Planet Birdsong offers training in audio-data collection, verification, preparation and storage to both higher level
scientists and citizen scientists (those birders who seek to become competent ornithologists and expert bird guides for
tourists). We are committed to work to the same qualitative standards and specifications as already being developed, to
ensure maximum value from the data. We offer access to recording equipment, developed to be accessible to as many
participants as possible and compatible with existing recording capacity on local smartphones, with additional
professional equipment to key players. We are collaborating with
Time and Space Learning to produce
an affordable parabolic reflector that can be attached to any smart phone to enable high-quality recording.
Local birders and ornithologists will then take forward the recording of bird sounds, aiming to complete country lists
over a period of several years. PBF can provide specialist recording equipment for local project co-ordinators and
higher-level scientists engaged in biology, ornithology and acoustics. Using Cornell University's eBird reporting app
and Merlin data portal, local birders will work towards building country-specific data sets.
Planet Birdsong creates exciting educational games suitable for people of all ages and nationalities, to enhance
engagement with bird vocalisations. The games are populated by bird sound recordings selected to capture local variation
and accuracy. The initial objective is to collect around 50 relatively common species for the introductory game editions,
with additional species' sounds added in more advanced game editions.
The games app is designed to be fun and educational. Game app editions can be designed for:
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Schools and rural communities,
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Technical and high school education,
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Higher level students and researchers engaged in advancing natural sciences and applied computer science,
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Tourist guides and improving ornithologists, looking to increase their skills and service capacity.
We create lesson plans for primary, secondary and Technical and Vocational Education and Training colleges TVET, in
collaboration with James de Winter of Cambridge University Education Department.
Appropriate game editions can be disbursed to schools engaged in environmental education (Pre-loaded tablets may be
supplied). We will set local target numbers of children to be given access to the games over an annual programme and to
supply free access to downloads and support for senior students, adult and academic users.
Computer science students may benefit from a role in developing the games, using them as a model to expand their software
design and development skills.
The games can be a resource for the mobile environmental materials laboratories. Click
here to learn more about the games and
download some examples (currently android only).
