Are you looking for a new healthy hobby that reduces stress and gets you in tune with nature? Come join bird enthusiasts across the globe as we celebrate fall migration and help scientists track migratory species patterns!
It’s simple. But be forewarned: it’s addictive.
Download eBird through Cornell Lab of Ornithology and create a free account.
If you choose, you can take the free eBird essentials course to see how eBird works, and learn how you can explore birding hot spots and track sightings across the world.
Next, download MerlinID, the birding app that helps you listen for birds so you’ll know what to look for when birding. With a touch of the Sound ID button, you will discover – like magic – all of the species you’re hearing. You’ll learn bird calls and see which birds are rare or infrequent in the area where you live.
Create a folder on your iPhone to hold both of these apps, and label it Birding. On October Big Day this coming Saturday, October 14th, you’ll want to get outdoors and report your observations. I like to get outdoors shortly before 8 a.m. Open eBird and tap Submit on the bottom left corner, and then click on Start Checklist. For each bird you see, tally the numbers in real time. Open MerlinID to help you listen for birds. When you are finished, you will click your location and let eBird know that you have reviewed your list before you submit your checklist. From there, you can go back and add photos or sound clips to your observation.
Please come back and comment on the page to let me know if you joined forces to help count migrating birds! I’m eager to see how you enjoy being a part of October Big Day!
Common Threads 