eBird Mobile is free on Google Play and the App Store. It’s the only app that sends your bird sightings directly from your phone to eBird online. Before going out, check out the free eBird Essentials on Bird Academy. It has short videos on how to use the app, from installation to submitting your sightings.

This guide gives you handy steps for using eBird offline. Quickly add birds with the app’s Quick Entry and four-letter codes. Record your path, time, and distance automatically. If you lose signal, you can still save your list. Just press X at the review screen. Then, you can submit it when you’re back online.

The Merlin Bird ID app, by the Cornell Lab, works well with eBird and can be used offline too. Save locations beforehand for smooth use. This way, you spend less time entering data later. It also helps with research tasks. Once you’re back in service, your sightings will update on My eBird.

Why use eBird offline for birding trips

Using eBird offline makes your birding trip even more valuable. It turns it into a solid scientific effort. You don’t get distracted by noting everything down for later. This way, everyone – whether in teams or going solo – helps research and conservation more effectively.

Benefits for fieldwork and citizen science

eBird Mobile makes it easy to keep records while you’re out. It saves location, distance, and time, making sure your sightings are accurate. This speeds up data entry and makes the information better. This is crucial for big projects and helps citizen scientists contribute more effectively.

Avoiding data loss when you have no reception

If you lose reception, eBird lets you save your sightings. This way, you won’t lose important details until you’re online again. But, if you don’t submit these offline checklists, they could be lost forever due to device issues. It’s best to submit them quickly, keeping your findings safe and valuable to science.

How offline use supports Merlin and other tools

eBird data makes Merlin smarter, improving its bird suggestions. Even without internet, Merlin works by using preloaded data. By integrating with eBird, Merlin gets better at helping you identify birds offline. This loop ensures you get the best out of your birding experiences, making every outing count.

Preparing your device before you go offline

Before stepping out, take a moment to prepare your phone. This ensures your checklists and paths save correctly. Doing so prevents losing data and makes uploading them later a breeze.

Do these steps when you have good internet. Get the app, make sure your account details are up-to-date, and allow permissions. This way, eBird can track locations and paths without stopping.

• Install eBird Mobile on iOS or Android

  1. Start by opening the App Store or Google Play. Look up eBird Mobile and hit Get or Install, then Open once it’s done.

  2. Let the app update its regional packs and species lists through Wi‑Fi. This keeps your offline species information fresh before you head out.

• Create or sign in to your eBird account

  1. When you first open it, the app will ask about setting up an eBird account. You can make one right there if you don’t have one.

  2. Choose your display language and whether you prefer imperial or metric units. This makes your checklists fit your usual way of noting things.

  3. If there’s a specific atlas or portal you use, set it in the settings now. This ensures your lists go to the right place later on.

• Enable location services and necessary permissions

  1. Give the app permission to see your location. This lets it automatically find where you are, support Record Tracks, and add precise details to your lists.

  2. Activate background location if you’re going to use Record Tracks. It gives better estimates of distance and improves the data.

  3. Merlin and eBird both suggest turning on location services for eBird. It offers more accurate local species recommendations and sound identification.

Go through these steps while online to dodge any issues later. A quick review now will save you time outdoors and ensure your records are spot-on.

Download and manage bird packs for offline species lists

Bird packs provide info for bird watching in specific places. They work even when you have no phone signal. By adding these packs, your app will recommend birds likely to be seen and include local breeding behaviors. This is very helpful for birders who like to prepare.

What bird packs contain and why they matter

Each pack comes with names, pictures, and sounds for birds in a certain area. This info is great for quickly figuring out what birds you’re seeing when you’re out of signal range. It’s also important because it lets you pick the language for bird names.

How to find and install regional packs (Nearby, All, search)

You can find the best bird packs for where you are by checking the Nearby tab. Hit All for more options or search to find a pack for a specific place. Changing the language for bird names? The app will get those names for you. Just wait for a checkmark to show it’s done.

• Open Nearby to grab local packs fast.
• Use All to review larger regions and countries.
• Search by state or nation to find a specific regional species list.

Pack smart: download packs before traveling to new regions

Always download bird packs before visiting a new area. This way, you’ll have the right bird list from the start. For special projects, pick the pack for that area to get accurate bird and breeding info.

Merlin uses these packs for helping you identify birds without internet. If something’s missing, you can delete and re-download. Merlin stores info for the last six places you visited offline, so add your next destination’s pack before leaving.

By downloading bird packs early, your phone turns into a reliable guide. This planning ensures you have the info you need, offline and ready, for anywhere you go.

Set app preferences for offline success

Before you leave, take a few minutes to adjust eBird for offline use. Check things like name displays, measurement units, and installed packs. This will help avoid surprises and keep your checklists precise with no reception.

Select names and language preferences:

• Choose between Common Names or Scientific Names in settings to align with your process.
• If you pick Common Names, select your language from over 28 options and dialects.
• After changing languages, eBird confirms your choice. Return home and wait for the names to fully set up.

Set units and display behavior:

• Pick metric or imperial units to fit your reporting style.
• Your choice impacts how distances are shown during review and before checklist submission.

Confirm packs and allow download time:

• Ensure regional bird packs are fully installed while online; missing packs can lack species or media.
• For Merlin content, make sure photos and sounds are there. If not, delete and re-download the pack while connected to the internet.
• If using atlas workflows, configure the portal (e.g., New York Breeding Bird Atlas) in settings for proper submission routing.

Final checklist for app preferences eBird offline:

1. Make sure name and language settings in eBird are chosen and fully installed.
2. Adjust units to metric or imperial as necessary.
3. Check that all regional packs are completely downloaded before leaving.
4. Allow time for installations to finish. Interrupted downloads might miss offline content.

Adjusting eBird settings beforehand minimizes errors and speeds up data capture without signal. This makes field work easier and your checklists submission-ready once you’re back online.

Starting a checklist offline with Record Tracks

Before going out, check the date and start time. You can use the current time or pick an earlier start if you started watching birds before you opened the app. This makes sure your timing is right for atlas work and later when you’re looking at your data.

Record Tracks will automatically track your GPS path, the one-way distance, and how long you spent. It’s best to keep this on for walks and boat trips. By doing this, the app fills in some of the details for you, like how far you went and how long it took.

When you’re all set, press Start Checklist. If you think you’ll stop or finish without sending it right away, remember to stop the tracking. This makes sure your list shows the time and distance correctly when it’s done.

Make entering data faster with quick entry tricks. Click the search bar for the number pad to show up. Enter bird counts using short codes or part of their names, for example, type “teal” for Green-winged Teal. If you’re adding more birds that you’ve already counted, use the checked tab or type something like “30 EUST” to add a bunch quickly.

• Use Smart Sort to quickly find the birds you see a lot in your area.
• Choose Taxonomic Sort if you like your birds listed in the order a bird book has them.
• Make sure Record Tracks is on before you hit Start Checklist for atlas work.

Try to keep your entries short and the same each time. Using quick entry with Record Tracks makes entering data quick and easy. This way, you spend more time watching birds and less time typing.

Selecting and saving precise locations without service

Before you enter your bird watching data, picking the right spot is key. It keeps everything precise and helpful. If you’re out in nature, you might not have a good cell signal. So, it’s smart to think ahead and save locations you can use later. You can pick from places you’ve been recently or spots you’ve marked yourself, which helps you avoid making guesses when you’re not online.

Quick ways to pick a spot

• Recent: choose from the last 50 trips you used on the device.
• Nearby: view public hotspots that lie close to your position when you had service.
• Map: inspect public hotspots and personal locations in one view.

Creating and naming personal locations

To make your own spots on the map, get online first. Then, on the eBird map locations screen, press and hold to drop a pin anywhere you like. Once you’ve made a personal spot, remember to rename it. This way, you’ll know exactly which spot you’re picking later on.

Working offline

If you find yourself without internet, don’t worry. You can still pick from the places you’ve recently used or ones you’ve saved on your device. Just tap on the pin and the location’s name at the top of your checklist. Then, choose the stored location and tap “Use this location.” By doing this, your checklist will be linked to an exact spot, even without a network connection.

Best practices for representative locations

• Pick a location that represents the whole outing, not just a single observation.
• For traveling counts, check one-way distance before submitting so totals match the route.
• For atlas work, use a hotspot only when the point falls in the same block as your survey.

Setting up your eBird spots while you have internet access is a smart move. It takes away the guesswork when you’re out in the field. This little step makes your data better and saves time, especially on busy bird watching days.

Entering sightings offline and adding important details

When you’re offline, note every bird seen or heard and their counts. Start with clear numbers, add notes by tapping a species, and record their behavior when possible. This approach helps make your data valuable for local atlases and other birdwatchers who check your lists later.

On the species detail screen, add breeding codes from eBird for actions like nesting or feeding young. Pick the most solid evidence you see and update it with stronger proof if found later. For atlas work, even “possible” signs like singing in appropriate areas are worth noting.

“Quick Entry” saves time while you’re out birding. Just type a number and a species code to quickly note large groups. If you can’t find a bird’s name easily, start typing part of its name. Use “Smart Sort” or “Taxonomic Sort” to help find what you’re looking for faster.

• Count accurately, especially with mixed groups.
• Note any behavior like feeding or nest-building.
• Use breeding codes from eBird on the species screen for breeding activity.

Multimedia, like photos and audio, helps confirm unique sightings. Save these files on your device first, so you can add them to your eBird checklist later. Keeping these files in the app ensures they’re safe until you’re ready to upload them through a reliable connection or on the eBird site.

For unusual bird sightings, attach a clear photo or short sound clip. Detailed records help the review process and support the birding community. Name your files clearly with the species and date to keep your uploads well organized.

If you can’t find a bird on your list, type in part of its name or the Quick Entry code. Custom sorting helps you find birds faster during busy birdwatching. These steps simplify how to record sightings offline and keep your observations precise for when you’re ready to share them.

Storing checklists locally and managing Not Submitted items

If you’re birding and lose connection, eBird Mobile saves your data. You can finish your day offline. It’s smart to save checks on your device instead of trying to submit without service. This guide covers where these lists are saved, how to do it, and ways to avoid losing them.

How to save a checklist when offline

• Hit the X at the top left on the checklist review screen to save it on your phone without submitting.
• Make sure the date, time, and notes are correct before you close it. This ensures your saved version is complete.
• If you’re working on atlas projects, stop tracking before saving. This ensures the saved data correctly shows the trip’s distance and time.

Where to find Not Submitted checklists in the app

• Go to Checklists and click the Not Submitted tab to see lists saved on your device.
• Choose any list to open, change counts or add media, and submit it when you’re back online.
• Organize lists by different habitats or survey areas. This helps you follow project rules and edit lists more easily later.

Risks of leaving lists unsubmitted and eBird backup tips

• Lists not submitted on eBird remain on your device only. They won’t show up on eBird.org until you submit them.
• If your phone gets lost, broken, or reset before submitting, you might lose those lists forever.
• Backing up your device, like with iCloud or Android Backup, might save your app data. But submitting is the best way to keep your records safe.

Get in the habit of submitting as soon as you can connect again. Keep your checklists short and accurate out there. Remember to stop tracking when needed. These tips reduce the risk of losing your valuable sightings. Plus, they help make your data reliable for scientific use.

Submitting stored checklists when you regain connectivity

When you’re back online, review each saved checklist before you submit it. This step catches simple mistakes. It makes sure your field work accurately reflects on eBird.

First, check three important fields: distance, observers, and list completeness. If Record Tracks was used, the app fills in protocol, distance, and duration. But, double-check these to ensure they’re correct for your journey and how you traveled.

• Distance: report the straight one-way distance for counts. Cross-check distance eBird by comparing your route and eliminate any backtracking.
• Observers: name every participant who was birding. If necessary, share the checklist with other eBird users.
• Complete checklist: mark this if you’ve noted every species spotted.

Stop Record Track right after you finish birding to get precise minutes and distance. Remove loops or backtracks from the track. For traveling counts, keep distances within suggested limits, like under five miles. If you didn’t move much, label it as Stationary if less than about 30 meters.

To submit, go to the checklist review screen and tap Submit with an internet connection. After submitting, your data is saved on eBird and viewable in My eBird on all devices. For adding photos or sounds, it’s easier to upload via eBird.org post submission.

If you need to make changes, you can edit checklists in the app under Checklists or on the eBird site. To correct counts, change protocol, or add media, use edit eBird checklist. Before submitting for atlas or projects, make sure the portal setting is right so it goes to the correct project.

Using eBird offline: step-by-step guide

This guide shows you how to use eBird offline from start to end. It gives clear steps to follow. Be ready by adopting an offline-first mindset. Also, check everything before your trip to avoid unexpected issues in remote places.

Step-by-step checklist from install to submit

1. Download eBird Mobile from Google Play or the App Store while online.
2. Log in or set up your eBird account in the app. Make sure your profile is correct.
3. Choose your settings: names, language, and units you prefer.
4. Get regional bird packs using Nearby, All, or search before you go.
5. If doing atlas work, adjust your portal settings (Settings → Portal).
6. Turn on Location Services and allow permissions before your field day.
7. When starting a checklist, set the date/time, enable Record Tracks, then hit Start checklist.
8. Choose a precise location using Recent, Nearby, or Map. You need a valid location to submit.
9. Enter species with Quick Entry, add counts, and note breeding codes and behavior.
10. Keep photos and audio on your device to upload once you have service.
11. If offline, hit X to save your list under Not Submitted. Submit it when online.

Field checklist workflow with offline-first actions

• Load regional packs and locations in advance so you can use names and lists without data.
• Track your distance and time automatically with Record Tracks. Remember to stop it before you review.
• Speed up entries with Quick Entry and smart sorting, especially during busy bird watching moments.
• Enter breeding codes right there if they are needed for atlas work.
• Save your checklist right away if there’s no connectivity. Submit it when you get service again.

Sample pre-trip eBird checklist to ensure offline readiness

1. Get eBird Mobile and Merlin updated and installed.
2. Download the local bird and Merlin packs for where you’re going.
3. Check in on eBird, confirm your settings, and make sure everything is set how you like.
4. Make sure Location Services work, try Record Tracks online, and set up or name your locations.
5. Charge your device, bring a power bank, and have eBird Essentials handy for help.

Following this eBird outline helps you create a stress-free offline eBird system. This short pre-trip list reduces stress in the field. It lets you focus on enjoying birdwatching instead of worrying about your gear.

Conclusion

eBird Mobile helps birders quickly note what they see and aids science. Before going out, download the area’s bird pack and set up your app. Turn on Record Tracks to keep accurate track of your path and time. This makes less work for you after your trip and helps Merlin offer better ID tips offline.

Adding exact spots, how many birds you see, and if they’re breeding makes the data valuable. Projects like bird breeding studies and local checks use this info. If you don’t upload your sightings, they stay on your phone. This can lead to lost data. Make sure to upload your findings as soon as you can to help eBird.org.

This guide tells you how to make the most of eBird Mobile offline. Get your device ready, keep track of your route, detail what you see, and upload it when you’re back online. Doing this helps with science, conservation, and makes birding more fulfilling.