Last week I saw a new bird for me, a lifer. Yup, I had never before seen a Mourning Warbler. When I saw the little bird flitting around the thicket through which I was hiking, I had no idea what it was. Out pops my phone, and I pulled up the app, Merlin, and specifically Sound ID (see my full review of Sound ID). Merlin correctly identified the Mourning Warbler by its chipping song. I was impressed, and if you don’t have this tool on your phone, get it (Android or Apple)! Just point your phone at the bird song and press record.
A Screenshot from my “Mourning Experience”
One Image
Back in the beginning of June our visiting friend identified the Mourning Warbler that was singing in the trees using Birdnet (did they use this to add sound to Merlin?), while we had been assuming this bird that had been hanging around was a Nashville (as we have had quite a few of those the last couple of years). We are on the upper side of the freeway past French River. (51 species since April on our road).
Birdnet is a Cornell research project. Based upon all the fine data gathered Merlin was upgraded to include Sound ID. Think of Birdnet as beta software, and Merlin as formally released code.
I think the sound app is a game changer and also a great learning tool.
I have this Ap and it works really well. Anxious to use it in Florida.
I have been thoroughly enjoying the Merlin Sound ID app for the past month. These little Mourning Warblers (ID’d by the app) have been flitting around my yard and out from my crabapple tree, trying to kiss their reflection in my kitchen window. I started my Life List and have 23 birds on it so far, most seen and heard on my 2 1/4 mile early morning walk. So much fun to know who is singing in the woods.