Part of moving to a new region involves hearing new bird calls. And me being me, I love to find out what bird is making that call–like what calls do the Red-Shoulder Hawks that live in the trees in my neighborhood make?
It’s spring, so there are so many birds calling when I walk or when I’m just sitting on my porch. Figuring out what these birds are makes me feel like I’m more connected to my environment. Besides, I’m endlessly curious.
You can get a free app from Cornell University for your phone called MERLIN BIRD ID.
I love it.
And it allows me to identify and save bird calls it records as I walk. It’s easy to turn on when I hear birds I don’t know.
Here’s what a user posted online about this app:
“The Merlin Bird ID app (by Cornell Lab of Ornithology) is a highly recommended, free, and accurate tool for identifying birds via photos, sounds, or 5 simple questions. Its standout “Sound ID” feature acts like “Shazam for birds,” identifying species in real-time. While occasionally misidentifying sounds in noisy areas, it is an essential tool for beginners and experts. 
Merlin also can identify a bird from a picture you take. You can also save the bird calls you easily record which can remind you what each bird’s calls sound like. Or you can explore what you have not heard, like what do Blue Birds sound like? Cornell sends informational emails off and on that educate you about birds and that are fun to see and read.
I’ve already learned a lot about the local bird calls I hear in my area, and for me, at least, that is a very fun thing.
Merlin is easy!
Try it. You’ll like it.
PS: Merlin is addictive…
Louisa Enright's Blog 
We have the red shoulder hawks here in CA as well. We also have Stellar Jays that mimic the RSH call to scare all the other birds away. I think the Flickers here do the same sort of call, it does keep the gophers hopping. I also wanted to tell you that my Mom has a house on Isle of Palms too. She spends about 4 months a year there to escape the winter months of NY. She is about your age and an active walker who likes to read, watercolor and cook. Maybe you two will meet up one day, her house is on Sand Crab court.
Well how fun is that! I will DM you.
It is addictive! The birds in Asheville say it’s finally spring.
My daughter is a science teacher and uses this app all the time. She lives in a wooded area and loves it! Highly recommend. If only there was an app to identify whose dog is barking non-stop! 🙂
Thank you for the heads up on the bird app! I’ve downloaded it and can’t wait to put it to use. I have a beautiful red hawk in my neighborhood. I hope you have a Happy Easter!