r/eBird

*THIS APP USES INATURALIST API* I have been an avid hiker and nature enjoyer my whole life. One thing that always bothered me was how often I (and everyone else) would stop mid-hike to stare at a phone screen trying to identify a plant or bug.

Apps like iNaturalist are incredible, but using them in the field completely breaks your immersion in nature.

I wanted a way to learn what was around me before I went out. So, I put together (with AI) a widget-focused app called Verdant Vista. It hooks into the iNaturalist API and basically acts as a set of location-based digital flashcards on your home screen. It pulls the specific, seasonally relevant wildlife and plants for your exact area right now or a specific location you select in the settings.

The idea is that you passively learn the species throughout the week when you glance at your phone. Then, when you actually go on a walk, you can leave your phone in your pocket because you already recognize what you're looking at.

It’s completely free and no log in, on the Play Store if anyone wants to try out the widgets: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.verdant.vista&pcampaignid=web_share

Would love to hear from other hikers/foragers on whether this fits into your routine, or if there are specific widget sizes/layouts you'd prefer

I got an email flagging me for recordings being too short. Is it automatic or does somebody submit the complaint?

I do have a couple.. well.. I did… until that email. They were the only evidence I was able to use for reporting rare birds. They weren’t long because thats all I had from them. Leave it too long and it turns into a complaint about too many other species. It’s just like photos, uploading a low quality one verifies it but then that turns into another issue.

Idk. I‘m to the point that I don’t want to report rare birds or upload anything on there. I pulled my media so maybe that’ll fix it.