iSpot
What is iSpot?
iSpot is a website aimed at helping anyone identify anything in nature. The iSpot web address is www.ispot.org.za
You can add an observation to the website and suggest an identification yourself or see if anyone else can identify it for you.
You can also help others by adding an identification to an existing observation, which you may like to do as your knowledge grows. Your reputation on the site will grow as people agree with you identifications.
You may also like to visit our forums which offer lively debate around observations and other more general topics.
What happens on iSpot?
People upload their observations of nature, help each other identify it, and share and discuss what they've seen.
The best place to start is to look at some of the latest observations - you can see what people are observing right now. Anyone can see what's on the site without registering - just go to the home page, and click on the photos for the latest observations, or on the species-group icons just below.
We'd love you to make use of the site yourself, by showing your own observations, or commenting on other people's and helping them to identify what they've found. To do this you can either register yourself, or use the Friends of Rietvlei registration - see below for details
Then the next thing to do is to get outside and make some observations. You need to note down what you've seen, where you've seen it, and when you saw it. If you can take a digital photograph of it that is very helpful, and allows others to share what you've seen.
Then upload your observation on the iSpot website. Click Add an observation, fill in the form, and you're away!
For help and advice on what to spot, where to see it, and how to identify it, go to the top of the page on the iSpot website and click on the Groups menu - select which of the eight iSpot wildlife groups you are interested in.
How do I participate in iSpot?
Members of Friends of Rietvlei can make use of our login and submit their observations. Your observation will be identified by the appearance of the Friends of Rietvlei 'badge' with your entry on the iSpot website; our badge is shown here.
If you want to use the Friends of Rietvlei login, please email us your request and tell us what your main interests are. We will email you the login user name and password to use. Email info@friendsofrietvlei.co.za.
You can also register on iSpot in your own name - this is totally free, and does not commit you to anything. All you need to provide is a user name, an email address, and a password.
By participating in iSpot you can make a real difference and add to our knowledge of plants and animals, particularly their distribution in situations where many plants and animals are under threat.