One of our first R&D projects, the creation of a digital birding tool, has begun testing. This tool comprises of a PDA-style handheld phone, on which specific forms for the collection of bird data from surveys have been created. The unit can also take low-resolution photographs, for use as habitat descriptors or just as reminders, and can also record the calls of birds. Testing is envisaged to take place over the next few weeks to streamline data entry and to upgrade the user-friendliness of the system. A future upgrade is planned to integrate a GPS with the device.