9 replies to this topic

[rogerVA]

I might finally type up a list of all the birds I've photographed this year (a laughable number, but a start). This will be my life-list. If I see one I don't get a picture of, I'll probably still list it, but the idea is to get a photo of every type I can.

Anyway, my question: can you guys recommend a good FREE list program I could use? Or do most of you just do your own spreadsheet?

[TheBillyPilgrim]

I might finally type up a list of all the birds I've photographed this year (a laughable number, but a start). This will be my life-list. If I see one I don't get a picture of, I'll probably still list it, but the idea is to get a photo of every type I can.

Anyway, my question: can you guys recommend a good FREE list program I could use? Or do most of you just do your own spreadsheet?

I use a combination of my own word document and ebird (which has some nice ability to manipulate parameters for more specific lists).

[dklucius]

being a backyard birder i searched Utah and Colorado on Bing and found some great state bird lists for each with space to write dates and areas ect. it works for me but also gives me a wish list to see what other birds are out there around me.

[fisherman1313]

I keep several lists as Word documents. I also use ebird, but because I don't count "heard birds" on my personal lists but do include them in submissions to ebird the lists are somewhat different. One suggestion I would make if you're going to keep your lists in taxonomic order as Word or Excel documents is to copy and paste the "official" list for your state into Word as well. That way you can refer to the state list whenever you have a new bird to add.

[Rudi Nuissl]

Being an accountant, my list is in Excel. Everyone has their own method. There is paid software out there to track your life list, but I don't recommend it. I do also use eBird to report my findings in the field. I just retroactively reported my early sightings to get my entire life list in eBird. eBird is really the best, free online tool and it does some good for the birding comminity too.

As for what to count, that is entirely up to you. I only count photographed birds on my official life list. Thus, I'm in a strange position where I have seen plenty of Cardinals but have not managed to get an acceptable photo of one. I call these pseudo-lifers, but don't really track them.

[jblakelock]

One suggestion I would make if you're going to keep your lists in taxonomic order as Word or Excel documents is to copy and paste the "official" list for your state into Word as well. That way you can refer to the state list whenever you have a new bird to add.

This is what I do, but with Google documents.

[rogerVA]

Thanks guys, I'll probably use a generic word(type) document for now. Do you guys note what gender of the bird you've seen and does anybody cheat and count two genders of one bird as two birds in their life count?

[cwj2323]

I make notes on the gender of each species on my life list if I know it, but do not count them as extra species. A time or two I've been tempted based on taking so long to find a female... This year I got a female Indigo Bunting, so she did get a note on the year list, since I had not yet seen the male.

[fisherman1313]

Technically a life list is a list of species you've seen, so sexes are not counted. That said, it is, as has been said on the forums on occasion, your list so you can keep it however you want. The only "rules" for listing apply if you plan to submit your list to the ABA (American Birding Assosiation).

[creeker]

Then you have the "Old School" like me, that just checks off his lifers in the back of an old field guide. I don't even know how many birds I have on my list, and not that interested in counting them all to find out.
I remember the topic came up once before, that some people only count adult males on their list. I joked that I was only going to count juvies and females on my list, to balance it all out.