Web buzz: Follow that bird you've spotted

By Jen Leo - 10/08/2008

Birders rejoice. BirdPost.com is a new Web site that unites birders the world over. Keep track of birds you've spotted and view Google satellite maps to discover what types of birds you might see on your next trip.

What's hot: Even though this is a niche Web site, it doesn't feel like a clique. Upload or click on bird photos and names to create a "lifelist" of bird sightings and search for birds by regions or characteristics to find out what birds you can expect to see at your destination. You also can set up a rare-bird alert that sends you coordinates of the winged friends you want to see.

What's not: When you search for a bird, you get a picture, but descriptive text would be good, too. The regional checklists are helpful (you can narrow your post-travel search, because you know where you've been), but sometimes, I couldn't find the bird. Don't give up. When I typed "Kingfisher" in the main search bar, up popped a picture of the bird I saw in the Northern Territory — the Azure kingfisher.