Finished! Looks like this project is out of data at the moment!
A new batch of photos from July 2025 is live! Please read through our July 2025 Update on the "Announcement" discussion board under "Talk". This information is now on the "About" tab under "FAQ" as well. Happy classifying, and thanks for your help everyone!
Also, this project recently migrated onto Zooniverse’s new architecture. For details, see here.
FAQ
Q: Why do most photos lack wildlife?
A: The cameras are set to take photos every 5 minutes. It is very unlikely that birds will use the shoreline we are viewing that often.
Q: Do I need to have experience identifying birds to help?
A: No! Just do your best and use the uploaded photos and descriptions to help you. I will review the photos myself to ensure proper classification as well.
Q: How do I classify a car when I see one in a photo?
A: Ignore cars completely when making classifications. I am not interested in the presence of cars in photos. Do not classify a photo as having humans in it just because you see a car in the photo.
Q: What is this data being used for?
A: This data is informing us on how birds use the shorelines before and after living shoreline construction. This data is required by the grant that funded this project. Also, this information is critical for the Air Force Base close by that is concerned with bird air strike hazards. In addition, the data is important because I will be basing my master's thesis on bird usage of different shoreline types.
Q: What if a bird I am seeing is not listed on the choices provided?
A: Select the "Other" choice and I will review the picture myself to identify the bird.
Q: Where were these images taken?
A: The pictures were taken in the Back Bay of Biloxi which is located on the gulf coast of Mississippi.
Q: Will this data be published?
A: Yes, I plan to write peer-reviewed publications with the results from this study.
RECENT FAQ UPDATES (as of July 2025):
Q: Should I rush through images or take my time?
A: Take your time! Some wildlife blends into the background, like a bird tucked among rocks, a raccoon in the water, or a distant goose. Slowing down and scanning carefully helps catch unusual details that might otherwise be missed. Accuracy is always more valuable than speed.
Q: When should I use hashtags?
A: Use hashtags thoughtfully. They are most helpful when used for queries, clear images of birds, or to highlight interesting behaviors. Too many unrelated hashtags make review harder, so keep them focused.
Q: What exactly should I hashtag?
A: Please only hashtag:
-Interesting images (e.g., species flying, with young, or interacting)
-Very clear images of birds that will help others with identification
-Less common species such as clapper rail, osprey, kingfisher, coot, or otter (only if you are sure of the identification)
If you are unsure about an identification, do not hashtag. Instead, post the image for discussion so other volunteers can advise.
Q: Should I hashtag Canada geese and raccoons?
A: No — please avoid over-tagging very common species like Canada geese and raccoons.
Q: Should I hashtag humans or boats?
A: No. There’s no need to hashtag humans or boats. But please keep classifying them when they appear, since this context helps us understand human–wildlife interactions.
Q: Are animal tracks worth tagging?
A: Yes! Shoreline tracks are very valuable. They show how animals use the shoreline even when the species isn’t visible. In the last batch, we had over 300 great examples of raccoon and otter tracks — keep watching for them. I will go through and classify tracks myself later on to supplement this data, so don't worry if you aren't sure what tracks they are.
Q: Why is discussion important?
A: The Talk boards are one of the best parts of the project. Sharing observations leads to discoveries of new species, helps confirm tricky IDs, and creates opportunities to learn together. Discussion strengthens the dataset and makes the project more fun — so please join in!
Q: What’s next for the project?
A: We’re summarizing current findings and will share an update soon.A full list of bird species seen so far will also be shared. After this July photos batch, we’ll begin our second workflow, which will focus on identifying each bird. Stay tuned! That should begin September 2025.