How to keep count of birds during a field count

Why the usual way fails

Field counts mix several species at once, often in bursts, and each needs its own tally. A notebook works but needs a free hand and dry weather. A phone can hold several counters, yet unlocking it and finding the right one takes your eyes off the birds, and gloves make touch screens awkward in the cold. Mental counts do not survive a flock of thirty landing next to the two you were tracking. So the counting tool ends up being the slowest part of the walk, and the count suffers for it.

How Tally Counter App for Wear OS helps

Tally Counter is a counter on your Wear OS watch, and birdwatching and field counts are among the uses it lists. You can keep up to eight named counters, one per species or group, and switch between them on the watch. Each tap adds one, or you can turn the crown or bezel to adjust the count. For a larger flock, choose a bigger step size, anywhere from 1 to 100, so one tap adds five or ten. Lock a counter you are done with so a brush of the sleeve does not change it, and undo the last reset if you clear one by mistake. It works without a phone connection, account or network access, which helps on walks without signal, and the counts stay on the watch. With the Tile or a watch face complication you can see the selected count with a short glance.

Step by step

1. Before the walk, create a counter for each species you expect, up to eight.
2. Name each counter so you can tell them apart at a glance.
3. Set a larger step size on counters for birds that come in flocks.
4. On the walk, open the right counter and tap or turn the crown to count.
5. Lock counters you have finished so they do not change.
6. Copy the final numbers into your notes or survey form at the end.

Tips

• Keep the first counter for the species you see most, so it is the one on the Tile.
• Turn sound off and haptics on, so you do not disturb birds but still feel each count.
• Count in groups of five or ten for large flocks, then adjust with single taps when they settle.
• Agree on a counting route with others in your group so the same birds are not counted twice.

Questions