Adding records with date ranges or 'vague dates'

If you need to add records for a date range (e.g. from pitfall traps) or using a 'vague date' (e.g. where only the year or month is known, not a precise date) you can do so.

Once logged in to iRecord, click on the "My account" link at the top-right of the screen, and then click on the Edit tab. In the section "User Interface Options" you can choose to enable or disable the use of 'vague dates' for most recording forms.

Setting to allow vague date entry

The following date formats should be accepted (but please let us know if you encounter any problems with these):

  • Standard date: 23/03/1987
  • Standard date range: 23/03/1987 to 30/03/1987
  • Month: Mar 1987
  • Month range: Mar 1987 to Jun 1987
  • Season + year: Summer 1987
  • Year: 1987
  • Year range: 1981 to 1987
  • Up to year: -1987
  • Unknown: Unknown (or just “U”)

Alternatively, if you don't wish to enable vague dates for the standard forms, you can use a custom form available in the Activities list. It is called "Enter a list of records for a site using a date range". You can find this by going to Activities - Browse all activities, and searching for the word "vague". Or go direct to this link: http://www.brc.ac.uk/irecord/enter-records-vague-date?group_id=597&implicit=f

This form is identical to the main "Enter a list of records" form, except that it accepts ranges and vague dates.