March 2012 End Statistics:

March 2012 is now our highest total month so far with 18 more than October 2011.

It is also our highest month for Invertebrates. Birds have taken a dip this month, with most other groups being fairly average.

At present we have achieved, expressed as observations per species -

mammals: 1.1
amphibians and reptiles: 0.84
birds: 0.81
plants: 0.34
fish: 0.03
invertebrates: 0.02
fungi: 0.001

So we already have more observations than species for mammals.

April End Statistics:

April 2012 is now our highest total month so far with 435 more than March 2012. We were just 70 short of 2000 observations for the month.

It is also our highest month for Invertebrates (315) and Plants (1329) and Fungi and Lichens (79). Most other groups being fairly average.

At present we have achieved, expressed as observations per species -

mammals: 1.2
amphibians and reptiles: 0.97
birds: 0.90
plants: 0.40
fish: 0.03
invertebrates: 0.03
fungi: 0.002

So we already have more observations than species for mammals.
We are 200 observations short of the number of species in the Cape Flora, 20 short of the number of species of Reptiles and Amphibians in s Afr and 90 short of the number of birds.

As we don't have a "Like" button - just to record appreciation for stats update

May statistics

graphs 19/5/2012

(12/5/2012)

We have exceeded the number of Amphibians and Reptiles.
We have exceeded the number of Plants in the Cape Flora.
Birds are looking very good and maybe we will break the record of 100 observations per month for birds. We are 30 observations short of equaling the number of bird species (956).
Fungi are looking very good.

We are on target to smash 2000 observations for the month for the first time: please keep the data rolling in ...

(17/5/2012)

Our number of observations stands at over 14 214 - 786 short of 15 000 observations.

Will we make 15 000 before the launch in June?
Or will we bust the barrier before May end?

Quick projections of expected totals for the month based on so far (on 17 May):
* birds 150 - on track for record
* inverts 430 - on track for record
* amphibians & reptiles 110 on track for record
* mammals 36: not doing very well with mammals - best was August 2011 with 67
* plants 1500 - on track for record
* fungi & lichens 100 - on track for record

Update 19 May:
+ 3 short of record for fungi for a month;
+ 8 short of target: bird observations = number of species;
+ 200 observations to go for 10 000 plant observations;
+ 1000 plants exceeded for month: currently third highest total;
+ 500 observations short of 2000 observations for the month;
+ 640 to go for 15 000 observations;
+ 1060 to go for 20 000 agreements;
+ 1450 to go for 30 000 images; &
+ 2960 determinations to go for 20 000 determinations.

Please keep up the sterling effort.

Update 30 May 23h15: Briefly, we are -
+ 57 over the previous record for fungi for a month;
+ 74 over our target: bird observations = number of species;
+ 256 observations over our target for 10 000 plant observations;
+ 1485 plants for month: new monthly record and 15 short of 1500 for month;
+ 360 observations over our target of 2000 observations for the month;
+ 167 over 15 000 observations;
+ 213 over 20 000 agreements;
+ 171 over 30 000 images; &
+ 1920 determinations to go for 20 000 determinations.
This is our highest monthly for birds, invertebrates, amphibians & reptiles, and plants. Only for fish and mammals is this the second best month so far.

Final monthly posting in 24 hours: watch this space!
And thanks for a brilliant effort!

Summary:
May End statistics

We have exceeded the number of Amphibians and Reptile species.
We have exceeded the number of Plant species in the Cape Flora.
We have exceeded 10 000 Plant species.
We have exceeded 1 500 Plant records in a month.
We have exceeded the number of Bird species.

Highest records so far per month in:
Amphibians & Reptiles
Birds,
Fungi & Lichens,
Invertebrates,
Plants,
and overall at 2403 observations for May.

We have exceeded
* 15 000 observations;
* 20 000 agreements;
* 30 000 images.

All in all - not a bad month

June statistics

( as at 10 June )

Still early in the month with our launch and Kenilworth Bioblitz ahead of us.
Nothing remarkable in the monthly figures so far.
* However we are 243 observations short of half way as many plant observations as species.
* Fungi and Lichen have now exceeded the number of mammal observations for the first time.
* Fish are 11 short of 100 observations.
* Some 60 observations to go for 16 000.

( as at 17 June )

Some excellent photographs for the launch and bioblitz: thank you everyone!
We have 891 users - 9 more for 900.
Fungi have already just exceeded their monthly record of 140 by 1.
We have exceeded in observations half of the plant species in s Afr.
Already only April and May have higher monthly totals.

( as at 23 June - latest graphs)

We are at the highest monthly total for
* fungi (175)
and second highest for (current, record)
* birds (120, 170)
* amphibians and reptiles (91, 94)
* plants (1425, 1520)
Invertebrates are at the fifth position by month so far, projected to reach second position with 90 short of last months total.
Mammals are in third position with 2 more need to get into second position at 48, but unlikely to exceed Augusts total of 67.

We have 17 300 observations to date with 2110 for the month, just 300 short of last months record: projections suggest that we will comfortably break the 2500 observations per month barrier!

Fantastic work all!

(Midnight 26 June)
* 200 Fungi & Lichen reached for the month - higher than everything except inverts and plants.
* 99 Amphibia - a new monthly record and 1 more needed for 100 for month.
* Mammals need 5 to break our previous record (August)
* New monthly record for plants!
(What has happened to invertebrates - too cold?)
* 175 observations needed to break our target of 2500 per month (and 80 needed to set a new monthly record)

(27 June am)
2500 monthly barrier gone! well done!
101 Reptiles and Amphibians for the month - great!
3 more mammals to go to break previous record.

(27 June pm)
2600 barrier gone! Fantastic!
Monthly record for Mammals bust: 68
5 more birds to go to break previous record (last month)
172 to go for 18 000 observations!

(29 June pm)
birds gone.
1900 records this month for plants!
2700 record for observations per month gone!
2800 record for observations per month gone!
18 000 observations reached!

WOW!

2.5 hours to go.

Will we make
2000 plant observations for the month: 15 to go!
250 fungi and lichen observations for the month: 1 to go!

tally at midnight:
2974 observations for the month (26 short of 3000)
1994 plant observations for the month (6 short of 2000)
more than 250 (253) fungi observations for the month

June end statistics

* Fungi and Lichen have now exceeded the number of mammal observations for the first time.
* We have exceeded in observations half of the plant species in s Afr.

Highest monthly total so far for
* fungi and lichens (253 - previous 141)
* birds (182, 170)
* amphibians and reptiles (115, 94)
* plants (1994, 1518 ~ 6 short of 2000)
* mammals (69, 67)

Invertebrates at 345 - second highest monthly tally (last month 415).

2974 observations for the month (26 short of 3000, but previous high was 2403)

18 000 observations reached! (18 168)

A Brilliant Effort: thanks all.

July statistics

08 July

1000 Observers.
19 000 Observations.
The first user to exceed disc quota limits: limits raised.

Too early to predict, but all on track to beat records in most groups.

22 July
(date of graphs!)

20 000 Observations GREAT!
Still on track to equal or beat all records.

Detailed statistics posted at http://ispot.org.za/node/156602

27 July

Achievements:
* 25 000 determinations! Well done!
* 13 over a new monthly record for Fungi & Lichens

3 days to go to month end. At present we are:
* 6 short of a new record for Mammals
* 24 short of a new record for Amphibians and Reptiles
* 36 short of a new record for Birds
* 85 short of a new record for Plants
* 100 short of 21 000 records so far
* 178 short of a new monthly record
* 202 short of a record of 3000 observations in a month

How many of these targets might we shatter.

Insects are a bit down: wonder why?

29 July

Achievements:
* 100 - a new record for Mammals
* 21 000 Observations : Great stuff!

2 days to go to month end. At present we are:

* 11 short of 300 Fungi and Lichens for the month
* 22 short of a new record for Amphibians and Reptiles
* 26 short of a new record for Birds
* 29 short of a new record for Plants
* 35 short of 2000 plants for the month
* 43 short of a new monthly record
* 44 short of a total of 1000 Fungi and Lichen observations
* 66 short of a record of 3000 observations in a month

30 July

Achievements:
* 2 over 2000 plants for the month
* 6 over a new monthly record for Plants
* 47 over 3000 observations per month

with 1 day to go we are:

* 3 short of a new record for Birds
* 5 short of 300 Fungi and Lichens for the month
* 17 short of a new record for Amphibians and Reptiles
* 40 short of a total of 1000 Fungi and Lichen observations

July end statistics:

1000, 1111 Observers (1121).

19 000, 20 000 Observations !!! 21 000 (21 360).

25 000 Determinations.

Monthly records:
* mammals (104)
* birds (185)
* fungi and lichens (300)
* plants (2103)

Monthly new targets met:
* mammals (4 over 100)
* fungi and lichens ( exactly 300)
* plants (103 over 2000)

Fantastic work: well done everyone !!!

for the interesting info!

August statistics

(10 August):

1146 Users

21 602 Observations
26 044 Determinations
31 575 Agreements

26% of users been active in last month
37% of users have added an observation
26% of users have added an agreement

18 observations short of 1000 Fungi and Lichens.

(29 August):

1271 Users

23 256 Observations
28 227 Determinations
35 169 Agreements

No records in sight, except

1 more mammal needed for 2 observations per mammal species.

30 August:

Out of the blue mammals have come and smashed their monthly record: 104 observations for the month.

August end statistics:

Running totals:

1276 Observers.

23 636 Observations.
28 645 Determinations.
35 944 Agreements.
48 468 Images.

Monthly records:
* mammals (131)
* other (6)
* Mammals: 2 observations per species.

2nd highest: Amphibians and Reptiles
3rd highest: Birds; Plants

Well Done all

I am sure everyone is out in the field snapping all the Spring flowers ... I have a huge backlog of photos to post, if I can only find time!

September current statistics

(graphs 23 September at 20h00)

The first day of spring 2012.
Today we got:
37 plants
15 amphibians and reptiles (13 Western Leopard Toads)
8 invertebrates
3 birds
1 other
0 fungi or mammals.
=64 observations.

From:
25 western Cape
18 southern Cape
10 Namibia
6 Gauteng
4 India
1 KZNatal &
1 Kruger
(yes = 65).

Just out of interest!

Happy Spring!

.

06: September NEWSFLASH:

Welcome to user 1300 and observation 24 000 (see http://ispot.org.za/node/156602 for details).
But things brings us to a cusp which we should hit within the next week or so.

921 observations from 25 000,
779 determinations from 30 000,
546 images from 50 000.

These are big milestones, so will be NEWS ITEMs when they happen, but you can follow progress weekly here! It is not easy to determine the determinations and images, but we will do a countdown here to observation 25000! Keep watching!

24 100: on Thursday 06 September 2012 at 6:59 pm with Marion Maclean's observation of Cineraria - Montagu WCape at Pietersfontein, Montagu WCape. 900 to go!

24 200: on Friday 07 September 2012 at 20:18 with Marion Maclean's observation of Ehrharta - Montagu WCape at Pietersfontein, Montagu WCape. 800 to go!

09 September:
If data continue at the rate so far we will break records for birds and mammals this month. Other groups are well below par. Hopefully everyone is out and enjoying the spring flower displays.

1312 users

24 262 observations
29 555 determinations
37 137 agreements
49 881 images

12% of users have visited iSpot last week
27% of users have visited iSpot last month

37% of users have added an observation
34% of users have added a determination
26% of users have added an agreement

24 300: on Sunday 09 September 2012 at 14:44 with Janeen Nichols' observation of Leucospermum conocarpodenron at M65, Table Mountain National Park. 700 to go!

50 000 images at about 15h00 on Sunday 09 September 2012

24 400: on Monday 10 September 2012 at 03:20 with tony rebelo's observation of Shafttail Whydah at Nossob R - Nossob to Kwang. 600 to go!

24 500: on Monday 10 September 2012 at 14:58 with Margaret's observation of Moraea versicolor at Houwhoek Mtns near Houwhoek Inn. 500 to go!

24 600: on Monday 10 September 2012 at 21:20 with Alexander's observation of Spider at Traveller's Rest, Cedarberg. 400 to go!

30 000 determinations at about 16h00 on Tuesday 11 September 2012

24 700: on Wednesday 12 September 2012 at 02:03 with Janeen Nichols'observation of Trachyandra at M65, Table Mountain National Park. 300 to go!

24 800: on Thursday 13 September 2012 at 14:06 with Brian KD2's observation of Lark-like Bunting at Sossusvlei Reserve. 200 to go!

Birds equal their monthly record! 185 observations for month on Thursday 13 September 2012 at 15h56 with Kwartel

Plants observations attain 75% of the number of species in s Afr on Friday 14 September 2012

24 900: on Friday 14 September 2012 at 21:27 with Loraine van den Berg's observation of Boscia albitrunca with Pappea capensis and Drosanthemum hispidum carpet at R336, Kirkwood. 100 to go!

25 000 Observations:

25 000 Observations on Saturday 15th September 2012 at 20:50 with lize von staden's observation of No bananas on this one at Umtamvuna NR Beacon Hill.

16 September:

Birds: 24 higher than previous monthly total.

If data continue at the rate so far we will break records for mammals this month. Amphibians are poised to just break their monthly record.
Other groups are well below par, with invertebrates projected to get 5 highest to date, plants fourth highest and fungi third highest.
Overall we a projected to post the third highest total for a month.

Hopefully everyone is out and enjoying the spring flower displays and participating in the Bioblitzes and will soon send in their data.

11pm Running totals:

1361 Observers.

25 060 Observations.
30 611 Determinations.
39 060 Agreements.
51 668 Images.

40 000 agreements at about 20h00 on Thursday 20 September 2012

23 September:

So far only birds have exceeded the monthly record to date. And in style! The projection is that birders will double their previous record!

Mammals are 10 short of their monthly record.

Amphibians are predicted to just exceed their previous record.

Plants, Invertebrates and Fungi should post their third highest monthly totals.
Overall we are still projected to post the third highest total for a month.

User 1400 at 12h30 23 September was spam and deleted.

User 1400 is Ronel Kruger. Welcome Ronel.

September end statistics:

Running totals:

1445 Observers.

26 894 Observations.
32 895 Determinations.
42 443 Agreements.
55 594 Images.

Monthly records:
* 3 261 observations - our highest monthly total (97 more than previous high)
* 452 birds (more than double previous 185)
* 191 mammals (previous 131)
Invertebrates 2 highest (367), Amphibians 2 highest (108), Plants 3 highest (43 short of 2000), Fungi & Lichens 3 highest (177).

Both birds and mammals now have an average of 2 observations per species, and plants are 81% of s Afr. species.

October statistics:

27 000: on Tuesday 01 October 2012 at 22h17 with Janeen Nichols' observation of Serruria villosa at M65, Table Mountain National Park.

Observer 1500: Oceanviewer on 6 October. Welcome Oceanviewer.

6 October :

Data income this month is quite impressive. Projections are the plants, birds and amphibians & reptiles will break records this month, although it is a little early to be certain.

Some 11.3 people joined iSpot per day last week. Welcome all - we look forward to exploring our biodiversity with you.

What an amazing weekend everyone has had (except me: Tick Bite Fever! - but great to see all the pics!).

Some stats (8 Oct 22h00) of the totals and tallies, showing just how great a weekend it has been:

1 525 users

27 964 observations
34 369 determinations
45 158 agreements
57 750 images

with

users accessed iSpot in the last 30 days: 28.64%
users accessed iSpot in the last week: 14.88%
users added an observation: 36.30%
users added an determination: 33.88%
users added an agreement: 25.49%

28 000 observations: on Tuesday 09 October 2012 at 11h40 with Andrew Hankey's observation of Senecio coronatus at 2, Marcela St.

35 000 determinations and 46 000 agreements and 59 000 images all nearly simultaneously at been 21h30 and 21h45 on Thursday 11 October. Unfortunately, one cannot work out who the users were (or if they might almost have been one user or one observation), but many thanks to all.

13 October :

* Birds are 6 short from the second highest monthly total to date.
* Mammals have reached an average of 3 observations per species and are 7 observations short of 1000.
* Plants are 760 short of 10 000 observations.

Several users have also hit milesstones:
Nicky 5000 points http://ispot.org.za/node/163873
Judd Kirkel 2000 http://ispot.org.za/node/164241
jacquesvdmerwe 1000 http://ispot.org.za/node/165247

1 000 Mammal observations: on Monday 15 October 2012 at 16h08 with PeterRWarren's observation of Blue Wildebeest at Umngeni Nature Reserve, Howick.

29 000 observations: on Tuesday 16 October 2012 at 13h18 with koosclaassens' observation of Crassula ericoides at 1, Mauritz Rd.

Observer 1600: Dimela on 18 October. Welcome Dimela.

Countdown to 20 000 plant observations and 90% of the s Afr flora
19 700 @ 10h00 on 19 October http://ispot.org.za/node/166237 - with Pienkkoringblommetjie - Lapeirousia anceps by jacquesvdmerwe
19 800 @ 22h29 on 19 October http://ispot.org.za/node/166368 - with Nylsvley Asteraceae by Joan Faiola

90% observations to s Afr flora: http://ispot.org.za/node/166378 @ 23h53 on 19 October with Dalbergia by Suvarna_PB

20 October :

2nd highest monthly total to date: birds (243)
3rd highest monthly total to date: plants (1979)
4th highest monthly total to date: mammals (84)
21 observations short of 2000 plants for the month

Countdown to 20 000 plant observations of the s Afr flora continued ...

19 900 @ 10h19 on 21 October http://ispot.org.za/node/166504 with Felicia muricata Nylsvley by Joan Faiola

20 000 @ 23h06 on 21 October http://ispot.org.za/node/166637 with Cussonia paniculata var paniculata by Nicky

22 October 10am: plants exceed 2200 observations for month (previous best: 2103), bringing total observations for month to 3000 (July and Sept still top this!))
Still 8 days to go ...

Countdown to 22 000 plant observations = number of plant taxa in region!
Watch this space!
(predicted date (on 20 Oct) 25 November)

91%: http://ispot.org.za/node/166659 @ 00h15 on 22 October with Blombush by tony rebelo

30 000 observations: on Monday 22 October 2012 at 08h48 with vynbos's observation of Shy Watsonia at R43, Ceres on the Romansrivier Bioblitz.

92%: http://ispot.org.za/node/167046 @ 05h14 on 25 October with Erica syngenesia brenda by outramps

93%: http://ispot.org.za/node/167385 @ 09h46 on 27 October with Ink plant aka Mushroom / Hankerchief Flower (Cycnium adonense) by PeterRWarren

20500 plants: http://ispot.org.za/node/167446 @ 02h01 on 28 October with Common Sugarbush or isiQalaba (Xhosa) by Sandile

29 October :

Purposefully no stats this weekend as we want to see what happens if no graphs are given. But herewith a brief summary (9am Monday):
* Plants are 600 over previous monthly record and 221 short of 3000 observations for the month
* Invertebrates: 3 over 400, 12 short of previous monthly record
* Amphibians & Reptiles: 5 short of 100, 19 short of previous monthly record
* Birds: 4 short of 400, 56 short of previous monthly record
* Mammals are 10 short of 2nd highest monthly record and 70 short of previous monthly record
* Fungi & Lichens are 5 short of 200, and 104 short of previous monthly record

Only invertebrates (in addition to plants) are predicted to set a new monthly record at this stage, based on observation rates. But all are predicted to reach over their "round numbers." Many thanks, and you welcome to prove the projections wrong!
Plants are also projected to almost reach 95% - 294 to go! Can we do it by month end?
What can we do about fish? Any ideas?

Afternoon:
4000 Observations per month! (previous best 3257)

50 000 Agreements at about 18h50.

Countdown to 22 000 plant observations = number of plant taxa in region!
Watch this space!
(predicted date (on 29 Oct) 15 November)

94%: http://ispot.org.za/node/167708 @ 16h41 on 27 October with Crossandra by lize von staden

95%: http://ispot.org.za/node/167976 @ 08h15 on 31 October with Gifberg rock daisy by magrietb

October end statistics:

Running totals:

1671 Observers.

31 273 Observations.
38 331 Determinations.
50 802 Agreements.
64 953 Images.

Monthly records:

* Plants: 3 073 observations this month - 30 short of 1000 more than any previous month;
* Invertebrates: 431 observations - 16 higher than previous;
* Birds: 7 short of previous record last month;
* Amphibians and Reptiles: 6 short of previous record in June, and equaling last two months totals;

* Monthly total: 4398 observations - over 1140 more than any previous month.

Movember statistics:

(November current graphs as at 18 November)

Countdown to 22 000 plant observations = number of plant taxa in region!
Watch this space!
(predicted date (on 29 Oct) 15 November)

21 000 plant Observations: http://ispot.org.za/node/168166 @ 22h22 on 01 November with Ursinia dentata by Jeff

1700 Observers: Welcome candicemwc. Hope you enjoy iSpot!

96%: http://ispot.org.za/node/168430 @ 10h24 on 05 November with Romulea rosea by Vats

.

05 November:

Amphibians break the monthly record already, at 134 observations, thanks largely to a download of "Upload your Toads" from a defunct SANBI link. This means the Western Leopard Toad with 246 observations is our most recorded species to date by far!

.

Latest Observations for tag WLT Monitoring

*-*WLT Monitoring*-*

Countdown to 22 000 plant observations continued

97%: http://ispot.org.za/node/168785 @ 12h20 on 06 November with Herb in Bushveld by Leigh-Ann

21 500 Plant Observations: http://ispot.org.za/node/169044 @ 21h34 on 07 November with Smicrostigma (vygie) - Montagu WCape by Marion Maclean

98%: http://ispot.org.za/node/169130 @ 15h21 on 08 November with Kraalpendoring-Gymnosporia polyacantha by marselvdm

* 53 000 Agreements at 16h45 8 November.
* 67 000 Images at 10h40 9 November.
* 40 000 Determinations at midnight 10/11 November.

11 November update:

Apart from Amphibians and Reptiles with their record already broken for the month, observations are coming in nicely at the mean rate of 108 a day.
Plants (at 64 a day) are projected to hit 22 000 observations in 6 days time.
At current rates Invertebrates are predicted to smash previous monthly records, but no other groups will come close.
What has happened to birds and mammals?

Countdown to 22 000 plant observations continued
(predicted date (on 11 Oct) 16 November)

99%: http://ispot.org.za/node/169491 @ 15h10 on 12 November with Orphium frutescens in 57, Oester St by koosclaassens

99.1%: http://ispot.org.za/node/169536 @ 21h28 on 12 November with Chaenostoma foetidum in Baviaanskloof by Nicky

99.2%: http://ispot.org.za/node/169562 @ 06h42 on 13 November with Brunia noduliflora dt in Camferskloof in the Outeniquas by outramps

99.3%: http://ispot.org.za/node/169593 @ 11h41 on 13 November with Scolopia zeyheri in Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden by Andrew Hankey

99.4%: http://ispot.org.za/node/169622 @ 16h03 on 13 November with flowers growing on rock in R56, Richmond by Ihlukwe School

99.5%: http://ispot.org.za/node/169647 @ 18h51 on 13 November with Karoochloa? grass - Montagu WCape in Rooihoogtepas, NW of Montagu, WCape by Marion Maclean

99.6%: http://ispot.org.za/node/169673 @ 20h17 on 13 November with Plunky erica - Montagu WCape in Rooihoogtepas, NW of Montagu, WCape by Marion Maclean

99.7%: http://ispot.org.za/node/169710 @ 07h56 on 14 November with Dischisma ciliatum dt in Dune Molerat Reserve by outramps

99.8%: http://ispot.org.za/node/169738 @ 13h37 on 14 November with Stoebe alopecuroides in Krakeel, EC by adriaan_grobler

99.9%: http://ispot.org.za/node/169738 @ 16h10 on 14 November with Moraea bituminosa in Silvermine (Nature Reserve), Cape Town by saxicola

100% - 22 000 Plant records:
OUR 22 000 PLANT RECORD:
http://ispot.org.za/node/169798 @ 18h53 on 14 November with Romulea hantamensis in On top of the Hantam, Calvinia by Alan Horstmann

Countdown to 22 000 Plant Observations:
*-*Plant22000*-*

33 000 Observations: http://ispot.org.za/node/169847 at 16h45 8 on 14 November with African Darter by Janeen Nichols

53 000 Agreements on 15 November.

1800 Observers on 16 November: Welcome jnsteyn. You arrive at an exciting time on iSpot. Enjoy it!

33 333 Observations - one third of 100 000 Observations:
by Joan Faiola http://ispot.org.za/node/170189 @ 18h08 on 16 November with Ground horned velvet spider at Tranquility Farm near Walkerville.

17 November update:

What a difference a night makes! Last night we had 120 bird observations for the month, with no sign of even getting close to any records, and this morning we have 219 observations: thanks rstewartb! Many thanks.
The stats at present are:
* Amphibians and Reptiles are almost double (208) the previous monthly record (114).
* Birds are already their 3 highest monthly total.
* Fish are at their third highest monthly total.

Projections are that Invertebrates will also break the monthly record, and that for most groups the monthly total will be in the top 3rd or 4th place.

70 000 images with http://ispot.org.za/node/170637 - on 18 November: thanks Andrewm

20 November:
in the last 24 hours we have attained -

* 34 000 Observations with http://ispot.org.za/node/170870 with Barbwire Butterbush by tony rebelo at Around Perdekloof campsite Rooiwerf2
* 42 000 Determinations
* 57 000 Agreements

* 35 000 Observations with http://ispot.org.za/node/171597 on 26th November 2012 with Weedy flower by Lizzie at Moreleta Kloof Municipal Nature Reserve, Moreletapark

Monthend Movember statistics:

Amphibians & Reptiles: 252 observations :: more than double previous monthly total.
Invertebrates: 574 observations :: new monthly record - 140 higher than previous!
Plants: 2418 observations - second highest monthly total.
Birds: 322 observations - third highest monthly total.
Fungi & Lichens: 233 - third highest monthly total.
Mammals: 105 observations - 4th highest monthly total
Fish: 17 - must do something about this group.

Users: 1 918
Observations: 35 375
Determinations: 43 796
Agreements: 60 766
Images: 73 711

About 12% of users have used iSpot this week, and 26% in the last month.
36% of users have added an observation.

Milestones:
Marion Maclean 3 000 social points with 680 plants and 230 invertebrates to date. Not to forget 1700 ID's made and 3700 agreements made. Well done! A fantastic achievement. Talk about putting Montagu on the map!!

December statistics:

36 000 Observations on Wednesday 05 December 2012 at 07h34 with Frans Noltee's observation of Euphorbia clandestina at 3de Ave, De Rust.

75 000 Images with http://ispot.org.za/node/172852 on 05 December

45 000 Determinations on 08 December.

.

10 December

Still early in the month, but observations averaging 130 per day - no sign yet of the usual Xmas lull.

At this rate we will set new monthly records for birds and invertebrates, with only plants and fungi not set to get close to the monthly records.

Lesser milestones are
* 56 to go to 3000 bird observations,
* 198 to go to 5000 invertebrate observations,
* 223 to go to 2000 fungi & lichen observations,
and
* 885 to go to 25 000 plant observations

65 000 Agreements on 12 December.

37 000 Observations on Wednesday 12 December 2012 at about 18h30 with tony rebelo's observation of Thorny Tree at Otter Trail: day 3 Jan Swarts to Lottering River.

First species to reach 333 Observations : 13 December - with Western Leopard Toad at 19, Frogmore Rd.

2000 Users: welcome Scott Cronwright

16 December
Half way and it looks like iSpotters are not taking Xmas off.

Most excitingly we are approaching another brace of milestones:
Who will get there first?

* 6 to go to 3000 bird observations,
* 68 to go to 5000 invertebrate observations,
* 139 to go to 2000 fungi & lichen observations,
and
* 190 to go to 25 000 plant observations

For the month the current total is already:
- second highest monthly for invertebrates, reptiles & amphibians;
- fourth highest monthly for birds;
- seventh highest monthly for mammals, plants, fungi & lichen.
Invertebrates at the current rate will break their monthly record.

18 December: 11h00 - update to go: birds 1; invertebrates 48; plants 51; fungi 133.

Birds win:

3000 Bird Observations: on Tuesday 18 December 2012 at 16h27 with Evanne Rothwell's observation of Bokmakierie 20121218 at 12, River Sands, Abington Rd.

25000 Plant Observations:on Wednesday 19 December 2012 at 10h46 with Georg Fritz's observation of Nerine krigei at Devon, Gauteng.

Whose next?
Invertebrates: 38 to go; Fungi 120 to go.

68 000 Agreements on 20 December.

5000 Invertebrate Observations:on Friday 21 December 2012 at 17h21 with Wynand Uys's observation of Jewel profile and mug shot at Blyde River Near Hoedspruit.

Western Leopard Toad reaches 475 observations on Friday 21 December 2012 - due in large part to the Upload Your Toad campaign (see http://ispot.org.za/node/137767).

Some milestones this week: Congratulations -
Marlandza: 4000 points
Gigi: 2000 points

24 December

Invertebrates have set a new monthly record with 580 observations.
Amphibians & Reptiles have set a new monthly record with 321 observations.
Fish have set a new monthly record with 33 observations.

Currently:
Plants are 3rd highest month with 2194;
Fungi & Lichens are 3rd highest month with 236;
Birds are 4th highest month with 267;
Mammals are 6th highest month with 83.

The total is currently the 3rd highest with 3716 observations for the month.

Stats:

2 086 registered Users
38 907 Observations
48 087 Determinations
69 304 Agreements
81 296 Images.

Fungi & Lichens are 43 short of 2000 observations,

39 000 Observations on Tuesday 25 December 2012 at about 21h51 with Christiaan's observation of Short-legged Seps at 21, Andrew Swart Dr.

MERRY XMAS ALL! - more at http://ispot.org.za/node/174973

2100 Users: welcome jenniprh on 26 December.

2 000 Fungi and Lichens Observations on Thursday 27 December 2012 with tony rebelo's observation of Grey filamentose lichen on bark at Constantiaberg summit.

December end statistics:

Monthly records:
Monthly total: 4549 observations :: new monthly record - 152 higher than previous! Quite unexpected as we thought December would be a quite month.
Invertebrates: 716 observations :: new monthly record - 141 higher than previous!
Amphibians & Reptiles: 373 observations :: new monthly record - 121 higher than previous!
Fungi & Lichens: 346 observations :: new monthly record - 47 higher than previous!
Fish: 34 observations :: new monthly record - 10 higher than previous!

Plants: 2643 observations - second highest monthly total.
Birds: 334 observations - third highest monthly total.
Mammals: 100 observations - 6th highest monthly total

Users: 2 123
Observations: 39 719
Determinations: 49 067
Agreements: 71 124
Images: 83 086

About 8% of users have used iSpot this week, and 21% in the last month.
35% of users have added an observation.

January statistics:

2 000 Amphibian and Reptile Observations on Wednesday 02 January 2013 at noon with a WLT Monitoring observation of Western Leopard Toad 286_02-08-2010 63, Waterford Cir.

40 000 Observations on Thursday 03 January 2013 at 13h16 with caspervanzyl's observation of Intensely Red Aloe - Entabeni Forest at Entabeni Forest.

5 January 2013

Welcome to 2013! A slow start to the month. Early projections are that Invertebrates may approach records, and (ignoring the Western Leopard Toad Monitoring data) no other groups are going to set new records.
At present we have (relative to the subcontinental totals):
3.9 observations per mammal species
3.3 observations per bird species
3.1 observations per amphibian & reptile species
1.2 observations per plant species
and
7.5% observations per invertebrate species
7.1% observations per fish species
1.2% observations per fungus and lichen species

50 000 Determinations on Wednesday 09 January 2013. A "Determination" is an Identification, as opposed to an "Agreement" which is when users agree to an Identification (we have 73 500 agreements at present).

85 000 Images on Friday 11 January 2013.

75 000 Agreementson Saturday 12 January 2013.

41 000 Observations on Monday 14 January 2013 at 16h21 with Wynand Uys's observation of Palystes paralized by wasp at Blyde River Near Hoedspruit.

15 January 2013

A slow January continues.
A few minor updates to iSpot: uploading now orientates your picture based on the exif data - no need to rotate your pictures if you have an orientation setting on your camera or cell phone.

Although no records are predicted to be broken this month, we have already exceeded last years January results for all except Birds and Mammals, with only Mammals not predicted to exceed January 2012 totals. Let's see if we can up the mammals a little?

21 January 2013

A slow January continues, with a little evidence a observers returning from holiday. Hopefully the holiday pics will come in soon.

42 000 Observations on Tuesday 22 January 2013 at 23h35 with Alex Dreyer's observation of Eastern Little Tuna at Indigo Bay, Mozambique.

We definitely need more fish experts: please ask anyone you know to join!

25 January 2013

Statistics 25 Jan (13h00):

Users
- Registered: 2 296
- Accessed (30 days): 457
- Accessed (7 days): 232
- Added observations: 808
- Added determinations: 711
- Added agreements: 520

Observations
- Observations: 42 465
- Determinations: 52 735
- Agreements: 78 955
- Images: 89 091

27 January:

4 days to go. So far -
Fish at 2nd highest monthly total,
Invertebrates & Amphibians and Reptiles at 3rd highest,
Birds at 5th highest,
Plants at 7th highest,
Mammals at 8th highest, &
Fungi and Lichens at 9th highest.
With the exception of mammals all are over double January 2012s totals
The total is the 6th highest to date, with almost 3 times January 2012s total.
But 4 days can change things! Although it is unlikely that any monthly records will be broken this month, the months ranking can only improve!

Many thanks to all for the great task! And excellent data. Please remember to select an observation of the month!

43 000 Observations on Wednesday 30 January 2013 with Prix Burgoyne's observation of Centipede, VanRhynsdorp at N7, Vanrhynsdorp.

Also: 90 000 Images on Wednesday 30 January 2013.

Month end statistics:

Invertebrates and Fish at 2nd highest monthly total,
Amphibians and Reptiles at 3rd highest,
Overall at 4th highest month so far,
Birds and Plants at 5th highest,
Fungi and Lichens at 7th highest &
Mammals at 8th highest.
Still we now have 4 pictures per mammal species (on average) - the best rate of all groups.

Thanks everyone!

February statistics:

28 000 Plant Observations on Monday 05 February 2013 at 14h25 with lyle.ground's observation of Gnidia splendens at 12, Gilbert Drive.

9th February:
Still early in the month for predictions, but Birds, Plants and Invertebrates look set to do well this month.
Fish, Mammals and Fungi are off to a very slow start.

Approaching 45 000 Observations on 13 February.
Countdown:

60 to go at 10h35 with Maritza's observation of Black Pie at Blyderiver.

50 to go at 14h29 with sheijohn's observation of Glaucus atlanticus at 0A, Peter Creese Way.

40 to go at 15h18 with Andrew Deacon's observation of Prinia at R547, Witbank.

30 to go at 15h35 with elty007's observation of No Idea at Kraai river cutting on R 396 Moshesh's Ford.

20 to go at 15h57 with Joanette Le Cornu's observation of Rooiboekenhout/Red beech at Fearie glen nature resurve.

10 to go at 16h57 with Brian KD2's observation of Gold Spotted Sylph - Metisella metis at NMMU, Saasveld Campus.

5 to go at 17h12 with vynbos's observation of Elegiac Mist at Bottom of Spes Bona.

45 000 Observations:
at 17h15 with Mo's observation of Flying Ant (Sitting) at Historic Gantouw Pass.

Well done! Thanks all for a great milestone. More at http://ispot.org.za/node/182032.
Now the count down to 50 000 commences!

4 500 Observations to go to 50 000: on Sunday 17 February 2013 at 23h50 with Dagmar Gleiss' observation of Rock hyrax at Cape of Good Hope, Table Mountain National Park.

17th February:
Fantastic data coming in in some groups:
* Birds and Invertebrates predicted to break the monthly record.
* Amphibians and Plants predicted to be within top 5 months.
* Mammals and Fungi & Lichens are well below par. Is this just a bad period for these groups or do we need to do something about them. Fish still disappointing: experts not yet fishing.
** Overall, this is predicted to be the 5th highest monthly total: lets see how things pan out.

4 000 Observations to go to 50 000: on Wednesday 20 February 2013 at 17h18 with Prix Burgoyne's observation of Mesembryanthemum gariusanum, Goodhouse at D208, Haklesdoorn.

90 000 Agreements on Wednesday 20 February 2013

Invertebrates exceeds previous highest monthly total on Friday 22 February 2013. How many observations will be end up with for the month?

3 500 Observations to go to 50 000: on Friday 22 February 2013 at 17h51 with Marion Maclean's observation of Baby protea? - Montagu WCape at Langeberg fynbos foothills, Montagu.

24th February:
Some brilliant data: many thanks for a great effort. Its a short month, with just 4 days to go, but at present:
* Invertebrates are already 90 observations over the previous monthly record.
* Birds are predicted to break the monthly record: 26 more observations to go.
* Amphibians are at the 4th highest month.
* Plants are at the 4th highest month.
* Mammals and Fungi & Lichens at the 10th highest month.
* Fish still disappointing: experts not yet fishing.
** Overall, this is at the 4th highest month, and predicted to reach the 3th highest monthly total.
Very many thanks.

92 000 Agreements on Monday 25 February 2013

3 000 Observations to go to 50 000: on Monday 25 February 2013 at 17h55 with Michael McSweeney's observation of Woodland Kingfisher at Kruger Park, Lowveld.

Birds exceeds previous highest monthly total on Monday 25 February 2013. How many observations will be end up with for the month?

59 000 Determinations on Tuesday 26 February 2013

!! 100 000 IMAGES !!
100 000 Images on Tuesday 26 February 2013 at 11h43 with Brian KD2's observation of Erica cubica at Railway Track, Outeniqua Mountains.

2 500 Observations to go to 50 000: on Thursday 28 February 2013 at 08h02 with tony rebelo's observation of Port Jackson Willow Invasion and control and the Battle of Blaawberg at Blouberg Hill flats east of WWII Radar Station.

February statistics:

Monthly positions:
Invertebrates 902 records: 180 more records this month than the previous monthly record!!!
Birds 567 records: 110 more records this month than the previous monthly record!! With some really amazing pictures!
Plants 2640 records: equal to second highest monthly record!
Amphibians 4th highest monthly record.
Other groups did not really feature this month.

Thanks a million.

We also hit -
* 45 000 Observations
* 92 000 Agreements

And hope to hit 50 000 Observations and 100 000 agreements in March: what this space!

March statistics:

4 000th Bird Observation on Saturday 02 March 2013 at 13h23 with Marion Maclean's observation of Beagle - Montagu WCape at Baden road, WCape.

2 000 Observations to go to 50 000: on Sunday 03 March 2013 at 10h53 with Sharon Stanton's observation of Jaunty Dropwing (Trithemis stictica) at Palmiet River, Kogelberg Nature Reserve.

31 000th Plant Observation on Thursday 07 March 2013 at 07h34 with outramps' observation of abcGladiolus fourcadei dt grdam2409120042 at Garden Route Dam.

1 500 Observations to go to 50 000: on Thursday 07 March 2013 at 11h53 with Ryan van Huyssteen's observation of Bobbejan Stert at suikerbosrand.

7 000th Invertebrate Observation on Monday 11 March 2013 at 16h34 with Bushboy's observation of hungry snails at Marion Ave, Scottburgh.

1 000 Observations to go to 50 000: on Monday 11 March 2013 at 11h38 with Nicky's observation of Scabiosa columbaria at Cloud Nine.

500 Observations to go to 50 000: on Monday 18 March 2013 at 10h24 with jacquesvdmerwe's observation of Rafnia angulata? - Soethoutbossie at Jakobuskraal Nature Reserve.

400 Observations to go to 50 000: on Wednesday 20 March 2013 at 17h32 with magrietb'sobservation of Once I got a bagworm to show its face at Hanneshoek contour, Kleinmond.

Autumnal Equinox. (the tipping point, where the amount of time to make observations for iSpot equals the amount of time avaiable to load them on iSpot ...)

300 Observations to go to 50 000: on Friday 22 March 2013 at 09h11 with Wynand Uys'observation of Jewelbeetle in grassland at Blyde River bushveld and wetlands near Hoedspruit.

250 Observations to go to 50 000: on Saturday 22 March 2013 at 21h55 with Johan Potgieter's observation of Wildflowers161 at Hole in the Wall, Transkei.

200 Observations to go to 50 000: on Saturday 23 March 2013 at 08h01 with Gabi Miebacs' observation of Helichrysum in Hermanus at Hermanus, Kliff Path.

100 Observations to go to 50 000: on Saturday 23 March 2013 at 10h42 with Johan Potgieter's observation of Wildflowers196 at Mpume, Idutywa.

Sorry: the final countdown happened overnight and too fast to put in the full countdown: but the countdown carousel can be found here: http://ispot.org.za/node/187058
and here:
*-*Approaching 50 000 Observations*-*

50 000 Observations
50 000 Observations
50 000 Observations
50 000 Observations
50 000 Observations

50 000: on Sunday 24 March 2013 at 06h12 with Judd Kirkel's observation of Orchid at Mabhulesini, Bergville.

Well done and thank you all! Have a great Easter

100 000 Agreements on Monday 25 March!

Month end report:
No records were broken in March. We hit 50 000 Observations and 100 000 Agreements.

April statistics:

18 April.
Not much to report.
2600 Observers.
At this rate invertebrates will set a new monthly record this month.
Birds, Mammals and Amphibians are remain down: any ideas on how to revitalize them?

23 April.
Trends beginning to crystalize
* Invertebrates 4th highest monthly total so far: should hit 2nd highest by month end.
* Plants 7th highest so far: might just hit 2nd highest by month end.
Other groups are putting along nicely: no records in sight.

Monthly total geared up for 4th highest to date: already 6th highest - but some serious targets above.

Invertebrates have just gone over 8000 observations.
Fungi over 2500 observations.

Please keep up the great work!

End of month stats (1 May):

Invertebrates: 2nd highest monthly total
Plants: 2nd highest monthly total
Fungi: 5th highest monthly total
Birds: 9th highest monthly total
Fish: 10th highest monthly total
Herps & Mammals: 13th highest monthly total

Overall: 4th highest monthly total

54 946 Observations
69 570 Determinations
109 990 Agreements
118 202 Images

Birds: 4.7 observations per species
Mammals: 4.6 observations per species
Herps: 3.8 observations per species
Plants: 1.6 observations per species

Invertebrates: 0.12 observations per species
Fish: 0.10 observations per species
Fungi: 0.02 observations per species

Plants: 35 082 observations
Invertebrates: 8 338 observations
Birds: 4 515 observations
Fungi: 2 690 observations
Herps: 2 476 observations
Mammals: 1 520 observations
Fish: 245 observations
Other: 61 observations

2676 registered users

16.5% of users have accessed iSpot in the last month
8.0% of users have accessed iSpot in the last week
36.7% of users have added an observation
32.2% of users have added a determination
23.8% of users have added an agreement

Registrations per day in the last month: 5.1
Registrations per day in the last week: 4.7

Leaderboard (social points):

Nicky 8885
outramps 6480
Marion Maclean 5524
vynbos 5023

marlandza 4621
Judd Kirkel W 4214
Brian KD2 3812

Riaan Stals 2947
Prix Burgoyne 2621
magrietb 2520
Wynand Uys 2446
Gigi 2117
Andrew Hankey 2012

Gerhard Diedericks 1914
Charles Stirton 1832
Janeen Nichols 1727
johanbaard 1591
Bushboy 1584
Alex Dreyer 1527

PieterMier 1372
jacquesvdmerwe 1316
rudi von staden 1299
Lizzie 1198
Alexander 1186

Jeff 1097
Andrewm 1096
Mo 1092
Georg Fritz 1080
Caroline Voget 1009

May statistics:

5 May:

too early to call. But looks like a bonanza month for plants, and possibly fungi and mammals.
One more observation for 2500 Amphibians and Reptiles.

Observation 55 555 is http://ispot.org.za/node/192759 - Lepidoptera by koosclaassens on 5th May 2013 at 2, Mauritz Rd

20 May:

Fungi & Lichens are currently 4th highest monthly total (2/3 of way through the month)
Herps 5th
Invertebrates and Mammals 7th
Birds 8th
Plants 10th
Fish 17th
The projections are that this might be the 3th highest month so far.

26 May:

Fungi & Lichens are currently 3rd highest monthly total
Herps 5th
Plants 6th
Invertebrates and Mammals 7th
Birds 8th
Fish 15th
The projections are that this might be the 4rd highest month so far (currently 6th).

Registered users: 2 806
Observations: 58 380
Determinations: 73 695
Agreements: 116 636
Images: 126 344

SPECIES SUMMARIES TO DATE:

A summary of species level (i.e. below genus level) identifications. IDs to genus and family are not included. Nor are species (and subspecies) that are not in the iSpot dictionary. Only "Likely IDs" are included.

The total number of taxa (species level and below, scientific name (not vernacular), recommended (not synonyms)) on the iSpot database at present are, with the percentage on iSpot:

plants: 51 787 (16.0%)
insects: 21 849 (2.8%)
fungi and lichens: 8 597 (1.7%)
fish: 6 750 (1.5%)
scorpions and spiders: 2 683 (3.7%)
birds: 1 572 (45.1%)
herps: 939 (30.2%)
mammals: 615 (30.1%)
molluscs: 492 (3.3%)

Plants

8237 taxa identified and illustrated.

1 record 3348
2 records 1502
-5 records 1807
-10 records 931
-20 records 484
-50 records 156
Records >50 9

Leucadendron salignum 96
Protea repens 81
Erica cerinthoides var. cerinthoides 66
Protea cynaroides 65
Protea nitida 62
Hyobanche sanguinea 61
Oxalis obtusa 60
Protea neriifolia 59
Erica plukenetii subsp. plukenetii 53
Drosera cistiflora 50

Birds

709 taxa identified and illustrated.

1 record 199
2 records 110
-5 records 166
-10 records 106
-20 records 80
-50 records 47
Records >50 1

Bubo africanus 52
Promerops cafer 48
Alopochen aegyptiaca 42
Struthio camelus subsp. australis 40
Haematopus moquini 39
Anthobaphes violacea 35
Cossypha caffra subsp. caffra 33
Cinnyris chalybeus subsp. chalybeus 33
Fulica cristata 31
Vanellus armatus 30

Insects

620 taxa identified and illustrated.

1 record 295
2 records 114
-5 records 111
-10 records 57
-20 records 29
Records >20 14

Apis mellifera subsp. capensis 36
Papilio demodocus subsp. demodocus 35
Acraea horta 34
Aptera fusca 33
Trithemis arteriosa 31
Vanessa cardui 28
Amitermes hastatus 27
Microhodotermes viator 26
Junonia hierta subsp. cebrene 24
Eutricha capensis 24

Amphibians and Reptiles

284 taxa identified and illustrated.

1 record 97
2 records 48
-5 records 67
-10 records 32
-20 records 24
50 records 13
Records >50 3

Amietophrynus pantherinus 605 (this is correct: see http://ispot.org.za/uploadyourtoad)
Chersina angulata 83
Amietia fuscigula 67
Bitis arietans subsp. arietans 44
Strongylopus grayii 44
Amietophrynus rangeri 41
Pseudaspis cana 37
Stigmochelys pardalis subsp. pardalis 36
Homopus areolatus 27
Amietophrynus gutturalis 27

Mammals

185 taxa identified and illustrated.

1 record 72
2 records 15
-5 records 38
-10 records 21
-20 records 17
-50 records 21
Records >50 1

Procavia capensis subsp. capensis 52
Equus quagga subsp. antiquorum 44
Tragelaphus strepsiceros subsp. strepsiceros 44
Loxodonta africana 42
Connochaetes taurinus subsp. taurinus 41
Giraffa camelopardalis subsp. giraffa 40
Panthera leo subsp. leo 37
Oryx gazella subsp. gazella 36
Antidorcas marsupialis subsp. hofmeyri 34
Canis mesomelas subsp. mesomelas 32

Fungi and Lichens

144 taxa identified and illustrated.

1 record 58
2 records 34
-5 records 24
-10 records 18
-20 records 9
Records >20 1

Schizophyllum commune 22
Aseroe rubra 19
Psora crenata 18
Teloschistes capensis 17
Pseudocyphellaria aurata 16
Amanita muscaria 15
Xanthoria parietina 13
Podaxis pistillaris 13
Amanita rubescens 11
Cladonia portentosa 11

Spiders and Scorpions

100 taxa identified and illustrated.

1 record 40
2 records 21
-5 records 22
-10 records 9
-20 records 5
Records >20 3

Argiope australis 43
Nephila fenestrata 42
Palystes superciliosus 27
Latrodectus geometricus 20
Palystes castaneus 14
Gasteracantha sanguinolenta 12
Nephila senegalensis 12
Parabuthus capensis 11
Harpactira dictator 9
Uroplectes carinatus 8

29 May:

Amphibians reach 4 pictures per species, on average.

Approaching 50 badges: see http://ispot.org.za/representatives - who will be number 50?

31 May:

Birds reach 5 pictures per species, on average.

Registered users: 2 882
Observations: 58 965
Determinations: 74 488
Agreements: 117 961
Images: 127 716

Average registrations per day on iSpot
in the last 30 days: 6.97
in the last week: 13.00

Fungi: 3rd highest monthly total
Herps: 4th highest monthly total
Mammals: 4th highest monthly total
Birds: 5th highest monthly total
Invertebrates: 5th highest monthly total
Plants: 5th highest monthly total
Fish: 15th highest monthly total

Overall: 4th highest monthly total

June statistics:

Countdown to 60 000 observations

1000 to go: Observation 59 000 on Sunday 02 June 2013 at 14h50 with Outrampsjenny's observation of Hermbstaedtia linearis at Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.

200 to go: Observation 59 800 on Thursday 06 June 2013 at 23h36 with ripleyrm's observation of Nemesia at Helderberg.

100 to go: Observation 59 900 on Friday 07 June 2013 at 23h25 with ripleyrm's observation of Eustegia at Wedderwill Country Estate.

50 to go: Observation 59 950 on Saturday 08 June 2013 at 12h15 with Wynand Uys's observation of Suckermouth in Lowveld at Blyde River at Confluence with Olifants, rapid.

20 to go: Observation 59 980 on Saturday 08 June 2013 at 18h32 with M Kriek's observation of Saragesa sp. at 24, Umvemve Pl.

15 to go: Observation 59 985 on Saturday 08 June 2013 at 20h32 with Alan Horstmann's observation of Aloe arborescens - Yellow at Kirstenbosch NBG.

10 to go: Observation 59 990 on Saturday 08 June 2013 at 21h29 with Alan Horstmann's observation of Moraea - Kamieskroon at N7, Kamieskroon.

5 to go: Observation 59 995 on Saturday 08 June 2013 at 22h18 with Lizzie's observation of Russula sororia at Nieuwenhuyzen St, Elarduspark, Pretoria.

3 to go: Observation 59 997 on Saturday 08 June 2013 at 22h19 with Brian KD2's observation of Big Yawn Bateleur... at Kruger, Satara Region.

2 to go: Observation 59 998 on Saturday 08 June 2013 at 22h20 with Brian KD2's observation of Pretty yellowbill pose... at Kruger, Afsaal area.

1 to go: Observation 59 999 on Saturday 08 June 2013 at 22h20 with Brian KD2's observation of Pretty lady photoshoot before school... at 63, Erica Rd (George).

60 000 OBSERVATIONS on Saturday 08 June 2013 at 22h27 with Welwitsch's observation of Euphorbia cumulata at N Grahamstown. - was deleted at 22h28 :: RESET ::

60 000 OBSERVATIONS on Saturday 08 June 2013 at 22h29 with Alan Horstmann's observation of Euphorbia at Kirstenbosch at Kirstenbosch NBG.

Just 3 days short of 1 year since our launch!

8 June 23h00:

users: 2926
observations: 60 002
determinations: 75 694
agreements: 120 201
images: 129 996

Projections based on data submitted so far suggest that potentially June will be:
2nd highest month for plants and mammals
3rd highest month for fish
5th highest month for herps
6th highest month for birds
7th highest month for fungi & lichens and Overall
9th highest month for invertebrates

Birds and mammals are neck to neck with on average 5.1 observations per species, followed by amphibians with 4.1 and plants with 1.7 observations per species.

Average number of registrations per day for the last week was 5.7 users

Advance Notice: exciting news - International Bioblitz during the third week of September.
http://ispot.org.za/forum/6996

5 000 BIRD OBSERVATIONS on Sunday 16 June 2013 at 22h24 with Ryan Daniels's observation of DSCN8393 at Koeberg Nature Reserve.

We now also have Googleanalytics:

Since 6 May we have had for iSpot ZA:

14 599 people visiting the site – 56 % returning
9.2 minutes average duration
15.9k ZA; 2.3k USA; 1.3k UK; 0.8k France; 8.9k other

30 056 visits: 16 323 ZA, 2 356 USA, 1 348 UK

243 508 page views -
26 407 myspot http://ispot.org.za/myspot
16 879 home http://ispot.org.za/
8 188 myspot/unread http://ispot.org.za/myspot/unread
5 879 browse/observations http://ispot.org.za/browse_observations

Between 5000 and 10 000 pageviews per day over the entire period.

18 June 23h00:

From a great start, June has failed to deliver. Most noticeably moths and goggos are down - probably due to the cold weather.
Currently this is projected to be our 9th highest month so far.
Birds, Herps and Mammals are still doing well.

21 users short of 3000!

iSpot ZA and UK combined coming up to the 250 000 observations mark. Any ideas for celebrations?

3 000 USERS on Friday 21 June 2013 at 00h35 : Welcome Cecilia Chalmers

23 June 23h00:

Currently (and projected based on current input):
Mammals and Fish: 6th highest monthly total (2nd, 4th)
Bird: 7th highest monthly total (4th)
Invertebrates and Herps and Fungi & Lichens: 11th highest monthly total (8th, 7th, 8th)
Plants: 13th highest monthly total (9th)
Overall: 12th highest monthly total (8th)

Users: 3017

Observations: 61 546
Determinations: 77 653
Agreements: 123 567
Images: 133 644

800 from 40 000 Plant observations.
640 from 10 000 Invertebrate observations
360 from 2 000 Mammal observations.
225 from 3 000 Herp observations.

iSpot ZA and UK combined coming up to the 250 000 observations mark. Predicted date (25 June) 04 July 2013.

30 June:

iSpot ZA and UK combined reached 250 000 observations mark about Lunch time 30 June. (catching us off guard, still preparing press releases).

250 000 OBSERVATIONS WORLDWIDE ON ISPOT on Sun 30 June 2013 at 14h13 with Douglas Euston-Brown's observation of geel spinnekop at Slanghoek Valley.

Month End statistics:

Mammals: 2nd highest monthly total
Fish: 3rd highest monthly total
Bird: 4th highest monthly total
Herps and Plants: 7th highest monthly total
Invertebrates and Fungi & Lichens: 8th highest monthly total

Overall: 7th highest monthly total

Users: 3049

Observations: 62 873
Determinations: 79 239
Agreements: 125 966
Images: 136 588

By request - based on 2 June data dump:
I agree tallies

Observations with the highest "I agree"s

16 Leucadendron argenteum
15 Alopochen aegyptiaca
15 Haematopus moquini (X2 observations)
15 Threskiornis aethiopicus
15 Burhinus capensis subsp. capensis
15 Bostrychia hagedash subsp. hagedash
14 Anthropoides paradiseus
14 Haliaeetus vocifer
14 Pachypodium namaquanum
14 Platalea alba
14 Aloe dichotoma
14 Sagittarius serpentarius
14 Bucorvus leadbeateri

Taxa with the highest "I agree" Score (sum of voter points)

1 Protea repens 195.3969
2 Protea cynaroides 175.8499
3 Erica cerinthoides var. cerinthoides 169.1594
4 Protea nitida 154.9797
5 Boophone disticha 151.6549
6 Amietophrynus pantherinus 150.8741
7 Leucadendron salignum 144.5284
8 Protea neriifolia 138.1471
9 Mimetes cucullatus 133.1911
10 Zantedeschia aethiopica 123.2891
11 Hyobanche sanguinea 105.5406
12 Asilidae 102.131
13 Brunsvigia orientalis 100.8381
14 Crassula orbicularis 100.6892
15 Syrphidae 96.1216
16 Bubo africanus 95.7281
17 Promerops cafer 93.7185
18 Acrididae 90.2373
19 Tylecodon paniculatus 90.0489
20 Lycus 87.2083
21 Serruria fasciflora 85.4939
22 Wachendorfia paniculata 81.8425
23 Scadoxus puniceus 81.572
24 Gomphocarpus cancellatus 80.4615
25 Xylocopa 78.911
26 Crassula rupestris subsp. rupestris 78.5682
27 Disa cornuta 78.4549
28 Disa bracteata 77.9951
29 Oxalis purpurea 77.5559
30 Aloe dichotoma 76.5493
31 Moraea tripetala 75.125
32 Erica plukenetii subsp. plukenetii 75.0402
33 Brunia noduliflora 74.2167
34 Aloe perfoliata 73.3207
35 Protea eximia 72.5423
36 Protea lorifolia 72.4805
37 Cotyledon orbiculata var. orbiculata 71.928
38 Papilio demodocus subsp. demodocus 71.7892
39 Vanessa cardui 71.3641
40 Pelargonium triste 71.0896
41 Alopochen aegyptiaca 71.0485
42 Phaenocoma prolifera 69.94
43 Oxalis obtusa 69.7491
44 Disa uniflora 69.6159
45 Erica densifolia 69.44
46 Satyrium coriifolium 69.3001
47 Haemanthus coccineus 69.1813
48 Aptera fusca 66.6286
49 Leucadendron rubrum 65.8154
50 Crassula coccinea 65.3954

Taxa with the highest Average "I agree" Score (average of voter points)

1 Haworthia truncata var. truncata 4.7694
2 Pachypodium bispinosum 4.61025
3 Strelitzia juncea 4.5
4 Pillansia templemannii 4.25395
5 Cannabis sativa var. sativa 4.2514
6 Paralethe dendrophilus subsp. dendrophilus 4
7 Pelargonium undulatum 4
8 Cyathea dregei 3.8934
9 Aloe polyphylla 3.8604
10 Crassula coccinea 3.846788235
11 Pachypodium namaquanum 3.674790909
12 Trichoplusia orichalcea 3.63212
13 Bartholina etheliae 3.545014286
14 Crassula pyramidalis 3.538864286
15 Azanus jesous 3.5
16 Conophytum burgeri 3.5
17 Crassula muscosa 3.5
18 Diaphania indica 3.5
19 Echinopsis spachiana 3.5
20 Haworthia pumila 3.5
21 Haworthia sordida var. sordida 3.5
22 Sarcocaulon salmoniflorum 3.5
23 Orothamnus zeyheri 3.4212
24 Protea lorea 3.395025
25 Erythrina zeyheri 3.349828571
26 Adenium multiflorum 3.3074
27 Bartholina burmanniana 3.267126667
28 Ricaniidae 3.267
29 Aloe krapohliana 3.2286
30 Disa uniflora 3.164359091
31 Crassula rupestris subsp. rupestris 3.142728
32 Aloe pillansii 3.130225
33 Erica pectinifolia var. pectinifolia 3.1
34 Welwitschia mirabilis subsp. namibiana 3.0992
35 Rhipsalis baccifera subsp. mauritiana 3.0875
36 Vachellia xanthophloea 3.0554
37 Adansonia kilima 3.0514
38 Ammocharis coranica 3.045772222
39 Ficinia radiata 3.045228571
40 Hoodia pilifera subsp. annulata 3.04
41 Bowiea volubilis subsp. volubilis 3.0389
42 Disa lugens var. lugens 3.0305
43 Aloe peglerae 3.024133333
44 Adenolobus garipensis 3.02226
45 Eichhornia crassipes 3.0163
46 Kleinia stapeliiformis 3.015
47 Zygophyllum teretifolium 3.0148
48 Dionaea muscipula 3.0133
49 Bryophyllum delagoense 3.0055
50 Stapelia leendertziae 3.0026

Taxa with the highest number of "I agree"s Sc
ore (number of "I agrees")

1 Amietophrynus pantherinus 1891
2 Chersina angulata 444
3 Protea repens 399
4 Bubo africanus 388
5 Bitis arietans subsp. arietans 387
6 Promerops cafer 386
7 Alopochen aegyptiaca 377
8 Erica cerinthoides var. cerinthoides 373
9 Haematopus moquini 366
10 Protea cynaroides 364
11 Protea nitida 319
12 Boophone disticha 309
13 Procavia capensis subsp. capensis 283
14 Loxodonta africana 279
15 Lycus 277
16 Zantedeschia aethiopica 277
17 Bostrychia hagedash subsp. hagedash 265
18 Vanellus armatus 253
19 Anthobaphes violacea 251
20 Aptera fusca 247
21 Struthio camelus subsp. australis 246
22 Leucadendron salignum 242
23 Mimetes cucullatus 242
24 Protea neriifolia 242
25 Asilidae 235
26 Burhinus capensis subsp. capensis 231
27 Haliaeetus vocifer 230
28 Giraffa camelopardalis subsp. giraffa 229
29 Tragelaphus strepsiceros subsp. strepsiceros 229
30 Brunsvigia orientalis 228
31 Threskiornis aethiopicus 226
32 Hyobanche sanguinea 224
33 Agama atra subsp. atra 217
34 Cossypha caffra subsp. caffra 214
35 Fulica cristata 214
36 Sagittarius serpentarius 213
37 Argiope australis 211
38 Anthropoides paradiseus 209
39 Ardea melanocephala 209
40 Acrididae 208
41 Papilio demodocus subsp. demodocus 207
42 Ceryle rudis subsp. rudis 204
43 Vanessa cardui 201
44 Onychognathus morio 200
45 Equus quagga subsp. antiquorum 199
46 Papio ursinus subsp. ursinus 197
47 Pycnonotus capensis 197
48 Nectarinia famosa subsp. famosa 194
49 Panthera leo subsp. leo 192
50 Elanus caeruleus 191

Taxa with the highest average "I agree"s Sc
ore (average number of "I agrees")

1 Mola mola 11
2 Bostrychia hagedash subsp. hagedash 9.814814815
3 Haematopus moquini 9.15
4 Anthropoides paradiseus 9.086956522
5 Bucorvus leadbeateri 9
6 Cannabis sativa var. sativa 9
7 Halcyon senegaloides subsp. senegaloides 9
8 Alopochen aegyptiaca 8.568181818
9 Burhinus capensis subsp. capensis 8.555555556
10 Haliaeetus vocifer 8.518518519
11 Aloe polyphylla 8.5
12 Dendroaspis polylepis subsp. polylepis 8.333333333
13 Vanellus armatus 8.161290323
14 Aspidelaps lubricus subsp. lubricus 8
15 Egretta ardesiaca 8
16 Haworthia truncata var. truncata 8
17 Pachypodium namaquanum 8
18 Serinus canicollis subsp. thompsonae 8
19 Bitis arietans subsp. arietans 7.897959184
20 Sagittarius serpentarius 7.888888889
21 Ciconia episcopus subsp. microscelis 7.866666667
22 Ceryle rudis subsp. rudis 7.846153846
23 Threskiornis aethiopicus 7.793103448
24 Bartholina etheliae 7.714285714
25 Plectropterus gambensis subsp. niger 7.7
26 Elanus caeruleus 7.64
27 Telophorus zeylonus subsp. thermophilus 7.625
28 Cossypha caffra subsp. namaquensis 7.5
29 Orothamnus zeyheri 7.5
30 Aseroe rubra 7.473684211
31 Bartholina burmanniana 7.466666667
32 Telophorus zeylonus subsp. zeylonus 7.363636364
33 Promerops cafer 7.283018868
34 Aptera fusca 7.264705882
35 Merops nubicoides 7.25
36 Strix woodfordii subsp. woodfordii 7.25
37 Upupa africana 7.235294118
38 Homoroselaps lacteus 7.166666667
39 Onychognathus morio 7.142857143
40 Numida meleagris subsp. coronata 7.074074074
41 Alectoris chukar 7
42 Aloe peglerae 7
43 Bostrychia hagedash subsp. brevirostris 7
44 Bugeranus carunculatus 7
45 Chlorophoneus viridis subsp. quadricolor 7
46 Disa uniflora 7
47 Hemisus guttatus 7
48 Ixobrychus minutus subsp. payesii 7
49 Lachenalia viridiflora 7
50 Merops pusillus subsp. argutus 7

July statistics:

40 000 PLANT OBSERVATIONS on Monday 01 July 2013 at 16h30 with Chopin's observation of Sedge at Slangkop, Kommetjie.

Approaching 66 667: Observation 63 333 at 19h48 05/07/13 with Richard Adcock Lightscapes' observation of Blou Afrikaner at Bloubergstrand Melkbosstrand area.

Approaching 66 667: Observation 64 444 at 23h40 11/07/13 with tony rebelo's observation of Karkar Reedpipe at Block A13a Tokai Park.

14 July:

Half month. Projections are:
Within 5 highest monthly totals: birds, fish, plants;
Unusually low: herps, fungi
Overall: 6 highest monthly total.

Currently:
2 to 300 Fish observations.
140 to 2 000 Mammal observations.
170 to 3 000 Herp observations.
240 to 10 000 Invertebrate observations.
2 600 plant observations to an average of 2 observations per species.
& 1 599 from 66 667 observations!

300 Fish Observations at 17h01 18/07/13 with Andrew Deacon's observation of Abudefduf at Coconut Coast Road, Jangamo.

Approaching 66 667: Observation 65 555 at 18h07 20/07/13 with Francois Kriel's observation of Giant ground gecko at N14, Aggeneys.

10 000 Social Points: at about 21/07/13 with Nicky reached 10 000 social poiints with a posting of Scarabaeidae (Fruit Chafer) on Helichrysum harveyanum at Melville Koppie.
Thanks Nicky: we really appreciate your fantastic effort and enthusiasm and help! Well done!

Milestone 66 667:

Milestone 66 667: Observation 66 667 at 21h43 28/07/13 with Alex Dreyer's observation of Grey Go-away-bird, Kwêvoël at Dithabaneng Dr, Pilanesberg National Park.

Well done everyone: it is an immense pleasure seeing iSpot grow so fast! I trust that you are enjoying it every bit as much!

Dont forget the observations of the month:
June: http://ispot.org.za/node/196344 - voting about to close.
July: http://ispot.org.za/node/202842 - nominations about to close.

29 July:

It is all happening: everyone is back from the June recess and the data are coming in nicely. The monthly totals are:

Plants are 2nd highest and with just 100 observations per day could post a new monthly record.
Mammals are 2nd highest and likely to remain there. (need 10 observations per day to break the record - our average is 6 a day).
Fish are 3rd highest and likely to stay there.
Birds are 5th highest and will probably stay there.
Invertebrates are 9th highest and will probably stay there.
Herps and Fungi are not featuring on the leader board this month.

Overall the monthly total is 5th highest, and set to end up 4th highest so far on iSpot.

Other stats:
* We are 34 short of 10 000 invertebrate observations! Come one: post those goggos!
* We are 52 short of 2 000 mammals. How about getting there soon?

One day to go and we need:
10 birds to make it 400 for the month
9 herps to make it 100 for the month
7 mammals to make it 200 for the month (previous monthly record ~ 190 - thanks!)
Plants are 5 over 3000 for the month and 70 short of a new monthly record: let's go for it! - in fact let us see it we can make it an average of 100 plants a day for July!! We will need 95 more plants: do you have any specials in your bottom drawer?

Another major milestone - 10 000 Invertebrate Observations:
10 000 Invertebrate Observations at 17h59 30/07/13 with Chopin's observation of Bagworm on Protea at Lower Slopes of Spitskop TMNP.

Month end stats:

Plants: new monthly record with 3 247 observations: 170 higher than previous (Oct 2012).
Mammals: new monthly record with 207 observations: almost 20 higher than previous (Sept 2012).
Fish are 2nd highest monthly total to date.
Birds are 5th highest monthly total to date.
Invertebrates are 9th highest total to date.
Herps and Fungi did not feature overly this month.

And we have set yet another overall monthly total: at 4659 observations, July is over 110 higher than the previous totals last summer.

And:
Invertebrates came from nowhere to make 500 - with 8 to spare.
Birds made 400 - with 13 to spare.
Herps made 100 - just.
Mammals made 200 with 7 to spare.
and
Plants made 3247 - so almost 105 observations per day!

Well done everyone: What a fantastic set of achievements.

LEADER BOARD: 15 July (users with over 500 points):

**** tony rebelo
9925 Nicky

6889 Outramps
6808 Vynbos

5939 Marion Maclean
5121 Brian KD2

4691 Marlandza
4426 Judd Kirkel W

3911 Riaan Stals
3193 Wynand Uys

2940 Magrietb
2641 Prix Burgoyne
2199 Gigi
2126 Andrew Hankey

1939 Charles Stirton
1916 Gerhard Diedericks
1911 Bushboy
1825 Janeen Nichols
1772 PieterMier
1758 Alex Dreyer
1740 Johanbaard

1540 rudi von staden
1458 Jacquesvdmerwe
1299 Mo
1227 Lizzie
1217 Alexander
1177 Caroline Voget
1118 Andrewm
1099 Jeff
1080 Georg Fritz
1073 Lee Jones

997 PeterRWarren
981 Jannie Groenewald
962 Alan Horstmann
930 Sediqa Khatieb
918 Chopin
853 Andrew Deacon
835 Miked

790 Kobie
790 Richard Adcock
785 Bhekisisa
785 Gawie
773 Ernest Porter
765 sarah-leigh
764 Koosclaassens
757 Graham G
725 Saxicola
717 Johan Potgieter

695 Cassine
683 Michael McSweeney
679 Dagmar Gleiss
678 Chris Wahlberg
677 Joan Young
675 Ryan van Huyssteen
673 qgrobler
668 Forshawn
631 Ruedi Siegenthaler

558 Gerrie Horn
554 Douglas Euston-Brown
546 c.summersgill
545 Derek Tribble
536 rjpretor
531 Outrampsjenny
526 adriaan_grobler
518 Peter Webb
513 John Wilson
510 Kenneth Oberlander
500 JoLouis

STATUS OF LIKELY-IDs ON iSpot BY RANK - observations:
(5th July: only observations linked to dictionary: non-dictionary Likely IDS cannot be classified by group or rank)

Amphibians and Reptiles
Order 4
Suborder 1
Family 7
Genus 25
Species 2 502

Birds
Family 4
Genus 15
Species 5 078

Chelicerae
Class 14
Subclass 13
Order 109
Suborder 1
Family 259
Genus 236
Species 474

Crustacea
Subphylum 1
Class 3
Order 3
Infraorder 6
Family 7
Species 3

Fish
Family 5
Genus 6
Species 237

Fungi and Lichens
Kingdom 1
Phylum 4
Order 22
Family 8
Genus 581
Species 588

Insects
Class 10
Order 416
Suborder 26
EpiFamily 15
SuperFamily 44
Family 1 920
Subfamily 171
Tribe 96
Genus 678
Species 2 559

Invertebrates
Phylum 5
Class 12
Subclass 8
Order 6
Genus 10
Species 27

Mammals
Suborder 2
SuperFamily 1
Family 18
Subfamily 1
Genus 16
Species 1 558

Molluscs
Phylum 3
Class 5
Subclass 9
Suborder 1
Family 10
Genus 19
Species 58

Other organisms
Class 1
Genus 8
Species 32

Plants
Kingdom 1
Phylum 16
Subphylum 6
Class 6
Order 5
Clade 1
Family 234
Subfamily 6
Genus 2 733
Species 39 117

There have been a few complaints that the graphs are too small: please go to the bottom of the header, to where it says attachments and lists the illustrations in blue, and click on the blue file names - this will open the originals rather than just show the thumbnails. They are not large in size for downloading but very large to explore all the details.

What a rally: watch the stats at midnight!

August statistics:

44 000 PLANT OBSERVATIONS on Monday 12 August 2013 at 15h11 with Stuart Shearer's observation of Babiana at R406, Greyton.
That is nominally an average of 2 observations per plant taxon in s Africa. Not bad: will try and figure out how many species we have.

70 000 Observations on Wednesday 21 August 2013 at 00h17 with tony rebelo's observation of Blackbeard Sugarbush at Mowbray ridge Devils Peak saddle.

No new records set in August.
We reached 71 564 Observations.

Plants were 3rd highest montly total to date
Mammals were 4th highest monthly total
Birds were 6th highest monthly total
Fish were 7th highest monthly total
Invertebrates were 8th highest monthly total
Herps were 12th highest total
Fungi and Lichens with 15th highest total.

thanks for the great data.

Breaking news: help pop a few records!!!

September statistics:
18 September

Due to slow response times, uploads are well below normal and projections suggest we will only equal last September's totals. Let us prove the projections wrong!!

73 800 observations: 1200 to 75k!! Let us go for it.

25 September

75 000 Observations on Wednesday 25 September 2013 at 00h39 with Janeen Nichols' observation of Spiloxene capensis at Harmony Flats Nature Reserve.

25 September: 4000 Observers! Welcome to our 4000th Observer Kent who is interested in Zoology!

Our statistics are looking much better. At present we are heading for the 5th highest total to date for a month.
Plants are headed for their second highest monthly total to date.
Invertebrates and Fish are shaping up quite well as well.

The GreatNatureProject is fully underway: see here - http://ispot.org.za/taxonomy/term/10295 Thanks everyone for contributing.

We need more Mammals and Birds especially. Given that the Western Leopard Toad has been breeding, the Amphibian and Reptile totals have been very low.

Please dig deep: Lets put our fauna and flora on the map.

150 000 Agreements on 26 September!!

Final Tally:
We broke all records: 4925 Observations: just 75 short of 5000 for the month - and over 160 observations per day.

The major contribution to this was plants with 3576 observations.

Very many thanks for putting our biodiversity on the map!

October Statistics

(graphs 21 October)

100 000 Determinations on 18 October! Well done all! An especial thanks to those who go through the records looking for things to ID!

80 000 Observations on Saturday 19 October 2013 at 12h00 with tony rebelo's observation of Greenhair Tree at Rooiberg ascent Richtersveld National Park.

21 October.

Wow it has been a great spring season.
At present the monthly status is:
Other organisms 2nd highest
Plant 3rd
Mammals 8th
Invertebrates 10th
Birds 11th

Plants are set to exceed previous records by over 500 observations, and to exceed total observations as until October last year.

28 October.

Popped:
Plants highest monthly total to date: 3841 - will we make 4000?
Total highest monthly total to date: 5284 - will we blow 5500 or even reach 6000?

That is more plants than observations until October last year!!!

Mammals 4th highest
Inverts 5th highest
Birds 6th highest
Fungi and Herps not really coming to the party.
And our fisheries seem to have collapsed: 1 fish a week. Oh dear!

Please keep up the great work: lets see which records we break!!

31 October - noon:
Twelve hours to go.

Can we do it?

Birds need 1 more for 5th highest or 35 more for 2nd highest monthly total.

Invertebrates need 12 for 3rd highest or 23 for 2nd highest monthly total.

Mammals need 23 for 2nd highest monthly total

Amphibians and plants have popped their previous records.

Plants are 1000 more than the 2nd previous highest. They need 300 more to be 1000 observations higher than the previous monthly record.
Plants are just 700 observations short of exceeding the previous total monthly record for observations: what a glorious spring it has been!

Of course we have broken the previously monthly total. And we are currently

October Statistics

100 000 Determinations on 18 October!

80 000 Observations on Saturday 19 October 2013

What a month!!
Over 1000 more observations than any previous month so far!

Plants made 4300 observations - only 5 months to date have a total exceeding that.

And we had 6300 observations in total: the previous high was 4924!

Amphibians: record month (by over 100 observations)
Inverts 2nd highest month
Mammals 3rd highest
Birds 4th highest

Fungi and Herps not really coming to the party.
And our fisheries seem to have collapsed: 1 fish a week. Oh dear!

Please keep up the great work: lets see which records we break!!

31 October - noon:
Twelve hours to go.

Can we do it?

Birds need 1 more for 5th highest or 35 more for 2nd highest monthly total.

Invertebrates need 12 for 3rd highest or 23 for 2nd highest monthly total.

Mammals need 23 for 2nd highest monthly total

Amphibians and plants have popped their previous records.

Plants are 1000 more than the 2nd previous highest. They need 300 more to be 1000 observations higher than the previous monthly record.
Plants are just 700 observations short of exceeding the previous total monthly record for observations: what a glorious spring it has been!

October Statistics

100 000 Determinations on 18 October!

80 000 Observations on Saturday 19 October 2013

What a month!!
Over 1000 more observations than any previous month so far!

Plants made 4300 observations - only 5 months to date have a total exceeding that.

And we had 6300 observations in total: the previous high was 4924!

Amphibians: record month (by over 100 observations)
Inverts 2nd highest month
Mammals 3rd highest
Birds 4th highest

(ongoing stats not kept)

Invertebrates: 2nd highest month to date.
Herps: 2nd highest month to date.
Plants: 5th highest month to date.

Overall: 4th highest month to date.

Thanks for the great data.

December Statistics

December looks like a quiet month - should manage about average for the last 6 months. Down in the popular groups (birds, mammals) but this should pick up when people return from their holidays.
Herps have already set a new record, thanks to Upload your toad - with the Western Leopard toad having 1659 observations to date.
Hoping that Fish might also set a new record: projections suggest it might just be possible.

Countdown to 90 000 observations:

2000 to go to 90 000:
Pearsonia grandifolia subsp. grandifolia by Graham G on 8th December 2013 at 10h29 from N2, Harding.

Extremely exciting News: New discovery of only a second Mace Pagoda Mimetes stokoei by Linkie on 8 December at http://ispot.org.za/node/226208
(sorry: observation deleted by user)
Sorry this turns to have been a hoax. Please confine pranks to April Fool's Morning! Even if they are really good (which this one was not), please store them for the appropriate occasion.

Observer number 4500: welcome margretbradford.

Countdown to 90 000 observations continued:

1000 to go to 90 000:
Ornithogalum dubium by Gawie submitted on 12 December at 10h16 from minwater farm

500 to go to 90 000:
Lotononis by elty007 submitted on 15 December at 15h31 from Landkamp

250 to go to 90 000:
Dovyalis rhamnoides by Andrew Deacon submitted on 17 December at 08h12 from arque de Malongane, Matutuíne District

200 to go to 90 000:
Parupeneus indicus by Andrew Deacon submitted on 17 December at 14h27 from Lighthouse - Island Rock Road, Jangamo

150 to go to 90 000:
Unknown Red Masked Bird by Grant Alexander on 17th December 2013 from R406, Caledon

100 to go to 90 000:
IMG_8072 by SwannieK on 18th December at 16h29 from R573, Roodeplaat

90 to go to 90 000:
Staberoha aemula by Brian KD2 on 18th December at 17h02 from Ls secundifolium (Towerkop), Klein Swartberg

80 to go to 90 000:
one of the Warthogs from Addo NP by Gabi Miebach on 18th December at 18h59 from Addo-Elefanten-Nationalpark

75 to go to 90 000:
Pterygodium acutifolium by KlausWehrlin on 18th December at 19h23 from Greyton Nature Reserve, Wa en Osse

70 to go to 90 000:
Rooibaadjie by Maritza on 18th December at 21h13 from Sabi Sand Elephant Plains

60 to go to 90 000:
Leucadendron uliginosum subsp. ulignosum by Nicky on 18th December at 22h12 from Robinson Pass in the Outeniqua Mountains

50 to go to 90 000:
Passer diffusus subsp. stygiceps by Gigi on 19th December at 07h36 from Paardeberg, Paarl

40 to go to 90 000:
Big Three: Rhino by Wynand Uys on 19th December at 09h38 from Greater Kruger Region

30 to go to 90 000:
Clouded Forester by Maritza on 19th December at 13h04 from Blyderiver

25 to go to 90 000:
Dark-webbed Ringlet by Maritza on 19th December at 14h42 from Blyderiver

20 to go to 90 000:
Stalked Slime Mold sporangia by Wynand Uys on 19th December at 15h15 from Blyde River Near Hoedspruit

10 to go to 90 000 with:
Hypolimnas misippus by Phoenix on 19th December at 16h36 from 24 Rivers, Waterberg, Limpopo

5 to go to 90 000:
Cryptolepis in Mountainlands by Cassine on 19th December at 17h50 from Barberton, Mountainlands NR

4 to go to 90 000:
Mountainlands NR by Cassine on 19th December at 18h05 from Barberton, Mountainlands NR

3 to go to 90 000:
Ledebouria in Mountainlands by Cassine on 19th December at 18h13 from Barberton, Mountainlands NR

2 to go to 90 000:
Hypoxis in Mountainlands by Cassine on 19th December at 18h21 from Barberton, Mountainlands NR

1 to go to 90 000:
Fabaceae in Mountainlands by Cassine on 19th December at 18h30 from Barberton, Mountainlands NR

90 000 OBSERVATIONS !!! !!:

Dipcadi in Mountainlands by Cassine on 19th December at 18h39 from Barberton, Mountainlands NR

We reached 200 000 Images on iSpot sometime on Monday 23 December 2013

Thank you everyone!

Almost time to start the countdown to 100 000 Observations! Should be there in February!!
24/12/2013 13h40: 100 to go to 91 000 and the countdown can begin perhaps even today ...

Countdown to 100 000 observations:

10 000 to go to 100 000 Observations:
Dipcadi in Mountainlands by Cassine on 19th December at 18h39 from Barberton, Mountainlands NR

9 000 to go to 100 000 Observations:
Velvet Mite by Ryan van Huyssteen on 25th December at 00h15 from Masebe Nature Reserve

Update: 29 December

So new monthly records for:
* Amphibians and Reptiles: 758 observations (previous 474 - Oct 2013)
* Fish: 37 observations (previous 34 - Dec 2012)
* Invertebrates: 921 observations (previous 901 - Feb 2013) - 79 short of 1000!!

Birds: 11th highest
Fungi and Lichens: 11th highest
Mammals: 13th highest
Plants: 13th highest
Others: 1 observation: lowest since May 2012

Milestones:
Fish - just popped 400 observations
Fungi and Lichens - just popped 3900 observations

Still time - 2 days - to raise the bar or set new records!

8 000 to go to 100 000 Observations:
Dense Aristea by tony rebelo on 31st December at 01h37 from Middagberg summits ridge Kleindrakenstein Mtns FR607

ISPOT end of 2013 STATE OF ART

(data dump 9 Jan)
compiling these stats is tricky database querying: if you suspect a problem, please tell us

Observations: 93 710
Identifications: 117770 (of which 89 350 are "Likely")
Agreements: 183 078
Comments: 90 315
Interactions: 1 153

GROUP SUMMARIES:

Observations per Group:

4 862 Amphibians and Reptiles
7 555 Birds
399 Fish
3 943 Fungi and Lichens
14 122 Invertebrates
2 661 Mammals
92 Other organisms
60 076 Plants

Observations per Group linked to dictionary:

54 305 Plants
10 237 Insects

7 348 Birds
4 599 Amphibians and Reptiles
2 498 Mammals
1 702 Chelicerae
1 470 Fungi and Lichens

367 Fish
179 Molluscs
128 Invertebrates
114 Crustaceans
64 Bacteria
58 Other organisms

15 Null

Taxa on iSpot (Taxa: includes IDs to genus and Family – only those linked to dictionary)

10 583 Plants
3 019 (not linked to dictionary)
1 833 Insects
876 Birds
375 Amphibians and Reptiles
298 Chelicerae
294 Fungi and Lichens
249 Mammals
220 Fish
59 Other Invertebrates
57 Molluscs
30 Crustaceans
29 Other organisms
1 Bacteria
1 Null

Species on iSpot: (terminal taxa only, incl. subspecies and varieties – i.e. finest level possible, – only those linked to dictionary)

7 679 Plants
1 473 Insects

696 Birds
288 Amphibians and Reptiles
258 Chelicerae
211 Fungi and Lichens
197 Mammals
191 Fish

50 Molluscs
43 Invertebrates
28 Other organisms
25 Crustaceans
1 Bacteria

Level of ID per group: (observations – only those linked to dictionary)

Plants
20 Phylum
6 Subphylum
1 Subkingdom
1 Kingdom
1 Subkingdom
9 Division
1 Clade
7 Class
6 Order
384 Family
18 Subfamily
4 841 Genus
57 677 Species

Other organisms
3 Class
9 Genus
46 Species

Molluscs
2 Phylum
10 Class
6 Subclass
3 Suborder
10 Family
36 Genus
94 Species

Mammals
2 Order
3 Suborder
1 SuperFamily
28 Family
1 Subfamily
22 Genus
2 313 Species

Invertebrates
6 Phylum
18 Class
12 Subclass
11 Order
11 Genus
35 Species

Insects
1 Subphylum
2 Clade
29 Class
690 Order
44 Suborder
1 Infraorder
23 EpiFamily
70 SuperFamily
2 863 Family
305 Subfamily
197 Tribe
978 Genus
3 679 Species

Fungi and Lichens
1 Kingdom
4 Phylum
24 Order
8 Family
685 Genus
724 Species

Fish
9 Family
8 Genus
352 Species

Crustacea
3 Class
8 Infraorder
8 Order
10 Family
3 Species

Chelicerae
45 Class
23 Subclass
197 Order
6 Suborder
399 Family
379 Genus
590 Species

Birds
2 Class
8 Family
23 Genus
7 296 Species

Amphibians and Reptiles
4 Order
2 Suborder
10 Family
39 Genus
4525 Species

SPECIES SUMMARIES:

Most observed taxa: (>100)

1831 Western Leopard Toad Amietophrynus pantherinus
390 Butterflies and Moths Lepidoptera
242 (not identified!)
154 Common Sunshine Conebush Leucadendron salignum
146 Monkeybeetles Hopliini
135 Moths Noctuidae
133 Common Sugarbush Protea repens
130 Grasshoppers Acrididae
122 Angulate Tortoise Chersina angulata
121 Round Sorrel Oxalis obtusa
109 Fountainbushes Psoralea
108 Spiders Araneae
107 Dolls Roses Hermannia
106 Wagontree Protea nitida
104 Everlastings Helichrysum
101 Cape Honeybee Apis mellifera subsp. capensis
101 Daisies Asteraceae

Top most agreed species for an observation: (>13)

16 Silvertree Leucadendron argenteum
16 Puffadder Bitis arietans subsp. arietans (& 14)

15 Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus
15 Spoonbill Platalea alba
15 Oystercatcher Haematopus moquinii (X2 & 14)
15 Ground Hornbill Bucorvus leadbeateri
15 Hadedah Bostrychia hagedash subsp. hagedash (& 14)
15 Thicknee Burhinus capensis subsp. capensis
15 Egyption Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca (X2)

14 Secretary Bird Sagittarius serpentarius
14 Penguin Spheniscus demersus
14 Hoepoe Upupa africana (X2)
14 Halfmens Pachypodium namaquanum
14 Fish Eagle Haliaeetus vocifer
14 Quivertree Aloe dichotoma

Species with the most total agreements: (>450)

2339 Western Leopard Toad Amietophrynus pantherinus
618 Angulate Tortoise Chersina angulata
577 Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca
573 Puffadder Bitis arietans subsp. arietans
559 Cape Sugarbird Promerops cafer
522 King Protea Protea cynaroides
518 Spotted Eagle Owl Bubo africanus
511 Common Sugarbush Protea repens
495 Fire Heath Erica cerinthoides var. cerinthoides
469 Elephant Loxodonta africana
456 Oystercatcher Haematopus moquini

OBSERVER SUMMARIES:

Observations per Observer: (>=1000)

19 075 tony rebelo
6 129 Nicky
3 130 Brian KD2
2 863 outramps
2 624 Marion Maclean
1 829 Judd Kirkel W
1 315 Gawie
1 290 Wynand Uys
1 181 PieterMier
1 116 marlandza
1 070 Alex Dreyer
1 000 Charles Stirton

Identifications per Observer: (>1500)

12 267 tony rebelo
6 541 Nicky
4 533 Judd Kirkel W
4 205 Marion Maclean
4 015 Brian KD2
3 640 outramps
3 427 Alex Dreyer
3 126 Riaan Stals
1 924 Charles Stirton
1 877 Wynand Uys
1 823 vynbos
1 672 Andrew Hankey
1 545 marlandza

Agreements per Observer: (>3000)

31 592 tony rebelo
10 858 Marion Maclean
9 640 Nicky
8 523 Alex Dreyer
8 264 outramps
8 031 Riaan Stals
7 438 Brian KD2
4 808 Kenneth Oberlander
4 505 Charles Stirton
4 431 Alan Horstmann
3 905 Wynand Uys
3 145 Judd Kirkel W

Comments per Observer: (>1000)

29 668 tony rebelo
5 935 vynbos
5 528 Riaan Stals
3 321 Marion Maclean
2 330 Wynand Uys
1 968 marlandza
1 967 Lee Jones
1 815 magrietb
1 642 Prix Burgoyne
1 541 Brian KD2
1 529 outramps
1 485 Judd Kirkel W
1 192 rudi von staden

Reputation
Reputation on iSpot is based on the number of observers – weighted by their reputation - who agree with posted Identifications made by the observer. "Experts" thus confer greater reputation, but their reputation score depends on the number of identifications they make agreed to by other experts, which for some specialists may be minimal.

Reputation for PLANTS: (top 10)

4735 Nicky
4230 outramps
3842 tony rebelo
2842 Brian KD2
2509 Judd Kirkel W
1475 Marion Maclean
1194 Alan Horstmann
1106 Alex Dreyer
1089 vynbos
1038 johanbaard

Reputation for MAMMALS: (top 10)

209 Alex Dreyer
181 tony rebelo
153 Brian KD2
126 Marion Maclean
41 Wynand Uys
40 Gerhard Diedericks
40 kenm
39 Gawie
33 Francois Kriel
32 Andrew Deacon

Reputation for INVERTEBRATES: (top 10)

1150 rjpretor
955 Riaan Stals
840 tony rebelo
760 Wynand Uys
635 Alex Dreyer
539 Brian KD2
535 Marion Maclean
523 Nicky
449 vynbos
361 Maritza
301 Lee Jones

Reputation for FUNGI & LICHENS: (top 10)

121 Gaby
70 Nicky
61 Lizzie
51 marlandza
28 tony rebelo
17 flaxton
14 mark1985
12 Wynand Uys
11 Brian KD2
8 Jannie Groenewald

Reputation for FISH: (top 10)

34 Andrew Deacon
20 Brian KD2
14 Wynand Uys
8.0 riaan van der walt
7.5 Alan Horstmann
5.5 Gerhard Diedericks
4.5 Grant Smith
4.0 Alex Dreyer
4.0 tony rebelo
3.5 Roy Marlow

Reputation for BIRDS: (top 10)

1336 Brian KD2
913 Marion Maclean
591 Alex Dreyer
581 rudi von staden
351 tony rebelo
307 Riaan Stals
306 Nicky
274 Gigi
272 Gerrie Horn
271 Wynand Uys

Reputation for HERPS: (top 10)

146 tony rebelo
95 Sediqa Khatieb
80 Alex Dreyer
68 Luke Bax
62 Ryan van Huyssteen
60 Alexander
52 Brian KD2
35 Grant Smith
33 Marion Maclean
32 Andreas Meyer

Observers per Society: (>=10)

98 South African National Biodiversity Institute
91 Custodians of Rare and Endangered Wildflowers
80 Botanical Society of South Africa
43 Cape Nature
37 City of Cape Town Biodiversity Management Branch
23 South African National Parks Honorary Rangers
18 Protea Atlas Project
17 South African National Parks
14 BirdLife South Africa
13 Cape Bird Club
13 EThekwini Municipality Biodiversity, Climate & Gre
12 Botanical Society of South Africa A-team
12 Spider Club of South Africa
11 Mountain Club of SA (Cape Town)
10 Friends of Tokai Park

Statistics by Society (members contributions): (>=10)

Observations Agreements Identifications Comments Society
22344 45285 28088 15930 Custodians of Rare and Endangered Wildflowers
19187 42524 16876 35840 Entomological Society of Southern Africa
20779 42320 26386 10552 Botanical Society of South Africa
23872 41605 18747 31893 Protea Atlas Project
23639 39853 20188 33007 South African National Biodiversity Institute
20015 34708 13289 30244 Cape Bird Club
20104 34669 13524 30040 Friends of Tokai Park
19844 32171 13102 29838 Toyota Enviro Outreach
20167 32136 13367 30130 South African National Parks Honorary Rangers
19448 31729 12639 29762 Cedarberg Adventure
19316 31620 12463 29712 Botanical Society of South Africa A-team
9019 17906 10201 2013 Mountain Club of SA (South Cape)
7414 15187 8997 1370 Succulent Society of South Africa
2332 14248 7907 8722 Lepidopterists' Society of Africa
1203 6965 2597 880 Indigenous Bulb Association of South Africa
1537 6619 2712 1171 Overberg Lowlands Conservation Trust
2306 4168 2573 1686 Mountain Club of SA (Cape Town)
1648 4019 2257 2431 Kruger2Canyons
1499 3313 1736 1301 BirdLife South Africa

Observer stated time zones: (>5)

2 583 Africa/Johannesburg
1 378 Europe/London
456 (unspecified)

34 Africa/Harare
21 Europe/Berlin
13 America/New_York
12 Europe/Paris
12 Africa/Windhoek

8 Africa/Cairo
7 Europe/Zurich
7 America/Los_Angeles
7 Europe/Warsaw
7 Africa/Gaborone
7 Europe/Amsterdam

MISCELLANEOUS SUMMARIES:

Most used Tags: (>200)

2 095 Alien
1 940 GreatNatureProject
1 637 WLT Monitoring

489 Saldanha limestone strandveld
444 Overberg Renosterveld Project
400 indigenous

386 Bioblitz-Hagelkraal-8Aug
359 Bioblitz-ElandsbergSeptember2012
354 Montagu Moths

296 Fabaceae
278 Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden
220 Bioblitz-RomansrivierOctober2012
216 iSpot Launch Celebratory Observations
210 Bioblitz-RondevleiOctober2012
207 Toyota Enviro Outreach 2012

Comments per observation:

Most comments : 71
Observations with more than 50: 6
Observations with more than 2: 11 633
Observations with comments: 28 378

Highest Monthly totals: (observations)
(see graphs at http://ispot.org.za/Stats%20update)

Highest to date - October 2013: 6297
2012 - was December: 4536
2011 – was October: 1464

New observers per month:
Highest to date – October 2013: 276
2012 - was October: 212
2011 – was November: 58

identification rates:

Average time to an ID: 12.5 days
Quarter of identifications are made within: 0 seconds
Half of identifications are made within: 0 seconds
75% of identifications are made within: 4.02 hours
80% of identifications are made within: 8.9 hours
90% of identifications are made within: 7 days
95% of identifications are made within: 47 days
99% of identifications are made within: 357 days

4017 (4.2%) observations have not yet been identified
of these:
145 are less than 10 days old;
305 are less than 1 month old;
half are less than 1 year;
3116 are less than 500 days.

January Statistics

2013 statistics here

Countdown to 100 000 observations:

10 000 to go to 100 000 Observations:
Dipcadi in Mountainlands by Cassine on 19th December at 18h39 from Barberton, Mountainlands NR

9 000 to go to 100 000 Observations:
Velvet Mite by Ryan van Huyssteen on 25th December at 00h15 from Masebe Nature Reserve

January

8 000 to go to 100 000 Observations:
Dense Aristea by tony rebelo on 31st December at 01h37 from Middagberg summits ridge Kleindrakenstein Mtns FR607

7 000 to go to 100 000 Observations:
Monkeybeetle on Mirrorface by tony rebelo on 04th January at 06h23 from Middagberg neck Kleindrakenstein Mtns FR645

Mammals hit an average of 8 observations per species with Impala by Gawie on 06th January from Kruger National Park

6 000 to go to 100 000 Observations:
Ledebouria by Robbert.Duker on 10th January at 14h36 from R400, Somerset East

5 000 to go to 100 000 Observations:
Cycad Weevil by Joanette Le Cornu on 15th January at 13h00 from 28ste laan, Pretoria

4 000 to go to 100 000 Observations:
Cape Box Thorn by Andrew Hankey on 22th January at 16h00 from Park St, Myburgh Park

Jan 25 summary:

What records will we break this month?

Already invertebrates has blown the graph: at 1051 observations this month it is already 80 higher than the previous record (last month) which is over 40 observations per day!! Well done everyone and especially our lowveld team!!

No other group is projected to break any records, but a few might make second highest: birds, total.

All in all an exciting month. Please dont forget to post your nominations for best observation at http://ispot.org.za/node/232541

3 000 to go to 100 000 Observations:
Granite Limpet by tony rebelo on 29th January at 00h54 from Venus Pool Cape of Good Hope

2 500 to go to 100 000 Observations:
Metallic-blue winged wasp by rianabater on 1st February at 10h52 from R555, Middelburg

2 000 to go to 100 000 Observations:
Lizzards by Maphisa David on 3rd February at 17h42 from R33, Pomeroy

1 000 to go to 100 000 Observations:
Bulbinella barkerae by Nick Helme on 9th February at 14h59 from Lausanne, Caledon Ruens

900 to go to 100 000 Observations:
Protea repens, Kloof Neck - 2003 by Marlandza on 10th February at 02h01 from Signal Hill Rd, Table Mountain National Park

800 to go to 100 000 Observations:
Blue Wildebeest & Springbuck by rudi@capenature on 10th February at 15h34 from Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

700 to go to 100 000 Observations:
Leucadendron microcephalum or laureolum by Protea on 10th February at 18h41 from Stellenbosch, Kapweinland

600 to go to 100 000 Observations:
Plant11 Capegorse by LiezelK on 11th February at 12h08 from Main Rd, Ceres

5000 users:
5000 users: welcome tasja

500 to go to 100 000 Observations:
Frog by guido.coza on 12th February at 09h05 from Port St Johns

400 to go to 100 000 Observations:
Regal Chafer by guido.coza on 12th February at 17h23 from Masebe Nature Reserve

300 to go to 100 000 Observations:
Pretoriuskop 318 by RoyStrover on 13th February at 10h38 from Skukuza Camping, Kruger National Park

200 to go to 100 000 Observations:
Cylindrophyllum tugwelliae by Nick Helme on 12th February at 16h43 from N1, Laingsburg

100 to go to 100 000 Observations:
Weed#12 by Andrea Cowan on 14th February at 14h30 from Unnamed Road, Wynberg NU (2)

50 to go to 100 000 Observations:
Grey-backed Sparrowlark Male by Gigi on 15th February at 12h09 from South of Malmesbury Area

20 to go to 100 000 Observations:
Battling Glider, Denneoord Forest, George by Colin Ralston on 15th February at 15h43 from 46, Biesie Ave

10 to go to 100 000 Observations:
Common Diadem (female) at garden Route by Colin Ralston on 15th February at 16h24 from Garden Route Botanical Gardens

5 to go to 100 000 Observations:
Daubenya zeyheri by Nick Helme on 15th February at 16h46 from Kraalbaai, WCNP

100 000 OBSERVATIONS:
Red-capped Lark Adult with youngster by Gigi on 15th February at 16h49 from South of Malmesbury Area

March end Statistics

Another record month, with some great results.

Underperformers:
Other: only 5
Herps: cannot match the Leopard Toad months: 181 observations - 10th highest to date.

Also ran:
Plants: 5th highest to date with 3026 observations: that is 4 short of 100 per day.

Top performers - each in 2nd highest monthly total to date:
Birds: 456
Mammals: 196

TOP TOP:
Fish: 237 - previous highest: 42 (last month)
Fungi: 434 - previous highest: 345 (Dec 2012)
Invertebrates: 1540 - previous highest: 1345 (Jan 2013)

What an amazing achievement!
And the overall:

6075 - almost 200 observations per day for March!
2nd highest monthly total (Oct 2014 was 6300)

This was in large part due to the launch of Seakeys which resulted in almost 450 observations in March.
see http://ispot.org.za/SeaKeys

Thank you everyone involved.
Without you, iSpot would not even exist!!

Summary stats:

users: 5 579

observations: 108 017
determinations: 136 625
agreements: 211 050
images: 242 466

The unheard of has happened. This month we have more Invertebrate observations on iSpot than Plants!!

Is iSpot becoming an invertebrate site?