Busy times

The last few weeks have been very busy, mainly due to the rush to finish the iPad version of Chirp! Europe before the release of the device in the UK. It's almost complete now, just a few phrases to have translated then it can be submitted to Apple - that will be a relief! Then it will be back to other urgent jobs such as updates of Chirp! and the Bird Guide. The next update of the Bird Guide is going to be particularly exciting because it will include the fantastic new artwork created by Marcello at Wrinkly Pea. Prepare to be stunned!

In between other work, we finished a huge new update for Chirp! USA which appeared in the store today. The update adds another 16 birds to the app: the California Towhee, Canyon Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Wrentit, Black-headed Grosbeak, Pygmy Nuthatch, Pyrrhuloxia, Verdin, Western Tanager, Blue Grosbeak, Red-shouldered Hawk, Black-billed Cuckoo, Bobolink, Pine Warbler, Swamp Sparrow and Yellow-billed Cuckoo, plus extra sounds for some birds. The same birds will be coming very soon to Chirp! for the iPad.

Chirp! Bird Songs USA Plus - for iPad

It's just a couple of days before the release of the iPad in the US, and I'm thrilled to say that Chirp! will be there on launch day!

Chirp! Bird Songs USA Plus is the iPad version of Chirp! USA, redesigned to take advantage of the extra screen space. The most important feature is that all the images have been re-sized and re-edited, and should look stunning. This launch version will only work on the iPad, but we intend to make it a Universal app as soon as we can test it properly, so that if you buy the Pad version, you will also get an iPhone version.

We can't wait to see what it looks like on the actual device - like almost all the other developers we've had to develop for a device that we've never seen, which was... well, hmm, interesting ;).

So if you are in the USA, and are getting an iPad at the weekend, don't forget to look for us in the AppStore!

Bird Guide Britain

It's a big day today - our field guide to British Birds is finally in the AppStore! We've been working on it for so many months that it is hard to believe that it is finally out. Also a bit nerve-racking, waiting for the feedback! It only has 112 birds at present, but these include all common and locally common song birds, plus woodpeckers, owls, gulls, pigeons, parrots and the most common birds of prey, with photos, songs and calls. It's a hefty beast already! We will be adding more birds in regular updates until all common and locally common, plus many rarer birds are included. The first update is already well under way and that will add waterbirds - ducks, swans, geese and grebes.

The plan is that once it is finished, it will be adapted and translated for other European countries. It made sense to start with Britain because Britain has fewer birds, and we already speak the language ;).

Here's the link to the App Store: Bird Guide Britain

Chirp! is an Apple Favourite!

Apple have chosen Chirp! USA as a Staff Favorite in the USA and several other countries, plus featuring Zwitschern! (Chirp! Europe) in Germany! As you can imagine, we are very excited about this! As a result of the extra publicity, Chirp Europe has entered the Top 100 of all paid apps in Austria, the Netherlands & Sweden. Thanks to all Chirp fans for making this happen!

Chirp! Europe v3

The latest update for Chirp! Europe is now available in the AppStore! The main additions are two new features - a simple search, and a way of listing favourites, both features that have become more and more necessary as the list of birds continues to increase. In order to add these features, other changes were necessary - for example, the various option buttons needed more room, so they have been moved off-screen. This has the advantage of making the screen look less cluttered, and the buttons can be larger, but the downside is that two taps are now needed in order to change the sorting method. Sorting is now alphabetical by default, and there have also been changes to the database to make it easier to add new languages in future.

These changes will be included in the next update to Chirp! USA (unless I get a lot of negative feedback!).

Another new year!

Happy New Year to all Chirp! fans!

We are still working hard on the next update. I hope all the problems will be fixed soon, so we can get it out and get on with the next update, but we are still seeing an occasional mystery crash (or two). As soon as these are fixed it will be off to Apple, and we can move on to the next update and also carry on with the Bird Guide.

Here's to great things in 2010!

Ring-necked Parakeets (in Britain)

Researchers at Imperial College are starting a study into Ring-necked Parakeets in Britain. They are first compiling a list of roosts and would especially like to hear from you if you know of any roosts, and they are also looking for volunteers to take part in a Parakeet count on 3rd January. If you can't make that date, maybe you'd like to be involved in a count later in the year. I've pasted the details of Project Parakeet below, and you'll find a contact email address at the end.

Parakeet Population Census : Call for volunteers

We are a research group at the Biology Department of Imperial College London. We have recently begun a four year study into the effects of the ring-necked parakeet on native bird species in the UK. As part of this work it is essential for us to have accurate estimates of the current population size of the ring-necked parakeet in the UK, and its growth rate. The last census was carried out in 2001/2, and current estimates of population size are based on this data and the growth rates that they estimated at the time. This gives a current estimate of 20,000-50,000 individuals.

In order to estimate the current population size we intend to co-ordinate a large scale roost count. The first count will take place on Sunday 3rd January 2010, and will be simultaneous across as many known roosts as possible, using the same methods at all sites. If the count is successful we intend to repeat the count every three months to enable us to estimate the population growth rate and any changes in roost usage. We are now seeking volunteers who would be willing to assist with two elements of this project:

1) Compiling a list of all known roost sites

2) Assisting with the first roost count on Sunday 3rd January 2010.

Counts will begin two hours before sunset (14:04 on Jan 3rd) and will continue for half an hour after sunset (16:34) to allow for any individuals arriving in the residual light of dusk. The intention is to have several people counting at each site in order to control for individual error and allow us to cover all entry routes into the roost. No experience is necessary to assist with the count as we will provide a full, clear protocol to follow, along with data collection sheets. The data that we collect during these counts will be prepared for publication in relevant journals and will be widely publicised.

If you know of any roost locations or are interested in assisting with the count on Jan 3rd (or for any future counts), please contact us at: parakeet@imperial.ac.uk.