A quick step-by-step guide to conducting field counts, managing observations offline, and tracking your life list using the ButterflyCounts Android app.
Download and install the official ButterflyCounts app on your Android device. Sign in with your account or use guest recording to get started.
Tap Start Butterfly Count on the main screen. The app will automatically acquire your GPS location. If GPS signal is weak, expand Manual coordinates to type or paste coordinates (smart parsing handles formats like 30.2373° N, 78.2099° E). Enter site name, weather conditions, and observer team details.
As you walk your count transect, search species by common name or scientific name (e.g. Tawny Coster, Common Mormon). Tap the + button to increment individual counts or open detail sheets to record notes.
View your personal Life List tab to track lifetime species sightings. The app dynamically calculates Shannon Diversity (H') and Simpson Index for every completed count session.
Field counts are stored safely on your phone's local database. When network connectivity is restored, your pending counts automatically sync to the server in the background.