Making field notes using a voice recorder (1 Viewer)

[davercox]

Not sure where to put this (mods please move if you think there's a better slot for it).

On holiday in the Carpathians I met a couple of naturalists (particularly interested in butterflies) who used a small voice recorder to record what they had seen and where. Presumably at the end of the day they then played it back and transcribed/summarised in writing or online. They recommended this way of making notes, and sure it looked a lot easier than scrabbling around for a notebook and pencil every time (how many hands have we got, after all ?).

OK, you can't draw, obviously (I can't anyway, hopeless); and they did take a lot of photos as well, which must help. But I did wonder about using such a gadget for bird field notes, particularly for surveys like (British & Irish) Atlas TTVs: too late for that now, I know.

Anyway tried it ? have any views please ?

 

[SueO]

I have been using one recently and I really like it, but the batteries run out quickly. The one I have is a cheapo Olympus that I bought years ago--can't remember when. I tried it then (2006?) but my electronically challenged mind had a hard time working with it. I dug it out and have been using it here in Panama. It's so much easier to use than pulling out my pad and looking for the pen that fell out of my pocket somewhere on the path. It has a pause button so all I have to do is say the species, pause, species, pause...When I get back aboard and play it, it comes out in a non-stop string. I've learned to allow some time in between calling the species so there is a gap between names and I have time to type them into my computer as I hear them off the recorder. The last two days I've been back to my trusty paper and pen though because the batteries are dead again. Had to look for my dropped pen on last night's walk. If there is alot of bird activity at one time, it's nice to just call off the species, but I do like looking through my notebook at the months end.

 

[Phil Andrews]

Think it depends on what type of birding you do - cant be very annoying in the confines of a hide having someone recounting into a dictaphone every bird they have seen.

 

[davercox]

Think it depends on what type of birding you do - cant be very annoying in the confines of a hide having someone recounting into a dictaphone every bird they have seen.

For sure, I wouldn't dream of using it in a hide.

Thank you both for the replies.

 

[Dom F]

Not sure where to put this (mods please move if you think there's a better slot for it).

On holiday in the Carpathians I met a couple of naturalists (particularly interested in butterflies) who used a small voice recorder to record what they had seen and where. Presumably at the end of the day they then played it back and transcribed/summarised in writing or online. They recommended this way of making notes, and sure it looked a lot easier than scrabbling around for a notebook and pencil every time (how many hands have we got, after all ?).

OK, you can't draw, obviously (I can't anyway, hopeless); and they did take a lot of photos as well, which must help. But I did wonder about using such a gadget for bird field notes, particularly for surveys like (British & Irish) Atlas TTVs: too late for that now, I know.

Anyway tried it ? have any views please ?

Whilst I have never used it for bird notes when emptying multiple moth traps I would often use one to record species and counts - saved having to put the egg box down and scribble away. I learnt though that you do have to talk clearly otherwise data can be lost!

 

[Nohatch]

One word springs to mind...smartphone

 

[Keith Dickinson]

One word springs to mind...smartphone

Got the voice recorder set up on my wildfire with a shortcut on the home screen.

 

[halftwo]

I always use this method when abroad - can't look at a bird & write simultaneously - but you can describe & watch - then, when you have a chance look in the book!

 

[Mike Crawley]

used extensively on survey (brilliant) and occasionally aboard (not so good but my fault !)

 

[davercox]

Thanks again to everyone who replied, very useful.

 

[The Kingfisher]

I always use a voice recorder when I'm out bird watching. It is in my opinion a great way to record observations. A voice recorder is much easier to use than pen and paper when it rains, and it is also possible to keep track of the bird while doing a recording. Furthermore, you can record various bird calls or other things you need to remember (things that you for example have to do when you get home from the tour).

My voice recorder (Sony PX720) uses two AAA batteries. Despite fairly heavy use, the batteries last many weeks (or even a few months)! I can do a maximum of 495 recordings with the PX720.

So I highly recommend using a voice recorder for bird watchers!

 

[Gretchen]

I have also used a recorder fairly frequently. I find it especially helpful for noting a lot of features to help me identify a bird later, and as others have said, you can record the call (if the bird cooperates!). I think I can record more behaviors and features more quickly than writing, and as Halftwo mentioned, without taking your eyes off the bird. Of course, it's most successful if I am sure to make the time to listen when I get home and write things down in my notebook. (Also unless you're really good with labeling and organizing, you can end up with difficult to identify files if you don't deal with them quickly.)