What it does
Tap to count
Pick a species and tap each bird. Every bird keeps its dot, so nothing is counted twice or missed. Zoom right in on dense ledges.
Counts by photo and species
One master CSV of photo, species and count, plus every dot's position so the counted photos can be redrawn or checked.
Time on each photo
Records how long each counter spends on each photo, adding up across sessions and pausing when they stop.
Private and offline
Photos and counts stay on the device. Nothing is uploaded to Merra. Once opened, it keeps working without a signal.
Running a survey with a team
- Set up the survey. On colony.merra.org, add a title, the species list, instructions and your photos. It makes a complete survey app in one zip.
- Publish it. Drag the zip onto a web host such as Netlify Drop to get a web address for it.
- Send the address. Counters open it, enter their name and count the same photos. On phones and tablets they can add it to the home screen.
- Combine the results. Counters press Save and send you their file. The survey builder merges them into one counts CSV and one time log.
Downloads
The same as colony.merra.org, to use without the internet. Double-click it in Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari.
The survey set-up page, the counter and the user guide.
Version v1.2.0. You can always use the latest version online at colony.merra.org. Questions, ideas or results to share: merra@merra.org.
Free to use, with acknowledgement
Merra Colony Counter is free for any purpose, including professional survey work. In return, please acknowledge it wherever its results appear:
Counts were made with Merra Colony Counter (Merra, https://merra.org).The licence in full
- Acknowledge Merra when counts, time logs or other results made with Merra Colony Counter appear in a report, publication, presentation, dataset or website.
- Keep the credit. Do not remove or hide the Merra name, logo, the link to merra.org or this licence from the app, the survey builder, or any copy you share or publish, including survey apps made with the survey builder.
- Say if you changed it. A changed version must say clearly that it has been modified, keep this licence, and not be presented as made, endorsed or supported by Merra.
The software is provided "as is", without warranty of any kind. Check counts that matter. Coastal Resources Management Group Ltd is not liable for any claim, damages or other liability arising from its use. Your photos, dots and counts stay on your device and are yours.