Manual Counting device

[Ouzel]

Hi

I'm off to do some (hopefully) high-volume seawatching in the next couple of weeks. A friend mentioned that he had met some guys using handheld counting devices to record migrating seabirds - I think they were counting in 50's a click (though presumably, number per click is configurable). Theywere using several devices, one device per species. Must be nice to be somewhere where you need to use such an approach !

Does anyone know what these devices are called and where one can get hold of them.

Thanks in advance,

[scampo]

Here's one for under a tenner - a tally counter. Seems a very good idea!


http://www.yorksurvey.co.uk/products/prods2/counter/tally.htm

[Ouzel]

Steve / Brian

Great - thanks. Have just checked and found a local outlet and will get some tomorrow. Just in time to leave on Thursday for a couple of weeks birding - hopefully I'll get the chance to put them to good use !

cheers

[scampo]

I have seen them used but it was a while back. I usually just count a smallish group then multiply up to the rough total number of such groups in the flock.

[alcedo.atthis]

Hi

They were using several devices, one device per species.

If you get 2 or 3 or even more, spray them different colours. It makes it easier for different species use.

Malky

[Swift]

Flamborough is the place , Brett Richards uses about 10 at once , he has them sut up on boards of five and tallys one board with each hand, this way he records different species and he can count the different directions they are going in , ie left set for North etc