4Bs Wild bird Sound Map based on the Merlin Bird ID App

Merlin App

The Merlin Bird ID app is a free app developed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology that helps users identify birds by sight, sound, or location. It utilizes a database of bird sightings, sounds, and photos, known as eBird, to identify birds in real-time and provides a wide range of features, including expert ID tips, range maps, and customized lists of birds. The app is powered by machine learning and computer vision technologies, making it a valuable tool for both novice and experienced bird watchers. 

​The sound ID element is particularly attractive. The app simply listens to the bird song, identifies individual birds and then builds a list of species (see photo on right). When a particular bird sings the species is identified. In this was the app coaches the listener to identify a bird from its call.

Creating a Wild bird Sound Map

The dawn chorus is the collective sound made by birds at sunrise as they try to attract mates, establish and claim territories, and ​announce their presence to other birds. Inspired by International Dawn Chorus Day, I decided I would try to build a sound map of dawn chorus recordings across the 4Bs. Over the course of two weeks in late April and early May I went out and about between 5 and 6am. I made recordings at 20 different locations see map below.  31 bird species were identified using the app but 8 species were found at many of the locations.

To listen to the recordings and see the species identified please click on the link 4Bs Wildbird Sound Map 

Norman Jackson

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