"We all need a technological detox; we need to throw away our phones and computers instead of using them as our pseudo-defense system for anything that comes our way. We need to be bored and not have anything to use to shield the boredom away from us. We need to be lonely and see what it is we really feel when we are. If we continue to distract ourselves so we never have to face the realities in front of us, when the time comes and you are faced with something bigger than what your phone, food, or friends can fix, you will be in big trouble."
― Evan Sutter
Here's yet another unprovoked attack on Merlin app users!
There are birders — though I hesitate to label them as such — who rely heavily on eBird alerts before venturing outdoors, then arrive at locations with Merlin active, merely confirming reported sightings without actually locating birds themselves. Some even go a step further by exporting their Merlin-generated lists to eBird without verifying the species indicated by the app. What's next? Installing unattended remote devices to record bird songs 24/7 and automatically upload observations to eBird? Could this even be considered birding?
This raises questions about the essence of birding.
This raises questions about the essence of birding.
1. Over-Reliance: Birders might become overly dependent on the app, potentially diminishing their ability to learn and recognize bird songs and features on their own.2. Accuracy: While Merlin is generally accurate, it can sometimes misidentify birds, especially in areas with high bird diversity or overlapping song patterns. There are mimics as well, and birds that learn the wrong songs.3. Limited Learning: By relying on the app for instant identification, birders might miss out on the deeper learning experience that comes from studying field guides and learning from other birders.4. Technology Dependence: Using the app requires a charged device and, often, Internet access, which can be limiting in remote birding locations. Also, staring too much at a device when one ought to be fully engaged as a field naturalist — you'll miss things, even non-avian things.5. Skill Development: Birders may not develop critical birding skills, such as memorizing bird calls, observing subtle field marks, and noting pertinent behavioral cues, which are essential for becoming a proficient birder. The same goes for written documentation skills for submitting records. The Wisconsin eBird team has observed a significant increase in flagged records attributed to birds identified using Merlin, with no additional notes provided to elaborate on the identification.
In my opinion, this reliance on technology over traditional birding skills undermines the true spirit of birding. Birding has always been (and should be) about immersing oneself in Nature, honing observational skills, and experiencing the thrill of discovering and identifying birds through patience and practice. Merlin might be practical for novices, but it's still a crutch for the lazy.
The rise of such practices raises concerns about the quality of data being contributed to citizen science projects. Accurate data collection is crucial for bird conservation efforts, and the integrity of these records relies on the observer's ability to correctly identify and confirm sightings. When birders rely on apps without engaging in the fieldwork, the reliability of the data comes into question — and it was already that even prior to Merlin.
I have observed some Merlin users who have substantial eBird lists struggle to identify even common species like American Goldfinch or House Wren by song. Anyway, I wonder how they approach fall migration when most birds only use mere chip-notes and contact calls.
The top spots in Top 100 eBirder rankings are filled with birders who heavily rely on Merlin. If the technology were taken away, where would they fall in that list? Of the ~200 species for 2024 I've found, just about every one them on my own sans app or map — just me and my bins, a haunt, and the occasional "Hey, I've got a blah-blah over here!" from one of my longtime birding companions.
Oh, I get it — for many people, contemporary birding is more about socializing in large groups, chasing, compiling lists, competing, climbing rankings, and getting the accolade "nice find" from peers. On eBird there are "Needs Alerts" that will send a missive whenever a bird you haven't observed for a particular area or time is found by someone else. To be sure, nobody needs to get a bird, but I understand the context. I've never observed a Painted Bunting, but I certainly don't need to.
Do you want to become a better birder? Then bird sans digital technology and uninstall the Merlin app today!
All images © 2024 Mike McDowell