Countryside Bird Survey

Welcome

Welcome to the online CBS submission form. This form

• can be filled out using a computer, tablet or phone
• can be used to upload a photo or scan of the map (this is only needed if the route had to change from the route provided)
• accepts the relevant data on the Habitat Recording Form (green paper form) and the Field Recording Sheet (white paper form)
• does not need the Count Summary Sheet (yellow paper form) to be filled out

Saving a Draft

If you cannot complete the entire form in one sitting, you can use the Save button at the bottom of the screen to save what you have entered so far and then come back to it later. If you click Save, you can create a JotForm account if you wish but it is simpler to "Skip Create an Account". Depending on your instructions, JotForm can send you an email with a link to your partially completed form. That link can be used to resume editing from where you left off.

Keyboard Shortcuts

If using a computer, you might find it helpful to use keyboard shortcuts. These include the Tab button to jump to the next box or button on the form, Shift-Tab to jump to the previous, and the Spacebar to open a dropdown box, select an option or press a button. Quickly typing the two characters of a species code will jump to that species.

If you have any questions or issues regarding the form please contact the CBS Coordinator at alynch@birdwatchireland.ie. 

We hope you find this form a convenient way to submit your valuable data.

It is important to know the transect route for each CBS square.

If your transect route did not change from the route on the map issued to you, you can skip this part of the form - please click Next to proceed to the next screen.

If your transect route did change from the route on the map issued to you, please mark the updated transect route on your paper map, numbering all ten transect sections. If your devices support it, we invite you to use the options below to take a photo of your updated map, or to upload a scan of your updated map. Alternatively, you can email a copy of the updated map to alynch@birdwatchireland.ie, or post it to Andrew Lynch at BirdWatch Ireland, Unit 20, Block D, Bullford Business Campus, Kilcoole, Greystones, Co. Wicklow, A63 RW83.

 

For the first visit please supply the habitat codes for all transect sections. There is a special Level 1 code "Not counted in CBS" if the Transect Section is not included in the CBS count for some reason. Keyboard shortcuts include the Tab button to jump to the next box or button on the form, Shift-Tab to jump to the previous, and the Spacebar to open a dropdown box or press a button.

If adding a Second Habitat for a Transect Section please don't forget to select the relevant Level 1 code.

Please supply all of the habitat codes for any transect sections that had a major change in habitat since the previous visit. Keyboard shortcuts include the Tab button to jump to the next box or button on the form, Shift-Tab to jump to the previous, and the Spacebar to open a dropdown box or press a button.

Some people find the following approach helpful:

• First add empty rows, one for each species recorded in the Transect Section
• Then select the first row species:
  • Quickly typing two characters jumps to that species e.g. WR to Wren
  • Typing W and R more slowly will jump to the first W, then to the first R
  • Typing W W W W slowly will cycle through all the W species.
• Then use Tab button (above the Caps Lock button) to move to the appropriate distance column, and type in the total count of adult birds seen in that distance.
• When finished for that species use Tab to jump to the next row and repeat.
• If needs be use the "X" button to remove an unnecessary row.

Species that are not in the dropdown box can be added at the bottom of the page.

Other keyboard shortcuts include Shift-Tab to jump to the previous box, and the Spacebar to open a dropdown box or press a button.

Some people find the following approach helpful:

• First add empty rows, one for each species recorded in the Transect Section
• Then select the first row species:
  • Quickly typing two characters jumps to that species e.g. WR to Wren
  • Typing W and R more slowly will jump to the first W, then to the first R
  • Typing W W W W slowly will cycle through all the W species.

• Then use Tab button (above the Caps Lock button) to move to the appropriate distance column, and type in the total count of adult birds seen in that distance.
• When finished for that species use Tab to jump to the next row and repeat.
• If needs be use the "X" button to remove an unnecessary row.

Species that are not in the dropdown box can be added at the bottom of the page.

Other keyboard shortcuts include Shift-Tab to jump to the previous box, and the Spacebar to open a dropdown box or press a button.

The next page allows you to Review all of your answers.

At the bottom of the Review Answers page you must click Submit to submit your data.