MERLIN App Error

[Ron Fleming]

Hi all,

Just a quick note re: the excellent Merlin App. It is marvelous in many ways but it does have its limitations and errors.

This is especially important for those who are atlassing or submitting reports on eBird.

On several occasions while I've been birding this spring MERLIN has identified Tufted Titmouse when, in every case, it was Baltimore Oriole. Tufted Titmouse does occur and does nest in the Hamilton-area but the misidentification (based on the limitations of song length allocation within the app) can, of course, lead to incorrect data input by "citizen science".

Similarly, I've had some Yellow-rumped Warblers identified as Wilson's Warblers.

Just sayin'.

Happy birding to all.

Ron Fleming,

Stoney Creek 

[Gerry Mielke]

I share Ron Fleming’s concern regarding possible incorrect e-bird records due to sound identifications.  Of over 500 checklists I have submitted,  less than  30 are labelled complete checklists because I typically will only record a bird I have actually seen. Only rarely (perhaps if it is a Whippoorwill) would I include a voice presence. I think there should be on e-bird an indication if the bird was actually seen or only heard. In an extreme case, what if  you hear a recording of a bird played by someone in the vicinity? I was appalled that even a member of our Hamilton bird group used an iphone recording in order to lure a bird close for a photo. Making a bird think a rival or mate is in the area can at times be detrimental to a bird’s well being. Don’t mess with a bird’s welfare just to get a good picture. 

Gerry. 

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[Joseph Bloom]

Hi Ron

Thanks for this post. For almost two years Merlin has been trying to convince me that I'm surrounded by hordes of Tufted Titmouses (titmice?). I've lived here in the Mountsberg area since 1987 and have never seen one in this neighbourhood. It's good to have confirmation that I am not Titmouse-blind!

Cheers,

Jerry Bloom

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[George Naylor]

At Pelee this spring, I was surprised by the number of birders who spent as much time with their phones raised, inputting bird song and call notes, and using  Merlin to make an identification, as much as they did with their binoculars up! George

On Jun 1, 2024, at 11:44 AM, 'Gerry Mielke' via Hamilton Birders <hamilt...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

I share Ron Fleming’s concern regarding possible incorrect e-bird records due to sound identifications.  Of over 500 checklists I have submitted,  less than  30 are labelled complete checklists because I typically will only record a bird I have actually seen. Only rarely (perhaps if it is a Whippoorwill) would I include a voice presence. I think there should be on e-bird an indication if the bird was actually seen or only heard. In an extreme case, what if  you hear a recording of a bird played by someone in the vicinity? I was appalled that even a member of our Hamilton bird group used an iphone recording in order to lure a bird close for a photo. Making a bird think a rival or mate is in the area can at times be detrimental to a bird’s well being. Don’t mess with a bird’s welfare just to get a good picture. 

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[KEN CLARKE]

Merlin tells me that iI am surrounded by Titmouses every where i go. Can this be right?  Ken Clarke

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[Lyn Folkes]

I agree strongly with Gerry's comment. I saw two HNC members approach a Ross' Goose at Spencer Smith Park WAY too close -- again, just to get a photo. I was appalled and tried to gesture them away from the goose but they ignored me. As members of a nature preservation-based organization, we should all consult and follow the proper ethics before unnecessarily disturbing birds, especially during the breeding season, which is at its peak now.

Please be kind to our feathered friends who are also under increased pressure due to the global climate emergency. Many desperately need our help today, so please don't let your eagerness for a photo tempt inappropriate behavior. 

There would probably be more birds around in the future if we treat them with complete respect today - we still have a long way to go to show complete respect to wildlife in Ontario though. 

Lyn :)

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