As the Biggest Week in American Birding draws to a close, enthusiasts can continue their avian adventures through a variety of mobile applications designed to enhance the birding experience. Deb Nofzinger, a naturalist with the Sandusky County Park District, and Dave Wilkins, an avid birder who monitors several birding websites, have shared their top app recommendations.
Essential Apps for Birding Enthusiasts
Two standout applications are eBird and Merlin Bird ID, both affiliated with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. While Merlin offers a free trial, it does come with a cost thereafter. In contrast, eBird is widely embraced by the birding community and operates on a donation model, providing users with various perks based on their contribution level.
Wilkins, showcasing his competitive spirit, mentioned his recent achievement of identifying 64 bird species at Creek Bend Farms just days before their conversation. “Lifetime? Yeah, I’ve got an app,” he quipped, highlighting the extensive utility of technology in modern birding. “There’s an app for everything, man,” Nofzinger added, emphasizing the integration of these tools into their birding routines.
The eBird app excels in statistical tracking, allowing users to maintain detailed bird lists, complete with photos and sounds, while also exploring the latest sightings. “eBird is nice because you can create a Lifelist on it. There are birders who will go out and keep track of every single bird that they have ever seen,” Nofzinger explained.
Wilkins proudly noted, “Two hundred thirty-nine; that’s the number of checklists I’ve done here,” referring to his activity at Creek Bend Farm Park. He clarified that this figure doesn’t account for all his visits, as he has spotted 137 species in that location alone.
One particularly popular feature of eBird is the Hotspot function, which identifies prime birding locations. Earth Heart Farms, for instance, is recognized as a local hotspot, boasting a rich variety of bird species while remaining relatively undisturbed by heavy birder traffic. The eBird platform indicates that 149 species have been recorded there since its addition, with 78 identified this year alone.
In contrast, the Merlin Bird ID app offers a sound identification feature, capable of recognizing calls from 1,382 bird species. “In my opinion, it is 95%-97% accurate,” Wilkins stated, noting its reliability in familiar environments like Creek Bend Farm Park. He demonstrated the app’s capabilities by identifying a Tennessee warbler amidst the dense foliage, which can often complicate visual identification.
“Which then pushes you to start learning their songs,” Nofzinger remarked, highlighting the educational aspect of using such technology. She also appreciates the opportunity to multitask while birding, enjoying the blooming spring wildflowers and the songs of amphibians in the background.
Wilkins, too, finds joy in foraging for mushrooms while out birding, showcasing the multifaceted nature of these outdoor excursions. Other recommended apps include BirdCast, which provides live updates on bird migrations, and the Sibley Birds v2 app, priced at .99, which is based on the renowned Sibley Guide to Birds. Additionally, BirdNET is available for sound recordings, further enriching the birding experience.
