Backyards are a beautiful bird haven: Cornell Lab
Posted on 23 April, 2020 by Ivan
Fortunately there are many online resources that can keep us learning and connected to nature, while we stay safely at home. Here are some great suggestions about how to improve your bird watching skills, using the excellent Merlin Bird ID app on your smart phone or other digital device, and via educational videos from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. A reminder though, to ensure you use Birdlife’s Birdata App, when entering your data, surveys and observations.
One of the delights of bird watching has always been that you can do it anywhere, including right at home. Take a quiet walk or enjoy a moment of reflection at your window: birds will be with you. Now is a great time to deepen your knowledge and appreciation with resources like these:
- The free Merlin Bird ID app helps you identify more than 6,000 bird species on six continents. Answer five simple questions to get a short list of likely birds near you. And if you already have Merlin, don’t miss these five advanced tips, including amazing Photo ID.
- Practice the Four Keys to Bird Identification. Put names to the birds you see by focusing on Size & Shape, Color Pattern, Behavior, and Habitat. Learn from experts through their Inside Birding videos.
- Play Bird Song Hero and brush up on birding by ear so you’re ready for the sweet songs of spring.
- If you do Project FeederWatch, they’re extending the season through the end of April so you can keep right on counting. And now’s the time to set up nest boxes—NestWatch has amazing resources at All About Birdhouses.
- Take a free eBird Essentials course to get the most fun from your outings, save your birding memories, and contribute to science.
Click on the the above links and following images to access these resources.
Backyards: Still The Best Places To Go Bird Watching
Get More From Merlin Bird ID With These Powerful Features
Inside Birding: How-To Videos For Learning Bird Identification
Bird ID Skills: How To Learn Bird Songs And Calls
There is also an amazing set of resources available from BirdLife Australia – https://www.networkbirdlife.org/birding-at-home
good points Tanya, we have already updated the blog to reflect the importance of using Birdata App, rather than eBird.