Review of free learning resources for gaining bird identification skills

Five intermediate birders try out some free resources and tell Amanda what they think of them.

Birdle game Paul “I quite liked it… this might appeal to both near-beginners and quite experienced”.

Charlie “Really love the idea. Think it’s simple and works nicely. I would definitely go on it daily if it was an app with a reminder”.

Debra “I’m going off it, the more I play it…”

Annabel “A good concept with this game. I personally would like it more than just 1 bird a day. I feel like what would make one think more is if the hint was about the species, such as location, or behaviour, rather than just giving letters out”.

Mark “Ok, but basic. Via a mobile phone the picture was too small, why is there no option to click the picture to zoom it? Seems a basic oversight”. Amanda’s verdict? Can be fun and a reminder of more unusual birds, but could do better, particularly on functionality and how it feeds back on incorrect identifications.

Sound identification function on the Merlin app Paul “Should be used with care, but speed and general accuracy make this a great aid. Good access to further info, too.”

Charlie “I’ve been using [this] every day for about a year and I would be lost without it”. After initial glitches, Debra was very impressed. “The app could hear birds that were very distant and faint. I also liked the fact that each time a species sang again it was highlighted in the list”.

Annabel “Certainly a great learning tool for many and one I’ll keep using”.

Mark “Of the three, this is the one I used the most, will keep and return, too. Tried similar over the years to no avail, but running this out in my garden for 30 seconds netted all that I could identify and all that I knew was likely to. Amanda’s verdict? If used with care, the sound ID function is a really valuable tool which won over the testers. It does need a more comprehensive bird list for the Greater London area though.

BTO videos Paul “I’ve looked at these before, and recommended them to others. Maybe a bit ‘old school’ in some eyes, but I think they are really well put together”.

Charlie “Great videos, personally I probably wouldn’t use them. I’m more of a get out there and learn ‘on the job’. But shortened versions would be great for social media”.

Debra “I have watched some of these videos before and find them useful. Overall, the narration is great: clear, to the point and easy to follow and compare the descriptions with the helpful images on screen”.

Annabel “Very very useful videos, lays it out nice and clearly and great for references. One thing I feel that may help more is to show still images of them side by side, when pointing out features with labels”.

Mark “A good reference source. Will bookmark and return, particularly if heading to a habitat with similar or hard to id species. Or maybe if going after a specific bird”. Amanda’s verdict? Great quality videos, but would be even better with side-by-side comparisons, more songs/calls and even in-video quizzes.