Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am interested to learn what types of field equipment and note formats people are using . I wish to put together a new field kit (I have not had an actual field kit in years). Years ago when I did this my kit included mercury thermometers and sling psychrometers etc. Today I expect digital equipment and GPS units etc to be common. I am hoping some of you will share what equipment you have found to be useful and what types of notes you are using. What compact digital cameras, GPS devices, etc. have proven themselves best for this application? I am sure many old and new herpers will benefit from this thread.

The kit I am planning currently includes:
Thermometer (or dry bulb of sling psychrometer)
sling psychrometer (I have an excellent one but its big)
small plain notebook and pencils(I would like to fine tune my notebook format)
field guide (Stebbins)
compact digital camera
small metric ruler
carrying case or pack for all the above

Some adjuncts to my field kit:
watch
appropriate maps
compass
digital SLR camera

Things I need to learn:
Modern substitutes for weather measurements
GPS devices and applications

LOL, I am so old school, hook, pad and pencil, watch, cell phone, camera. I get my info for the hunt the previous night, but the truck has a thermometer. I will be using a temp gun this summer, and the first aid kit is always in the truck. A small flashlight usually rounds up my equipment, all but the camera, hook and truck fit in my pockets! I take notes of when and where, sex, rounded off size, species, time, temp, and weather conditions. no fancy stuff for me this year I'm afraid!
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Todd Hughes

flashlight
hat
snake bags
Formaldehyde
small notebook
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"Wake me when its April"

Doug L

-Snake Hook
-Tongs if hots are the target species
-Digital Thermometer
-Tape Measure
-Digital Scale and Small Plastic Containers (to contain animals for weighing)
-GPS
-Note Pad and Pencil
-Digital Camera
-Work Gloves
-Field Guides
-Valid Fishing License (California)
-Dip Nets if in aquatic habitat
-Flashlight
-Headlamp
-Lizard Noose
-Containers if any specimens are to be collected

I get most of my basic weather info from weather.com (humidity, barometric pressure, lunar phase, etc...)

I fit it all into a backpack full of water, snacks, and whatever extra "hooks and tools" I may need to get something out of a rock crevice or impossible to reach area...

My notes are pretty basic but I would IDEALLY record: date, time, air temps, ground temps, body temps, humidity, barometric pressure, species/subspecies, latitude/longitude, elevation, sex, size/age, collection method, and any notes as far as specific location or behaviors observed. I also use my camera to get exact photos of where the animal was found, wide shots of the general habitat, and several photos of the animal itself.

THEN, I upload my data into the naherp.com database and record them on my computer in my own database...

Hope this helps,
-Joe-