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Header image: Laura Kloepper, Ph.D.

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Firetail 12 - new stuff

visualization, annotation, and analysis of GPS and tag sensor data - a tour of the latest version

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Thanks for sharing this! Tools like this are exactly what we're hoping users will add to The Inventory--a wiki-inspired database...
This would be a great addition to The Inventory! I've given your account special access already @tobiaspetri if you are interested. No need to sign up. I'll direct message...
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Snare detection technologies

Snares are a pervasive threat to wildlife around the world – indiscriminately killing hundreds of thousands of animals. Snares are notoriously hard to locate in the field...

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I’m very interested in this topic. I know the thread is a couple of years old, so I’m wondering if there have been any recent tech breakthroughs or new suggestions. 

I am interested in expanding our capability and understanding of snare detection by canines. We have two canines working in Asia that have successfully detected snares in training scenarios. However, final protocols for training and deployment are being developed and integrated into the team's capability. 

A potential enhancement is to add technology that supports the canine's detection capability.  

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Leveraging Actuarial Skills for Conservation Impact

Hello Wildlabs Community,I'm an experienced actuary with a deep passion for wildlife and conservation. With over 15 years in the insurance industry, I've honed my skills in data...

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Unveiling the Cicada Symphony: Seeking Support for Bioacoustics Research

🌿🎵 Calling all nature enthusiasts and conservation advocates! 🎵🌿 As an independent researcher, I'm exploring the mesmerizing world of cicada sounds using low-cost passive acoustic...

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If you're interested in a free, no-code ecoacoustic analysis platform for your data, check out Arbimon!

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BirdWeather | PUC

Hi Everyone,I just found out about this site/network!I wanted to introduce myself - I'm the CEO of a little company called Scribe Labs.  We're the small team behind...

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I love the live-stream pin feature!

Hi Tim, I just discovered your great little device and about to use it for the first time this weekend. Would love to be directly in touch since we are testing it out as an option to recommend to our clients :) Love that it includes Australian birds! Cheers Debbie

Hi @timbirdweather I've now got them up and running and winding how I can provide feedback on species ID to improve the accuracy over time. It would be really powerful to have a confirmation capability when looking at the soundscape options to confirm which of the potential species it actually is or confirm it is neither to help develop the algorithms.

Also, is it possible to connect the PUC to a mobile hotspot to gather data for device that isn't close to wifi? And have it so that it can detect either wifi or hotspot when in range? Thanks!

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Using citizen science image analysis to measure seabird phenology

Our new paper uses data from the citizen science project, Seabird Watch (hosted on the Zooniverse platform; seabirdwatch.org), to measure seabird phenology. Volunteers marked birds in time-lapse images to investigate arrival and departure to/from the breeding grounds.

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Now for Wildlife

Hello community, I wanted to share some exciting updates about my ongoing conservation project for endangered species. I post this here because you have been very supportive and I...

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Introducing Badges: A new WILDLABS feature!

We’re unveiling badges, a new feature that allows you to showcase how you’re involved in WILDLABS. Keep track of engagement, show off your collection, and maybe even engage in some friendly competition.

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So exciting, and so fun! What a nice idea to keep the community engaged!
I find it a great idea, but I hope it keeps the badge junkie in me from adding too much BS additions just to get the badge!How did you arrive to the achievement counts for the...
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Audiomoth Energy consuption estimates

Hi All,I'm conducting a biodiversity survey that includes a grid of audiomoths. I have 53 deployed, with the following schedule: 15 seconds every minute, 4:00-12:00, and 16:00-24:...

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Agree with the differences between microSD cards. I tested Sandisk Ultra, Samsung EVOplus, and some no-name cards I found myself in possession of. Unfortunately I did not have a logging device, but I watched what was happening on my multimeter. The µMoth with an Ultra was peaking at over double the current flow of the EVOplus. The no-name card was peaking at about the same as the EVOplus but had a near constant background drain that was not obvious with the other cards.

Apparently, cards of different sizes also use different amounts of power:

It would be great if someone with a data-logging multimeter could conduct a search to find the most power miserly cards out there, but it would be a constant search as card specifications are changing all the time. The Samsung EVOplus cards are no longer available, but I have no idea if Samsung has redesigned their cards or just rebranded them. Often manufacturers are going for the highest speeds rather than the most efficient card because most devices are using more power on sensors, screens, etc. so you barely notice a bit of surplus power going to the card.

I recently completed a survey using SongMeter minis and most units managed two weeks of nocturnal recording using eneloops and sandisk cards. But I had a couple of units that had only managed for or five nights so I redeployed with fresh batteries assuming we must have had some badly charged cells. After a week I went back to collect the units only to discover they had again gone for less than a week so this time I had some spare SM minis so I swapped the same cards into those with fresh batteries and redeployed again. After another week I went back and the same issue. We had sufficient data by now so I did not redeploy again but I concluded it was something about the SD cards that was causing the problem all along. If they were mine I would have tested them, but they went back to the owners with sticky labels describing the problem items.

@Hubertszcz you might also consider dropping your sample rate to 32, 16 or even 8 kHz. Do you actually have target species calling at frequencies over 16 kHz. Less data volume means fewer writes to the card. Also bear in mind that short audio bursts have storage and processing overheads compared with fewer longer bursts.

Is there an eco-battery? Well remember that half of the power you pump into a NiMH battery is lost as heat during charging. With correct charging, most types of rechargeable lithium batteries are only losing around 8 to 12 % as heat. Also with Lithium I don't think it is the mining as such that has to be destructive, rather the bad practice and corruption around some sources. A bigger concern is some components such as cobalt and nickel in those cells. LiFePO4 cells do not have the same concerns but they work at a lower voltage and I don't think you will find them in a size to fit an audioMoth case. Happy to be wrong about that though.

Hi Hubert,

There's been some research into which batteries are most effective with ARUs, and there's some results here: 

Battery quality can vary greatly, especially NiMh. Alkaline batteries can be largely recycled, reducing their environmental impact although being single use. The results above doesn't take into account SD card variation, but should hopefully be a good indication.

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