ProyectoAVIS.com is a collaborative database on georeferenced bird observations from Spain. The database is based on the observations provided by the own users and the associated NGO. The stored data are immediately available for the general public through the web interface, also including tools for statistical analysis. Our aim is that ProyectoAvis becomes a reference and consultation place where birdwatchers, naturalists and researchers can find and exchange information. Gathering small efforts, these data, originally scattered, can be used with educational, scientific, technical or conservation objectives.

Whereas this sampling method offers many advantages, it is necessary to also admit its flaws. Well-planned field works with a proper methodology are irreplaceable in several cases. However, depending on the specific objectives, it could be interesting to have data not restricted to geographic or temporal frameworks. In these cases, it is advantageous to have the information stored in this collaborative database at one's disposal. Nevertheless, as a field work must be properly designed under certain criteria, the way one uses the information stored in this kind of databases must be defined on the basis of the own researcher criteria. Leaving these considerations for scientific researchs or technical reports aside, for birdwatchers and naturalists the web is a nice way to know what species could be found in a certain area before going there, or to keep track of their personal observations, to compare them with other years, to detect picks within the migration phenology, etc...

The starting point of ProyectoAvis was a friend meeting in Navarra in 2005. Despite after that date similar webs have been launched, at that time a web to compile bird observations across Spain was not available. Although the webs from several associations published results from their respective works, a tool to pool ornithological data did not exists, at least as we thought it should be from a scientific and systematic point of view.

Following other collaborative projects like Wikipedia, the Anthos project carried out by the Real Jardin Botánico (Spanish Royal Botanic Garden), or even the SETI project, that at that time started using the distributed computing, as examples, we realized the potential of the nternet for collecting data on biodiversity, and particularly on ornithology. Birds are a zoological group particularly suitable for data collection, as they are easily detected and amateur birdwatchers are numerous. Even more, birdwatching is a way of sustainable tourism that supports the conservation of nature.

The project has been enriched with the contributions of the collaborators and associated NGO, with which we have worked and learned from each other. Recently, we have gone a step further, specifically oriented to research, with the development of the R package called rAVIS that allows the use of the information from ProyectoAvis with R, an open source statistical tool. The R package was described in an article published in PLoS ONE, a peer-reviewed scientific journal.

We would like to take advantage to thank all people that have contributed in some way, with their work, their comments or recording observations. We hope to continue with all of you and to continue growing day by day.