[ECO]NatureCounts Citizen Science Bird App Makes Conservation Accessible to Everyone

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A new citizen science bird app called NatureCounts helps volunteers and researchers track declining bird populations using smartphone technology instead of traditional paper methods.

Birds Canada and Punchcard Systems have launched a new

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called NatureCounts that makes it easier for scientists and volunteers to count and track bird populations. The app uses cutting-edge technology to replace old paper-based methods that have been used for decades to monitor which birds are thriving and which are struggling to survive.

The timing couldn’t be more critical. North America has lost nearly 3 billion birds since 1970 – about one in four birds that once lived on the continent. In Canada alone, more than one-third of all bird species have seen their numbers drop during the same *******, according to the 2024 State of Canada’s Birds Report.

Some of the most dramatic declines affect birds that people see every day. American Robins have dropped by 35 percent since 1970, while Evening Grosbeaks have plummeted by an alarming 92 percent. Even common backyard visitors like Dark-eyed Juncos have declined by 18 percent.

These disappearing birds matter more than most people realize. Birds eat insects that damage crops, pollinate plants, and spread seeds that help forests grow. When bird populations ******, it often signals that entire ecosystems are in trouble.

Catherine Jardine, Associate Director of Data Science and Technology at

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, explained the urgency behind this innovative citizen science bird app. “The conservation and research community needs tools that make their work faster and more effective to scale their impact. With the NatureCounts mobile app, we’re providing flexible, data-driven solutions that support everything from species-at-risk assessments to identifying Key Biodiversity Areas. By simplifying data collection and making it more intuitive, NatureCounts is helping conservationists save time, reduce costs, and accelerate progress toward reversing bird population declines.”
 — Catherine Jardine, Associate Director of Data Science and Technology, Birds Canada

The citizen science bird app focuses on something called point counts—a method that scientists have used for years to track bird populations. Traditional point counts require researchers to stand in one spot for a set amount of time, write down every bird they see or hear on paper forms, and then manually enter all that data into computers later. This process can take months and often leads to errors.

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Users can record their bird observations directly on their phones or tablets, even when they’re in remote areas with no cell phone service. Image via NatureCounts on the App Store.

The new app changes all of that. Users can record their bird observations directly on their phones or tablets, even when they’re in remote areas with no cell phone service. The app utilizes GPS technology to automatically record the exact location where each bird was spotted, and satellite images help users navigate to the exact locations for future surveys.

Sam Jenkins, Managing Partner at Punchcard Systems, emphasized how the technology supports rather than replaces traditional conservation work. This collaboration brought together deep field expertise and thoughtful technology design to strengthen traditional conservation methods.

Early results show NatureCounts is already making a difference. Test users have saved what would have been five years of manual data entry work. That freed-up time means scientists can spend more hours analyzing the information and figuring out how to help struggling bird species.

The app features several tools designed for fieldwork. Users can customize it to work with more than 80 different bird monitoring programs, from local community projects to international research studies. The offline functionality enables volunteers to collect data in national parks, remote forests, or other areas with limited internet connectivity.

Interactive maps help users plan routes and return to the same counting spots year after year. This consistency is crucial for scientific accuracy – researchers need to survey the exact locations repeatedly to track whether bird populations are growing, shrinking, or staying stable over time.

Tens of thousands of people across North America already participate in Birds Canada’s various citizen science programs. These volunteers range from retired birdwatchers to professional researchers, all contributing valuable data about local bird populations. The NatureCounts citizen science bird app makes it easier for more people to join these efforts.

Getting involved locally has never been easier thanks to this technology. Most communities have local Audubon Society chapters that organize regular bird walks and counting events. Many nature centers offer free bird identification workshops specifically designed for beginners who want to contribute to conservation efforts.

The app’s impact extends beyond just making data collection easier. More accurate and timely information helps conservation groups identify which bird species need immediate protection and which habitats require preservation. Government agencies use this data to make decisions about land use, environmental regulations, and funding for conservation programs.

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International conservation efforts also benefit from standardized data collection methods. The citizen science bird app NatureCounts supports global biodiversity monitoring standards, making it easier to compare bird population trends between different countries and regions.

Birds Canada and Punchcard Systems plan to continue improving the app throughout 2025 and beyond. Future updates may include additional features requested by users and support for tracking other types of wildlife beyond birds.

For ordinary people who care about wildlife, the NatureCounts app provides a meaningful way to contribute to bird conservation efforts. Users don’t need advanced scientific training – just the ability to identify common birds and follow simple counting procedures. Every observation adds to a growing database that helps researchers understand how to protect North America’s remaining bird populations.

The bird population crisis didn’t happen overnight, and solutions will take time to implement. But tools like this citizen science bird app give conservationists hope that better data collection can lead to more effective protection strategies before it’s too late for many struggling species.

Local involvement remains crucial for conservation success. Communities that actively monitor their bird populations through citizen science programs often become advocates for habitat protection and environmental policies that benefit wildlife.

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