Dear birdJammers,

We hope you had a good holiday season, and know that many of you are already thinking about Spring Migration 2008. As you prepare for the upcoming season, here are a few notes that may be of interest.

More Photos Available for Download:

We continue to chip away at the remaining list of missing photos, and we're adding them regularly to birdJam Maker. Just go to our Upgrade Page to download (FREE!) the latest version of birdJam which will include the photos. We embedded the photos into birdJam Maker to make it even easier to download and install them. We anticipate having all the photos available by some time in the spring.

birdJam for Costa Rica Now Available:

Jay has just completed birdJam for Costa Rica birds, Windows edition. This latest module formats and organizes bird songs from the "Voices of Costa Rican Birds: Caribbean Slope," CD set by David L. Ross, Jr. and Bret M. Whitney. This two-CD set published by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology includes songs and calls for 220 commonly-heard birds, as well as less-frequently heard species.

This new birdJam module is priced at $19.99, and the CD set is $29.95. Both can be ordered from www.birdjam.com. The Mac version will be available shortly for both the Costa Rica and Southeast Arizona/Sonora, Mexico birdJam modules. The birdJam for SW Birds Module (Windows version) was released in December.

SPEAKER UPDATE

New Model iMainGo:

The folks at Sound Laboratories continue to tell us that the new model of iMainGo speaker should be available around March 1st. The new model should have a bigger space to accommodate the iPod Touch and iPhone, and include a redesigned transparent screen that should work better with the iPod Classic and other models.

Super Compact Speaker:

We've also just started carrying a "super compact" micro speaker that is super light, super small and super convenient. Requiring just one AAA battery (not included), the "MicroSound" from Miglia will work with all model iPods.

The packaging says it is for Nanos and Shuffles, but we've tested it with all models with good results. (Does NOT work with the iPhone) Measuring just 2.25" x 1" x .75", this little baby is great for sharing bird songs at close range. Retailing at $29.99, it tested well with high-pitched warblers, but as you'd expect with something so small, it was a bit challenged by deep owl calls.

Atlanta Audubon Photography Contest:

For all you photographers, Atlanta Audubon is currently accepting entries for its 2008 Photography Contest. Entries are due by February 25th; photos must have been taken since Jan. 1, 2007. For more information.

birdJam 2008 Survey:

We'll distribute the 2008 birdJam Survey in the next few weeks, and we hope that you will participate. We were so gratified that a phenomenal 25% of birdJammers completed the survey last year, and we hope for high participation again this year. As requested by many of you, this year the free t-shirt will sport the whimsical birdJam bird with its iPod earbuds.

birdJam and Audubon Magazine:

We are extending our advertising, and if you read Audubon Magazine, you may see our ad in the March/April issue. We don't yet know the page, but we're delighted to have space in this wonderful publication! We'll meet you there!

Roger Tory Peterson Centennial Celebration:

2008 is the "Big 1-0-0" celebration for Roger Tory Peterson (RTP). The RTP Institute has year-long events/activities planned. More information. This year, Houghton Mifflin will deliver an updated version of RTP's Field Guide that will be complete with Video Podcasts for viewing on your iPods. These 35+ podcasts will be great learning tools with in-depth information to perk up your identification skills. Best of all, we plan to have them downloadable from our web site!

Shuffle Within a Playlist:

For those of you who have updated your iTunes installations, you may be pleased to know that you can now shuffle within individual playlists. This means that you can now select Shuffle from the Main iPod screen, select a playlist, and your iPod will randomly play songs from within that specific playlist. Very cool if you want to study warblers, for example.

Turn Off the Clicker Sound:

Several of you have asked us how to turn off the "Clicker" sound as you scroll through choices on your iPod. Just push the Menu button on the click wheel until you reach the "top" iPod screen. Scroll down to Settings and select it. Then scroll down to "Clicker" and push the center of the click wheel until you find the option that suits you bestÑwhich may be "Off"!

Remember that Apple Support has a wealth of information about iPods and how to use them. They even have extensive manuals (or feature guides as they call them) if you yearn for in-depth information.

As always, we look forward to hearing from you and wish you all the best. We're working hard to keep improving birdJam products and services so you're always ready to go!

With many thanks, Denese, Jay and Charlie