If you wonder which bird is singing in your garden or walking around Sid's Piece or photograph a bird and want to know what it is, there is a really good app to help. Recently we had a visit from a Community Wildlife Advisor from the Suffolk Wildlife Trust who left us with lots of useful information and tips. I tried the recommended Merlin app and found it to be very useful. It is an American website of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, but when downloading you just select the UK region which is compiled by the British Trust for Ornithology. Once you have this on your smartphone there is no need for an internet connection, so you can use it anywhere for free. Merlin is unlike any other bird app as it's powered by eBird which is the largest database of bird sightings, sounds and photos. For birdsong just tap the sounds option and the app will listen and tell you which bird is singing with its photo. If there is more than one, it will list them and highlight each as they sing. I can speak from experience that after a while you will start to learn and recognise far more calls when out and about. The photos will also show you what to look out for in a tree or hedge. Highly recommended - give it a go.
If plants are more your interest, try PlantNet. Plants are far more varied and complicated than birds, but you can use photos of its flowers, leaves and seeds to help you narrow it down. You do need an internet connection to use this app, but as it is only a relatively short process it should be inexpensive.
Don't forget to let us know of sights or sounds at Sid's Piece either on our whiteboard or by email.
We hope these apps will increase your enjoyment and they are especially fascinating for children (school holidays?).
If plants are more your interest, try PlantNet. Plants are far more varied and complicated than birds, but you can use photos of its flowers, leaves and seeds to help you narrow it down. You do need an internet connection to use this app, but as it is only a relatively short process it should be inexpensive.
Don't forget to let us know of sights or sounds at Sid's Piece either on our whiteboard or by email.
We hope these apps will increase your enjoyment and they are especially fascinating for children (school holidays?).