Help convert paper records to wonderful digitised records that can be mapped and analysed!
We have a lot of records on our database, over half a million, but there are still lots more records out there that haven't yet got on to the computer. If you can spare some time, enjoy doing data entry (yes, it can be enjoyable!), and have an eye for detail please let us know if you can help with any of these.
Summarise data from Brian Baker's "The Butterflies and Moths of Berkshire"
Brian Baker's 1994 book was a superb achievement, listing all the species known to have been found in the county and drawing together a wealth of information. However, the data that it was based on has never been computerised. It would be tempting to ask for volunteers to digitise all the records in the book, but quite apart from the enormous scale of such a task, it is not simply a matter of adding all the records. Some of the records in Brian's book are already on the database having been sent in direct by the recorders concerned; another chunk of records was digitised by the old Oxfordshire Biological Records Centre (but the information digitised doesn't always match what is in the book); and some of the records in the book are themselves summaries of records that were published in other books or articles. So it would be very difficult to disentangle which records in the book need adding to the database.
So we're taking a different approach as a first step to sorting this out. We would like to have a single record for each species that is listed in Brian's book, giving jut the bare minimum of information: is the species in the book or not, and if it is what is the year of the first record and the year of the last record. That's it, just three columns of data! We can share out the task among a number of people, and it shouldn't take too long to complete. Once this summary information is available, we can make a judgement over which species would benefit from having full record details extracted from the book.
If you're interested in helping to complete this summary all you need is a copy of Brian's book, and a copy of the spreadsheet we are using (see below). Full instructions can be provided (they are very simple!). If you don't have the book it may be possible to borrow one (and although out of print, copies are still available via online book stores). Please contact Martin Harvey direct or via our contact form if you might be able to help.
The spreadsheet for summarising the records - all you need to fill in are three columns on the right-hand side (click on image for larger size)
Help add records from recorders who don't have access to a computer
Some BMG members are already doing this, and it is much appreciated. If you can spare some time to enter records from others in the moth group who are unable to do so themselves please get in touch and we can link you up with someone who is seeking help. Records can be entered on iRecord or MapMate or onto spreadsheets.