear at the top of the right column and you will be able to continue entering observations for this site and date. If you need to change the site, go to change site on the mandatory Site section and you will be taken to Step 1/3: approximate choice of a site. This may happen when covering a relatively wide area on the same day.
If accessed from a list (fill a daily form)
Select location as in Step 1/3: Approximate choice of site and in Step 2/3: Precise site choice select Fill a daily form. Location will be pre-selected in next step.
Date and time section (see image 17)
Enter date and time as accurate as possible. It is recommended to not exceed 30 minutes. If your observations extend from that time, you can start a new list were you left off.
Change altitude if necessary.
Choose from an expandable menu if the observations you are submitting are part of a bigger study. Leave blank if your list is not part of an established project.
Here one can also add any comment and decide if records will be public. If the option is ticked, records will not be displayed on the website but will still be seen by administrators and used for data analyses.
List section (image 18)
At the top you will see the site, date and time you selected. Click “Change site”, for site, or “previous”, for date and time, if you need to make any changes.
Now you can enter your records. Choose a species from the list or start typing the name on the left field and choose from the expandable list. To move through the list use the arrows on your keyboard, the wheel on the mouse, or move the right with your mouse. To change the order in which you see the species, and the language of the species, see section 2. Getting started > “Customise website”.
Then “add that species to the list”. The new species will show on top of the species selection fields.
Enter the number of individuals and count precision in the field right from the species name (see image 18). If you enter an exact count, do not choose count precision. Finally enter an atlas code, if required. If unknown, you can choose “none” on the atlas code field. When the record is correctly entered, the name appears in yellow. Enter a new species and repeat the process.
Additional information
By clicking on the plus sign (+) at the left of the species name (see image 18), a new form will open.
Site
Choose a more precise site by clicking on the “Map” tab (see image 19). Click on the exact position and adjust the altitude if necessary. To see how to navigate the map, see section 3. Submitting records > “Step 1/3: approximate choice of site” > “By clicking on the map”. At the top there are quick functions: choose as appropriate. When the position you select if too far from the previously selected site, a warning sign will appear and you will not be able to perform the action. This record should be entered under a different site.
Duplicate the species
A new entry for the same species will be added to the list (below the additional information form). It is useful when you need two different atlas codes for different individuals of the same species.
Comments
Your comments can be public or private. To make them private click on the corresponding tab and a yellow key will appear on the left of the field (see image 15, 19).
Time
Select a precise time from the menu.
Number of individuals per age/sex/activity
Select how many individuals you recorded of each category, if known. To add a new line, click on “add some more individuals”. You can delete any entry by clicking on the right hand cross of the record (see image 19).
Others
Indicate by ticking the corresponding field if you want to hide additional information from the public or if the individual/s is dead or wounded.
When you have added all the additional information you have, you can hide the form by clicking on the minus sign (-) next to the species name (see image 19).
Ending the list
When all records are entered, indicate if you recorded all individuals detected (complete list) o only part of them.
You will then be taken to the start of a new list (section “If accessed from a list (fill a daily form)” > “Date and time section” (see image 17).