As we all know by now, there is an app for almost anything in the world. Just search the app store and chances are very good, you will find what you are looking for, no matter what it is.
We will get back to this in just a second because it all comes full circle. One of the things I love to do is in the morning, sit outside and read stories or yes, I admit it, look and laugh at Instagram reels. One morning recently, the birds were having a frat party, it seemed, right next to where I was hanging out. I mean they were loud and to the point I wanted to call the bird police on them. The birds probably thought they were on spring break and I laugh, but they were very loud on this day.
I was telling this story to a few friends not long after and one of them said she sits outside as well but uses a bird app to identify what birds are around. Of course I had to make the joke, is it Larry Bird? She didn’t laugh and said, it is the Merlin Bird ID App. What? She said look for it in the app store, download it and sit outside and you will become obsessed with it.
Okay, heavy words so I decided to do it. I downloaded that Merlin Bird ID app and went and sat outside. I turned on the app, pressed record and sat back. Within eight seconds, it identified three birds that were singing. I was floored, absolutely floored. Then I discovered it was so much more than an app.
It was designed by Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Andy Bernard had nothing do with it, and not only does it help identify birds, but you are connected to a world wide data base of bird watchers who also help identify birds that are specific to a region, area or country. You send them what you see and it also helps with identifying migration with all the birds and on and on.
I had no idea that a Carolina Wren and a Tufted Titmouse like to hang out in Nashville, with their good friend, the Robin. Also, Purple Martin’s and Carolina Chickadee and the Northern Parula show up and let the others know that the party is about to start. I am telling you, download this app and you will just be amazed by the different sounds and birds that are just outside your window.
Oh, the best part about all of this? Absolutely free. Just get the app and you will see. Sitting outside, listening to birds and drinking coffee. To think I used to make fun of my grandparents doing this. They had it perfectly down all along.
Now where is that Eastern Wood-Pewee?
