20,000 Research-Grade records, 17 Sep 2024
It's just a personal achievement, but I reached 20,000 Research Grade records with this Pipevine Swallowtail record found on 15 Sep, uploaded on 16 Sep, and RGed on 17 Sep 2024.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/242196728
I suppose my next target should be 2,500 Research-Grade species. Currently I'm at 2,319 RG species, so attaining my next target will take more than a year. (On the other hand, I'll bet I have 30-40 species more than I am aware, as somebody may RG a record that I posted a year or two ago). I spent Christmas Day, 2023 going through all my RGed species, comparing them with the Excel spreadsheet that I use to keep track of my lifers. I found many species that I did not know were lifers. Then I spent 12 days "tagging" experts to reduce my "Needs ID" list. I added 117 more lifers through this effort! I expect to perform the same actions this coming Christmas. So, it may not take nearly as long for me to attain 2,500 RGed species.
As I upload many records within a short period, my list of "Needs ID" records has grown to a very depressing level. I tried to keep my "Needs ID" list under 1,000 records, but it is currently 3,572 records of 1,034 species! I'll guess that more than 300 of these records would be lifers if the identification is accurate and then was seconded by an expert. I find my "Needs ID" list to be very frustrating.
