Date: 4/21/26 6:40 pm From: joan garvey via groups.io <joanmgarvey1...> Subject: Re: [labird] Cold front birds
Cathy, Mark and I have been birding Peveto since Sunday afternoon seeing 19 species of warblers. The first afternoon we enjoyed 2 Ceruleans singing on and off all day Sunday-Monday. Lots of Catbirds, fair number of thrushes and tanagers. At Sabine National Wildlife Refuge Wetlands Walkway we had a Warbling Vireo and Philly in Peveto.
> On Apr 20, 2026, at 5:42 PM, Paul Conover via groups.io <zoiseaux...> wrote:
>
> Labird, I'm curious about birding results from different areas tied to the weekend weather. Birding at Willow Island was pretty good yesterday, with good numbers of quite a few species. List at https://ebird.org/checklist/S324151398 I'm seeing a bit of the same in my backyard today, with Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Wood Thrush, and Swainson's Thrush.Paul Conover Lafayette
>
>
>
>
Date: 4/21/26 10:03 am From: Melissa Weaver via groups.io <mdodson22...> Subject: Re: [labird] Cold front birds
Charlie and I started Sat early evening at Willow Island where we had 18 Orchard, 10 Baltimore and 20+ Catbird. At one point, we just watched a bush fill up with lovely gray birds coming in one after the other. Sunday morning was fantastic! We had a mini fallout in downtown Cameron. We were driving around the blocks when it began to rain Summer Tanagers in one tree behind an abandoned house. We took our chances and parked in a lot and had 17 Swainsons, 11 Wood Thrush, 3 Ovenbirds, and close to 20 Hooded Warblers land at our feet. The Summer Tanager total count was 61 and that was probably conservative. Baltimore count was 12 and Orchard was 5. I started my birding adventure a little less than 10 years ago, so I have only witnessed this twice in my lifetime. It is hard for me to comprehend the changes that Charlie describes about how it used to be and that what we witnessed was incredible, but only a small pocket of what used to be widespread. A little later we attempted to board the ferry to go to Peveto, but we received the same message as Mac, “broke”. We turned around and headed back to Willow Island and had a Swallow-tailed Kite follow us for a few minutes down the highway. We had a good turnout of birds as Paul described, but what I enjoyed the most was the 40+ Indigo Buntings in one brushy area. Beautiful little blue guys everywhere! It was a fantastic 24 hours.
On Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 6:40 AM, Roselie via groups.io <rosebird49...> wrote:
Wood Thrush was singing in my backyard. Great-crested Flycatcher and White-eyed Vireo made their FOS appearances, so I went to Bayou Macon WMA in East Carroll Parish I had 6 species of warbler, YB Chat, Indigo Buntings, Summer Tanagers. That’s a fallout for here. 😄 34 species in an hour and a half.
Roselie Overby
> On Apr 20, 2026, at 8:42 PM, Jane Patterson via groups.io <seejanebird...> wrote:
>
> I was on Grand Isle from 4/12-4/15 and then again from 4/17 to present.
> Before the cold front / wind shift, the woods were very quiet in the
> morning but picked up every afternoon after 3 or 4 pm. Decent numbers of
> tanagers, grosbeaks, and buntings. Total of 14 species of warbler, all in
> the single digits for any given day.
> After the wind shifted, things got worse! The woods have been quiet
> basically all day. Still a few tanagers, grosbeaks, buntings, but I've
> eked out 15 species of warbler over the 4 day period with only one or two
> of each species.
> I wonder if they're all still stacked up on the Yucatan peninsula!
>
> --Jane Patterson
> currently warbler-poor on Grand Isle
>
>> On Mon, Apr 20, 2026 at 5:42 PM Paul Conover via groups.io <zoiseaux=
>> <lusfiber.net...> wrote:
>>
>> Labird, I'm curious about birding results from different areas tied to
>> the weekend weather. Birding at Willow Island was pretty good yesterday,
>> with good numbers of quite a few species. List at
>> https://ebird.org/checklist/S324151398 I'm seeing a bit of the same
>> in my backyard today, with Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Wood Thrush, and
>> Swainson's Thrush.Paul Conover Lafayette
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 4/21/26 9:45 am From: joan garvey via groups.io <joanmgarvey1...> Subject: Re: [labird] Cameron ferry and traffic
We passed by the ferry and it seems operational even though the number you posted says it is out of service.
> On Apr 20, 2026, at 3:45 PM, Mac Myers via groups.io <budogmacm...> wrote:
>
> Given that it's peak spring migration time and LOS is meeting soon, I
> thought I'd pass along some information. The ferry has been out of service
> at times. Saturday evening I checked the LADOTD website to check ferry
> status. It has a new schedule: running 24 hrs. on weekdays; running only
> 6am-6pm on weekends. It was listed as in service. Sunday, after birding
> Willow I., I went to the ferry early afternoon, and it was down. The woman
> blocking the road in her truck said it was "broke." I returned to Willow,
> and decided to check the phone line for ferry status. It confirmed that the
> ferry was out of service, so I guess it is more or less up to date in real
> time. The number is: 888-613-3779, and I think it is good 24 hrs., with
> press 1 for Cameron.
>
> I was birding Cameron Easter Monday, and headed from Holly Beach to the
> ferry eastbound around 4pm. The traffic was so heavy that the ferry filled
> up, and we had to wait for it to return. When we boarded, I could see that
> other vehicles well behind us in the line also had to await a return. And
> this was the big ferry. Also, traffic (presumably shift workers) in town
> and along 27 on the east side was unbelievable. Maybe it's just weekdays???
> This Sunday traffic was not especially heavy.
>
> Mac
>
> <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=webmail> > Virus-free.www.avast.com
> <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=webmail> > <#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 4/21/26 5:22 am From: John Dillon via groups.io <kisforkryptonite...> Subject: Re: [labird] MERLIN audio -- warning!
To John’s question: I’m afraid that ship sailed, sank, and will forever lie at the bottom of the Mariana Trench. It’s not proper methods we’re really fighting; it’s a culture that has been turning to the internet and technology for answers for at least two generations already, which is exactly why Cornell is taking advantage of it. The only way there will be any significant change in the use of Merlin is if Cornell polices it, and anyone who’s been a reviewer for a while can tell you that will never happen. I hate to be “doom and gloom.” But it’s the truth. Many of us have tried to influence Merlin’s use to basically no avail.
JD
> On Apr 20, 2026, at 8:17 PM, Jane Patterson via groups.io <seejanebird...> wrote:
>
> I'm the admin for the Louisiana Birds facebook group. There are ~15,000
> members in the group. I can "pin" the post to the top of the group to make
> it more noticeable if one goes to the group and scrolls from there.
> However, if there is activity in the group, the post will just be pushed
> further and further down and basically disappear. And with everyone
> posting their pretty spring bird photos, that's going to happen pretty
> quickly. I see a lot of posts about birds this time of year on the
> Louisiana Gardeners fb group and the Louisiana Plants group. These large
> groups have 268k and 68k members respectively. Basically any post gets
> immediately swallowed up by other member posts...so it's not going to be
> seen by many of the folks who would need to see it.
>
> I do make a point in my classes to tell people to take Merlin sound ID with
> a grain of salt. It's a tool, not the end all, be all. And when we go on
> bird walks, I *always* hear birds before Merlin does. Occasionally, Merlin
> does hear something before I've registered it. Also, I've noticed that
> Merlin AI is not yet smart enough to "subtract" birds it's got wrong when
> it reported something in a, for example, a mockingbird or thrasher song.
> Maybe it will someday, but not today.
>
> --Jane Patterson
>
> On Mon, Apr 20, 2026 at 4:58 PM John Romano via groups.io <http://groups.io/> <birderjuan=
> <gmail.com...> <mailto:<gmail.com...>> wrote:
>
>> My only input is that the bird “watchers” who use Merlin and who need the
>> information in this thread the most, are most likely not on this listsrv,
>> but rather on other media like the Facebook page Louisiana Birds. I often
>> see photos of birds with remarks like “Merlin says . . . “ on that page if
>> I go there. So question one:
>> Do people also use Merlin to identify photos?
>> Question Two: can the information on this thread be summarized and put
>> on these other birding media to reach more people using Merlin vocal ID to
>> make lists for EBird??
>>> On Apr 19, 2026, at 9:20 AM, Bill Fontenot via groups.io
>> <williamrodneyfontenot...> wrote:
>>>
>>> Guess my thoughts on this matter are somewhat irrelevant re: this issue
>> as I’m no longer able to bird “by eye”. Regardless, my hearing is still
>> quite good.
>>>
>>> In my opinion, nothing beats the old-school method of learning birds by
>> ear: when you hear a bird that you can’t identify by ear — or even a bird
>> that you think you already know by ear but the bird’s vocalizations sound a
>> little “off” — simply track the bird down and get a visual ID. In that
>> process, the repeated vocalizations as you search, combined with the final
>> visual ID serve to reinforce the audio learning experience. Begin with
>> local birds to build your brain’s audio baseline and build your database
>> from there.
>>>
>>> Using this method you’ll learn far more than Merlin. You’ll learn entire
>> ranges of sounds made by each species (e.g. Carolina Wren). You’ll learn
>> the mimics’ trickery (e.g. N Mocker, E Starling, Blue Jay). And most
>> importantly you’ll learn to discern the voices of birds that you don’t
>> know, which often turn out to be rarities.
>>>
>>> Re: Merlin, soon enough it will become able to properly ID any bird it
>> can hear. I’m guessing there are also visual ID apps in the works if not
>> already available. A “birder” will simply need the skill to use a
>> smartphone. Gone will be critical thinking and the excitement of the chase.
>>>
>>> Happy “Birding”!
>>>
>>> Bill Fontenot
>>> Lafayette, LA
>>>
>>>> On Apr 19, 2026, at 8:33 AM, Jay V Huner via groups.io <jay.huner1=
>> <louisiana.edu...> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> If you cannot hear a bird’s vocalizations, Merlin is a miraculous aid.
>> Clearly, if habitat is wrong and timing is wrong and you cannot find the
>> bird, Merlin is mistaken or is recording a mimic.
>>>> ________________________________
>>>> From: <labird...> <labird...> on behalf of Charles
>> Williams via groups.io <chazbizz91...>
>>>> Sent: Saturday, April 18, 2026 10:12 PM
>>>> To: Paul Conover <zoiseaux...>
>>>> Cc: Harriett Pooler <harriett.pooler...>; <vnremsen...> <
>> <vnremsen...>; Labird <labird...>
>>>> Subject: Re: [labird] MERLIN audio -- warning!
>>>>
>>>> CAUTION: This email originated from outside of UL Lafayette. Do not
>> click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know
>> the content is safe.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Well I'll take a slightly contrarian view and say I've enjoyed sorting
>> out
>>>> the rights, wrongs and maybes of what Merlin reports. On a recent
>> visit to
>>>> the Central sports park Merlin reported three species that would have
>> been
>>>> firsts for the site: limpkin, mallard and eastern meadowlark. Limpkin
>> and
>>>> meadowlark were both realistic albeit longshot possibilities given the
>>>> habitat. But neither could be found after a close check of that
>> habitat.
>>>> So I concluded that known multilingual species, numerous in the area
>>>> (starlings, blue jays, mockingbirds etc) must have been the source of
>> the
>>>> misidentified calls.
>>>>
>>>> Charles W
>>>>
>>>>> On Fri, Apr 17, 2026, 10:13 PM Paul Conover via groups.io <zoiseaux=
>>>>> <lusfiber.net...> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Harriet, Labird,
>>>>>
>>>>> I guess the first thing I'd check is a physical cause such as a
>>>>> blocked microphone opening which might get lint or dust in it. In terms
>>>>> of the inner workings of the app, I've had similar issues where no
>>>>> species show up even when I hear singing close by, but it seems like
>>>>> after a short delay the list sometimes populates and seems fine after
>>>>> that. I just assume that's a glitch either in the program or the
>>>>> connection, or possibly just that my phone has too many apps open. I
>>>>> sometimes close all apps and reopen just Merlin. It tends to work, but
>>>>> it may just be by chance. Another possibility is that the location
>> isn't
>>>>> set to the right geographical area, but it would take a bit of doing to
>>>>> accidentally alter that setting. Updating the sound packets for each
>>>>> region probably improves performance as well, but Merlin often reminds
>>>>> me to update right when I'm in the middle of using the app in the field
>>>>>
>>>>> However, that does bring up an interesting and (to me) annoying
>>>>> limitation with Merlin. If a species isn't expected where I'm birding,
>>>>> Merlin typically just ignores it. I understand that Merlin needs to
>>>>> narrow down the possibilities because many birds around the world make
>>>>> similar sounds, but ideally if a really rare bird is present, it would
>>>>> sure be nice if Merlin would tell me. When I think a rarity is present,
>>>>> I've had to turn off the phone's GPS and manually switch the location
>> in
>>>>> the app to a location on Earth where that species is normally found or
>>>>> Merlin won't admit that the bird is present. Off course, that reset
>>>>> opens a Pandora's box where every vocal species present might get
>>>>> misidentified as an exotic cousin.
>>>>>
>>>>> Merlin is a work in progress, but eventually if enough good
>>>>> input is confirmed, it seems like the output will become reliable.
>>>>> Birders like you and Van that state the shortcomings and glitches in
>> the
>>>>> program are probably doing the app a big favor by calling attention to
>>>>> its flaws, and certainly doing the birding community a favor by making
>>>>> everyone think twice about its results.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Paul Conover
>>>>>
>>>>> Lafayette
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>> On 4/17/26 7:49 PM, Harriett Pooler wrote:
>>>>>>> Van, Paul, and LaBird:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I’ve had some false positives with Merlin too, and hearing in my
>> right
>>>>> ear isn’t what it used to be; however, my main problem is that Merlin
>>>>> checks out at times and doesn’t pick up any birds or just some at other
>>>>> times. I’ve seen this often on bird walks with multiple people whose
>> Merlin
>>>>> picks up birds while mine is on vacation. I’ve deleted the app and then
>>>>> reinstalled which seems to help for a while. It is almost like it knows
>>>>> there are other birders on Merlin in the same area and doesn’t put the
>>>>> effort on all iPhones. Any suggestions?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Harriett Pooler
>>>>>> Baton Rouge
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
Date: 4/21/26 4:40 am From: Roselie via groups.io <rosebird49...> Subject: Re: [labird] Cold front birds
Wood Thrush was singing in my backyard. Great-crested Flycatcher and White-eyed Vireo made their FOS appearances, so I went to Bayou Macon WMA in East Carroll Parish I had 6 species of warbler, YB Chat, Indigo Buntings, Summer Tanagers. That’s a fallout for here. 😄 34 species in an hour and a half.
Roselie Overby
> On Apr 20, 2026, at 8:42 PM, Jane Patterson via groups.io <seejanebird...> wrote:
>
> I was on Grand Isle from 4/12-4/15 and then again from 4/17 to present.
> Before the cold front / wind shift, the woods were very quiet in the
> morning but picked up every afternoon after 3 or 4 pm. Decent numbers of
> tanagers, grosbeaks, and buntings. Total of 14 species of warbler, all in
> the single digits for any given day.
> After the wind shifted, things got worse! The woods have been quiet
> basically all day. Still a few tanagers, grosbeaks, buntings, but I've
> eked out 15 species of warbler over the 4 day period with only one or two
> of each species.
> I wonder if they're all still stacked up on the Yucatan peninsula!
>
> --Jane Patterson
> currently warbler-poor on Grand Isle
>
>> On Mon, Apr 20, 2026 at 5:42 PM Paul Conover via groups.io <zoiseaux=
>> <lusfiber.net...> wrote:
>>
>> Labird, I'm curious about birding results from different areas tied to
>> the weekend weather. Birding at Willow Island was pretty good yesterday,
>> with good numbers of quite a few species. List at
>> https://ebird.org/checklist/S324151398 I'm seeing a bit of the same
>> in my backyard today, with Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Wood Thrush, and
>> Swainson's Thrush.Paul Conover Lafayette
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 4/20/26 6:42 pm From: Jane Patterson via groups.io <seejanebird...> Subject: Re: [labird] Cold front birds
I was on Grand Isle from 4/12-4/15 and then again from 4/17 to present.
Before the cold front / wind shift, the woods were very quiet in the
morning but picked up every afternoon after 3 or 4 pm. Decent numbers of
tanagers, grosbeaks, and buntings. Total of 14 species of warbler, all in
the single digits for any given day.
After the wind shifted, things got worse! The woods have been quiet
basically all day. Still a few tanagers, grosbeaks, buntings, but I've
eked out 15 species of warbler over the 4 day period with only one or two
of each species.
I wonder if they're all still stacked up on the Yucatan peninsula!
--Jane Patterson
currently warbler-poor on Grand Isle
On Mon, Apr 20, 2026 at 5:42 PM Paul Conover via groups.io <zoiseaux=
<lusfiber.net...> wrote:
> Labird, I'm curious about birding results from different areas tied to
> the weekend weather. Birding at Willow Island was pretty good yesterday,
> with good numbers of quite a few species. List at
> https://ebird.org/checklist/S324151398 I'm seeing a bit of the same
> in my backyard today, with Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Wood Thrush, and
> Swainson's Thrush.Paul Conover Lafayette
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 4/20/26 6:39 pm From: Wendy Rihner via groups.io <wrihner...> Subject: Re: [labird] Cold front birds
Paul:
A few of us were in Couterie Woods in City Park in New Orleans, and it
almost felt like we were birding decades ago. Rose-breasted Grosbeaks were
quite numerous, and we had 14 species of warblers, including Prairiie. It
was a birdy day.
Wendy Rihner
On Mon, Apr 20, 2026 at 7:26 PM Paul Dickson via groups.io <paul=
<morrisdickson.com...> wrote:
> Paul and Labird:
> I was hoping for a day-after the cold front shorebird stopover event and
> went to the rice fields and moist soil managed area of RRNWR, the “Yates”
> tract between Shreveport and Coushatta. With north winds what I found were
> indeed the long distance migrants but not a whole lot more of them than
> others found before the.front at the same place. 3 Baird’s Sandpipers were
> new and nice especially when I was watching them from only 15 yards away
> and they squatted into the shallow water and seconds later burst up with a
> sharp call as a Peregrine shot by over my shoulder and chased after them
> and an America Golden Plover. Otherwise there were plentiful numbers of the
> expected shorebirds. A Blue Grosbeak was a new arrival. One Pectoral
> Sandpiper of a total of at least 250, probably more, was half white in
> feather groups, his wing, crown, an eyeline being usually colored and the
> remainer of his plumage pure white. The Pects were hiding in shallow water
> and old rice stubble in groups of 20-30, out of sight until I passed close
> enough walking down a rice levee to flush them. The sun was bright at 3-4PM
> and the Peregrine too probably had them acting that way. It was not a mass
> migration stopver but a nice day of shorebirds none the less.
> Paul Dickson
> Red River Parish
> https://ebird.org/checklist/S324412701 >
>
> From: <labird...> <labird...> On Behalf Of Paul Conover via
> groups.io
> Sent: Monday, April 20, 2026 5:43 PM
> To: <labird...>
> Subject: [labird] Cold front birds
>
> Labird, I'm curious about birding results from different areas tied to
> the weekend weather. Birding at Willow Island was pretty good yesterday,
> with good numbers of quite a few species. List at
> https://ebird.org/checklist/S324151398< > https://ebird.org/checklist/S324151398> I'm seeing a bit of the same
> in my backyard today, with Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Wood Thrush, and
> Swainson's Thrush.Paul Conover Lafayette
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 4/20/26 6:24 pm From: Jane Patterson via groups.io <seejanebird...> Subject: Re: [labird] MERLIN audio -- warning!
I'm the admin for the Louisiana Birds facebook group. There are ~15,000
members in the group. I can "pin" the post to the top of the group to make
it more noticeable if one goes to the group and scrolls from there.
However, if there is activity in the group, the post will just be pushed
further and further down and basically disappear. And with everyone
posting their pretty spring bird photos, that's going to happen pretty
quickly. I see a lot of posts about birds this time of year on the
Louisiana Gardeners fb group and the Louisiana Plants group. These large
groups have 268k and 68k members respectively. Basically any post gets
immediately swallowed up by other member posts...so it's not going to be
seen by many of the folks who would need to see it.
I do make a point in my classes to tell people to take Merlin sound ID with
a grain of salt. It's a tool, not the end all, be all. And when we go on
bird walks, I *always* hear birds before Merlin does. Occasionally, Merlin
does hear something before I've registered it. Also, I've noticed that
Merlin AI is not yet smart enough to "subtract" birds it's got wrong when
it reported something in a, for example, a mockingbird or thrasher song.
Maybe it will someday, but not today.
--Jane Patterson
On Mon, Apr 20, 2026 at 4:58 PM John Romano via groups.io <birderjuan=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> My only input is that the bird “watchers” who use Merlin and who need the
> information in this thread the most, are most likely not on this listsrv,
> but rather on other media like the Facebook page Louisiana Birds. I often
> see photos of birds with remarks like “Merlin says . . . “ on that page if
> I go there. So question one:
> Do people also use Merlin to identify photos?
> Question Two: can the information on this thread be summarized and put
> on these other birding media to reach more people using Merlin vocal ID to
> make lists for EBird??
> > On Apr 19, 2026, at 9:20 AM, Bill Fontenot via groups.io
> <williamrodneyfontenot...> wrote:
> >
> > Guess my thoughts on this matter are somewhat irrelevant re: this issue
> as I’m no longer able to bird “by eye”. Regardless, my hearing is still
> quite good.
> >
> > In my opinion, nothing beats the old-school method of learning birds by
> ear: when you hear a bird that you can’t identify by ear — or even a bird
> that you think you already know by ear but the bird’s vocalizations sound a
> little “off” — simply track the bird down and get a visual ID. In that
> process, the repeated vocalizations as you search, combined with the final
> visual ID serve to reinforce the audio learning experience. Begin with
> local birds to build your brain’s audio baseline and build your database
> from there.
> >
> > Using this method you’ll learn far more than Merlin. You’ll learn entire
> ranges of sounds made by each species (e.g. Carolina Wren). You’ll learn
> the mimics’ trickery (e.g. N Mocker, E Starling, Blue Jay). And most
> importantly you’ll learn to discern the voices of birds that you don’t
> know, which often turn out to be rarities.
> >
> > Re: Merlin, soon enough it will become able to properly ID any bird it
> can hear. I’m guessing there are also visual ID apps in the works if not
> already available. A “birder” will simply need the skill to use a
> smartphone. Gone will be critical thinking and the excitement of the chase.
> >
> > Happy “Birding”!
> >
> > Bill Fontenot
> > Lafayette, LA
> >
> >> On Apr 19, 2026, at 8:33 AM, Jay V Huner via groups.io <jay.huner1=
> <louisiana.edu...> wrote:
> >>
> >> If you cannot hear a bird’s vocalizations, Merlin is a miraculous aid.
> Clearly, if habitat is wrong and timing is wrong and you cannot find the
> bird, Merlin is mistaken or is recording a mimic.
> >> ________________________________
> >> From: <labird...> <labird...> on behalf of Charles
> Williams via groups.io <chazbizz91...>
> >> Sent: Saturday, April 18, 2026 10:12 PM
> >> To: Paul Conover <zoiseaux...>
> >> Cc: Harriett Pooler <harriett.pooler...>; <vnremsen...> <
> <vnremsen...>; Labird <labird...>
> >> Subject: Re: [labird] MERLIN audio -- warning!
> >>
> >> CAUTION: This email originated from outside of UL Lafayette. Do not
> click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know
> the content is safe.
> >>
> >>
> >> Well I'll take a slightly contrarian view and say I've enjoyed sorting
> out
> >> the rights, wrongs and maybes of what Merlin reports. On a recent
> visit to
> >> the Central sports park Merlin reported three species that would have
> been
> >> firsts for the site: limpkin, mallard and eastern meadowlark. Limpkin
> and
> >> meadowlark were both realistic albeit longshot possibilities given the
> >> habitat. But neither could be found after a close check of that
> habitat.
> >> So I concluded that known multilingual species, numerous in the area
> >> (starlings, blue jays, mockingbirds etc) must have been the source of
> the
> >> misidentified calls.
> >>
> >> Charles W
> >>
> >>> On Fri, Apr 17, 2026, 10:13 PM Paul Conover via groups.io <zoiseaux=
> >>> <lusfiber.net...> wrote:
> >>>
> >>> Harriet, Labird,
> >>>
> >>> I guess the first thing I'd check is a physical cause such as a
> >>> blocked microphone opening which might get lint or dust in it. In terms
> >>> of the inner workings of the app, I've had similar issues where no
> >>> species show up even when I hear singing close by, but it seems like
> >>> after a short delay the list sometimes populates and seems fine after
> >>> that. I just assume that's a glitch either in the program or the
> >>> connection, or possibly just that my phone has too many apps open. I
> >>> sometimes close all apps and reopen just Merlin. It tends to work, but
> >>> it may just be by chance. Another possibility is that the location
> isn't
> >>> set to the right geographical area, but it would take a bit of doing to
> >>> accidentally alter that setting. Updating the sound packets for each
> >>> region probably improves performance as well, but Merlin often reminds
> >>> me to update right when I'm in the middle of using the app in the field
> >>>
> >>> However, that does bring up an interesting and (to me) annoying
> >>> limitation with Merlin. If a species isn't expected where I'm birding,
> >>> Merlin typically just ignores it. I understand that Merlin needs to
> >>> narrow down the possibilities because many birds around the world make
> >>> similar sounds, but ideally if a really rare bird is present, it would
> >>> sure be nice if Merlin would tell me. When I think a rarity is present,
> >>> I've had to turn off the phone's GPS and manually switch the location
> in
> >>> the app to a location on Earth where that species is normally found or
> >>> Merlin won't admit that the bird is present. Off course, that reset
> >>> opens a Pandora's box where every vocal species present might get
> >>> misidentified as an exotic cousin.
> >>>
> >>> Merlin is a work in progress, but eventually if enough good
> >>> input is confirmed, it seems like the output will become reliable.
> >>> Birders like you and Van that state the shortcomings and glitches in
> the
> >>> program are probably doing the app a big favor by calling attention to
> >>> its flaws, and certainly doing the birding community a favor by making
> >>> everyone think twice about its results.
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> Paul Conover
> >>>
> >>> Lafayette
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>>> On 4/17/26 7:49 PM, Harriett Pooler wrote:
> >>>>> Van, Paul, and LaBird:
> >>>>>
> >>>>> I’ve had some false positives with Merlin too, and hearing in my
> right
> >>> ear isn’t what it used to be; however, my main problem is that Merlin
> >>> checks out at times and doesn’t pick up any birds or just some at other
> >>> times. I’ve seen this often on bird walks with multiple people whose
> Merlin
> >>> picks up birds while mine is on vacation. I’ve deleted the app and then
> >>> reinstalled which seems to help for a while. It is almost like it knows
> >>> there are other birders on Merlin in the same area and doesn’t put the
> >>> effort on all iPhones. Any suggestions?
> >>>>
> >>>> Harriett Pooler
> >>>> Baton Rouge
> >>>>
> >>>> Sent from my iPhone
> >>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 4/20/26 5:36 pm From: Van Remsen via groups.io <vnremsen...> Subject: Re: [labird] MERLIN audio -- warning!
Question one = Yes.
Question two = Yes -- feel free to quote or forward or whatever to another
list or FB group (LOS already covered)
Van Remsen
On Mon, Apr 20, 2026 at 4:58 PM John Romano <birderjuan...> wrote:
> My only input is that the bird “watchers” who use Merlin and who need the
> information in this thread the most, are most likely not on this listsrv,
> but rather on other media like the Facebook page Louisiana Birds. I often
> see photos of birds with remarks like “Merlin says . . . “ on that page if
> I go there. So question one:
> Do people also use Merlin to identify photos?
> Question Two: can the information on this thread be summarized and put
> on these other birding media to reach more people using Merlin vocal ID to
> make lists for EBird??
>
> Sent from my iPhone
> > On Apr 19, 2026, at 9:20 AM, Bill Fontenot via groups.io
> <williamrodneyfontenot...> wrote:
> >
> > Guess my thoughts on this matter are somewhat irrelevant re: this issue
> as I’m no longer able to bird “by eye”. Regardless, my hearing is still
> quite good.
> >
> > In my opinion, nothing beats the old-school method of learning birds by
> ear: when you hear a bird that you can’t identify by ear — or even a bird
> that you think you already know by ear but the bird’s vocalizations sound a
> little “off” — simply track the bird down and get a visual ID. In that
> process, the repeated vocalizations as you search, combined with the final
> visual ID serve to reinforce the audio learning experience. Begin with
> local birds to build your brain’s audio baseline and build your database
> from there.
> >
> > Using this method you’ll learn far more than Merlin. You’ll learn entire
> ranges of sounds made by each species (e.g. Carolina Wren). You’ll learn
> the mimics’ trickery (e.g. N Mocker, E Starling, Blue Jay). And most
> importantly you’ll learn to discern the voices of birds that you don’t
> know, which often turn out to be rarities.
> >
> > Re: Merlin, soon enough it will become able to properly ID any bird it
> can hear. I’m guessing there are also visual ID apps in the works if not
> already available. A “birder” will simply need the skill to use a
> smartphone. Gone will be critical thinking and the excitement of the chase.
> >
> > Happy “Birding”!
> >
> > Bill Fontenot
> > Lafayette, LA
> >
> >> On Apr 19, 2026, at 8:33 AM, Jay V Huner via groups.io <jay.huner1=
> <louisiana.edu...> wrote:
> >>
> >> If you cannot hear a bird’s vocalizations, Merlin is a miraculous aid.
> Clearly, if habitat is wrong and timing is wrong and you cannot find the
> bird, Merlin is mistaken or is recording a mimic.
> >> ________________________________
> >> From: <labird...> <labird...> on behalf of Charles
> Williams via groups.io <chazbizz91...>
> >> Sent: Saturday, April 18, 2026 10:12 PM
> >> To: Paul Conover <zoiseaux...>
> >> Cc: Harriett Pooler <harriett.pooler...>; <vnremsen...> <
> <vnremsen...>; Labird <labird...>
> >> Subject: Re: [labird] MERLIN audio -- warning!
> >>
> >> CAUTION: This email originated from outside of UL Lafayette. Do not
> click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know
> the content is safe.
> >>
> >>
> >> Well I'll take a slightly contrarian view and say I've enjoyed sorting
> out
> >> the rights, wrongs and maybes of what Merlin reports. On a recent
> visit to
> >> the Central sports park Merlin reported three species that would have
> been
> >> firsts for the site: limpkin, mallard and eastern meadowlark. Limpkin
> and
> >> meadowlark were both realistic albeit longshot possibilities given the
> >> habitat. But neither could be found after a close check of that
> habitat.
> >> So I concluded that known multilingual species, numerous in the area
> >> (starlings, blue jays, mockingbirds etc) must have been the source of
> the
> >> misidentified calls.
> >>
> >> Charles W
> >>
> >>> On Fri, Apr 17, 2026, 10:13 PM Paul Conover via groups.io <zoiseaux=
> >>> <lusfiber.net...> wrote:
> >>>
> >>> Harriet, Labird,
> >>>
> >>> I guess the first thing I'd check is a physical cause such as a
> >>> blocked microphone opening which might get lint or dust in it. In terms
> >>> of the inner workings of the app, I've had similar issues where no
> >>> species show up even when I hear singing close by, but it seems like
> >>> after a short delay the list sometimes populates and seems fine after
> >>> that. I just assume that's a glitch either in the program or the
> >>> connection, or possibly just that my phone has too many apps open. I
> >>> sometimes close all apps and reopen just Merlin. It tends to work, but
> >>> it may just be by chance. Another possibility is that the location
> isn't
> >>> set to the right geographical area, but it would take a bit of doing to
> >>> accidentally alter that setting. Updating the sound packets for each
> >>> region probably improves performance as well, but Merlin often reminds
> >>> me to update right when I'm in the middle of using the app in the field
> >>>
> >>> However, that does bring up an interesting and (to me) annoying
> >>> limitation with Merlin. If a species isn't expected where I'm birding,
> >>> Merlin typically just ignores it. I understand that Merlin needs to
> >>> narrow down the possibilities because many birds around the world make
> >>> similar sounds, but ideally if a really rare bird is present, it would
> >>> sure be nice if Merlin would tell me. When I think a rarity is present,
> >>> I've had to turn off the phone's GPS and manually switch the location
> in
> >>> the app to a location on Earth where that species is normally found or
> >>> Merlin won't admit that the bird is present. Off course, that reset
> >>> opens a Pandora's box where every vocal species present might get
> >>> misidentified as an exotic cousin.
> >>>
> >>> Merlin is a work in progress, but eventually if enough good
> >>> input is confirmed, it seems like the output will become reliable.
> >>> Birders like you and Van that state the shortcomings and glitches in
> the
> >>> program are probably doing the app a big favor by calling attention to
> >>> its flaws, and certainly doing the birding community a favor by making
> >>> everyone think twice about its results.
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> Paul Conover
> >>>
> >>> Lafayette
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>>> On 4/17/26 7:49 PM, Harriett Pooler wrote:
> >>>>> Van, Paul, and LaBird:
> >>>>>
> >>>>> I’ve had some false positives with Merlin too, and hearing in my
> right
> >>> ear isn’t what it used to be; however, my main problem is that Merlin
> >>> checks out at times and doesn’t pick up any birds or just some at other
> >>> times. I’ve seen this often on bird walks with multiple people whose
> Merlin
> >>> picks up birds while mine is on vacation. I’ve deleted the app and then
> >>> reinstalled which seems to help for a while. It is almost like it knows
> >>> there are other birders on Merlin in the same area and doesn’t put the
> >>> effort on all iPhones. Any suggestions?
> >>>>
> >>>> Harriett Pooler
> >>>> Baton Rouge
> >>>>
> >>>> Sent from my iPhone
> >>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
Date: 4/20/26 5:26 pm From: Paul Dickson via groups.io <paul...> Subject: Re: [labird] Cold front birds
Paul and Labird:
I was hoping for a day-after the cold front shorebird stopover event and went to the rice fields and moist soil managed area of RRNWR, the “Yates” tract between Shreveport and Coushatta. With north winds what I found were indeed the long distance migrants but not a whole lot more of them than others found before the.front at the same place. 3 Baird’s Sandpipers were new and nice especially when I was watching them from only 15 yards away and they squatted into the shallow water and seconds later burst up with a sharp call as a Peregrine shot by over my shoulder and chased after them and an America Golden Plover. Otherwise there were plentiful numbers of the expected shorebirds. A Blue Grosbeak was a new arrival. One Pectoral Sandpiper of a total of at least 250, probably more, was half white in feather groups, his wing, crown, an eyeline being usually colored and the remainer of his plumage pure white. The Pects were hiding in shallow water and old rice stubble in groups of 20-30, out of sight until I passed close enough walking down a rice levee to flush them. The sun was bright at 3-4PM and the Peregrine too probably had them acting that way. It was not a mass migration stopver but a nice day of shorebirds none the less.
Paul Dickson
Red River Parish
https://ebird.org/checklist/S324412701
From: <labird...> <labird...> On Behalf Of Paul Conover via groups.io
Sent: Monday, April 20, 2026 5:43 PM
To: <labird...>
Subject: [labird] Cold front birds
Labird, I'm curious about birding results from different areas tied to the weekend weather. Birding at Willow Island was pretty good yesterday, with good numbers of quite a few species. List at https://ebird.org/checklist/S324151398<https://ebird.org/checklist/S324151398> I'm seeing a bit of the same in my backyard today, with Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Wood Thrush, and Swainson's Thrush.Paul Conover Lafayette
Date: 4/20/26 3:53 pm From: Paul Conover via groups.io <zoiseaux...> Subject: Re: [labird] Cold front birds
List link didn't work for me. Maybe this one will.https://ebird.org/checklist/S324151398 -------- Original message --------From: "Paul Conover via groups.io" <zoiseaux...> Date: 4/20/26 5:42 PM (GMT-06:00) To: <labird...> Subject: [labird] Cold front birds Labird, I'm curious about birding results from different areas tied to the weekend weather. Birding at Willow Island was pretty good yesterday, with good numbers of quite a few species. List at https://ebird.org/checklist/S324151398 I'm seeing a bit of the same in my backyard today, with Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Wood Thrush, and Swainson's Thrush.Paul Conover Lafayette
Date: 4/20/26 3:42 pm From: Paul Conover via groups.io <zoiseaux...> Subject: [labird] Cold front birds
Labird, I'm curious about birding results from different areas tied to the weekend weather. Birding at Willow Island was pretty good yesterday, with good numbers of quite a few species. List at https://ebird.org/checklist/S324151398 I'm seeing a bit of the same in my backyard today, with Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Wood Thrush, and Swainson's Thrush.Paul Conover Lafayette
Date: 4/20/26 2:58 pm From: John Romano via groups.io <birderjuan...> Subject: Re: [labird] MERLIN audio -- warning!
My only input is that the bird “watchers” who use Merlin and who need the information in this thread the most, are most likely not on this listsrv, but rather on other media like the Facebook page Louisiana Birds. I often see photos of birds with remarks like “Merlin says . . . “ on that page if I go there. So question one:
Do people also use Merlin to identify photos?
Question Two: can the information on this thread be summarized and put on these other birding media to reach more people using Merlin vocal ID to make lists for EBird??
> On Apr 19, 2026, at 9:20 AM, Bill Fontenot via groups.io <williamrodneyfontenot...> wrote:
>
> Guess my thoughts on this matter are somewhat irrelevant re: this issue as I’m no longer able to bird “by eye”. Regardless, my hearing is still quite good.
>
> In my opinion, nothing beats the old-school method of learning birds by ear: when you hear a bird that you can’t identify by ear — or even a bird that you think you already know by ear but the bird’s vocalizations sound a little “off” — simply track the bird down and get a visual ID. In that process, the repeated vocalizations as you search, combined with the final visual ID serve to reinforce the audio learning experience. Begin with local birds to build your brain’s audio baseline and build your database from there.
>
> Using this method you’ll learn far more than Merlin. You’ll learn entire ranges of sounds made by each species (e.g. Carolina Wren). You’ll learn the mimics’ trickery (e.g. N Mocker, E Starling, Blue Jay). And most importantly you’ll learn to discern the voices of birds that you don’t know, which often turn out to be rarities.
>
> Re: Merlin, soon enough it will become able to properly ID any bird it can hear. I’m guessing there are also visual ID apps in the works if not already available. A “birder” will simply need the skill to use a smartphone. Gone will be critical thinking and the excitement of the chase.
>
> Happy “Birding”!
>
> Bill Fontenot
> Lafayette, LA
>
>> On Apr 19, 2026, at 8:33 AM, Jay V Huner via groups.io <jay.huner1...> wrote:
>>
>> If you cannot hear a bird’s vocalizations, Merlin is a miraculous aid. Clearly, if habitat is wrong and timing is wrong and you cannot find the bird, Merlin is mistaken or is recording a mimic.
>> ________________________________
>> From: <labird...> <labird...> on behalf of Charles Williams via groups.io <chazbizz91...>
>> Sent: Saturday, April 18, 2026 10:12 PM
>> To: Paul Conover <zoiseaux...>
>> Cc: Harriett Pooler <harriett.pooler...>; <vnremsen...> <vnremsen...>; Labird <labird...>
>> Subject: Re: [labird] MERLIN audio -- warning!
>>
>> CAUTION: This email originated from outside of UL Lafayette. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
>>
>>
>> Well I'll take a slightly contrarian view and say I've enjoyed sorting out
>> the rights, wrongs and maybes of what Merlin reports. On a recent visit to
>> the Central sports park Merlin reported three species that would have been
>> firsts for the site: limpkin, mallard and eastern meadowlark. Limpkin and
>> meadowlark were both realistic albeit longshot possibilities given the
>> habitat. But neither could be found after a close check of that habitat.
>> So I concluded that known multilingual species, numerous in the area
>> (starlings, blue jays, mockingbirds etc) must have been the source of the
>> misidentified calls.
>>
>> Charles W
>>
>>> On Fri, Apr 17, 2026, 10:13 PM Paul Conover via groups.io <zoiseaux=
>>> <lusfiber.net...> wrote:
>>>
>>> Harriet, Labird,
>>>
>>> I guess the first thing I'd check is a physical cause such as a
>>> blocked microphone opening which might get lint or dust in it. In terms
>>> of the inner workings of the app, I've had similar issues where no
>>> species show up even when I hear singing close by, but it seems like
>>> after a short delay the list sometimes populates and seems fine after
>>> that. I just assume that's a glitch either in the program or the
>>> connection, or possibly just that my phone has too many apps open. I
>>> sometimes close all apps and reopen just Merlin. It tends to work, but
>>> it may just be by chance. Another possibility is that the location isn't
>>> set to the right geographical area, but it would take a bit of doing to
>>> accidentally alter that setting. Updating the sound packets for each
>>> region probably improves performance as well, but Merlin often reminds
>>> me to update right when I'm in the middle of using the app in the field
>>>
>>> However, that does bring up an interesting and (to me) annoying
>>> limitation with Merlin. If a species isn't expected where I'm birding,
>>> Merlin typically just ignores it. I understand that Merlin needs to
>>> narrow down the possibilities because many birds around the world make
>>> similar sounds, but ideally if a really rare bird is present, it would
>>> sure be nice if Merlin would tell me. When I think a rarity is present,
>>> I've had to turn off the phone's GPS and manually switch the location in
>>> the app to a location on Earth where that species is normally found or
>>> Merlin won't admit that the bird is present. Off course, that reset
>>> opens a Pandora's box where every vocal species present might get
>>> misidentified as an exotic cousin.
>>>
>>> Merlin is a work in progress, but eventually if enough good
>>> input is confirmed, it seems like the output will become reliable.
>>> Birders like you and Van that state the shortcomings and glitches in the
>>> program are probably doing the app a big favor by calling attention to
>>> its flaws, and certainly doing the birding community a favor by making
>>> everyone think twice about its results.
>>>
>>>
>>> Paul Conover
>>>
>>> Lafayette
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>> On 4/17/26 7:49 PM, Harriett Pooler wrote:
>>>>> Van, Paul, and LaBird:
>>>>>
>>>>> I’ve had some false positives with Merlin too, and hearing in my right
>>> ear isn’t what it used to be; however, my main problem is that Merlin
>>> checks out at times and doesn’t pick up any birds or just some at other
>>> times. I’ve seen this often on bird walks with multiple people whose Merlin
>>> picks up birds while mine is on vacation. I’ve deleted the app and then
>>> reinstalled which seems to help for a while. It is almost like it knows
>>> there are other birders on Merlin in the same area and doesn’t put the
>>> effort on all iPhones. Any suggestions?
>>>>
>>>> Harriett Pooler
>>>> Baton Rouge
>>>>
>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>
>>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 4/20/26 1:46 pm From: Mac Myers via groups.io <budogmacm...> Subject: [labird] Cameron ferry and traffic
Given that it's peak spring migration time and LOS is meeting soon, I thought I'd pass along some information. The ferry has been out of service at times. Saturday evening I checked the LADOTD website to check ferry status. It has a new schedule: running 24 hrs. on weekdays; running only 6am-6pm on weekends. It was listed as in service. Sunday, after birding Willow I., I went to the ferry early afternoon, and it was down. The woman blocking the road in her truck said it was "broke." I returned to Willow, and decided to check the phone line for ferry status. It confirmed that the ferry was out of service, so I guess it is more or less up to date in real time. The number is: 888-613-3779, and I think it is good 24 hrs., with press 1 for Cameron.
I was birding Cameron Easter Monday, and headed from Holly Beach to the ferry eastbound around 4pm. The traffic was so heavy that the ferry filled up, and we had to wait for it to return. When we boarded, I could see that other vehicles well behind us in the line also had to await a return. And this was the big ferry. Also, traffic (presumably shift workers) in town and along 27 on the east side was unbelievable. Maybe it's just weekdays??? This Sunday traffic was not especially heavy.
Date: 4/20/26 11:13 am From: Harriett Pooler via groups.io <harriett.pooler...> Subject: Re: [labird] MERLIN audio -- warning!
Paul and LaBird,
Thank you for your suggestions. I am not a real techy person so thinking about things like shutting down used apps on my iphone does not occur to me. My cell phone is new, an iphone 17, which seems to be super sensitive so closing down apps may help as well as turning the phone off for a few minutes before starting it up again. Sometimes the simplest things are the hardest to figure out.
Cheers,
Harriett
> On Apr 19, 2026, at 9:20 AM, bill fontenot <williamrodneyfontenot...> wrote:
>
> Guess my thoughts on this matter are somewhat irrelevant re: this issue as I’m no longer able to bird “by eye”. Regardless, my hearing is still quite good.
>
> In my opinion, nothing beats the old-school method of learning birds by ear: when you hear a bird that you can’t identify by ear — or even a bird that you think you already know by ear but the bird’s vocalizations sound a little “off” — simply track the bird down and get a visual ID. In that process, the repeated vocalizations as you search, combined with the final visual ID serve to reinforce the audio learning experience. Begin with local birds to build your brain’s audio baseline and build your database from there.
>
> Using this method you’ll learn far more than Merlin. You’ll learn entire ranges of sounds made by each species (e.g. Carolina Wren). You’ll learn the mimics’ trickery (e.g. N Mocker, E Starling, Blue Jay). And most importantly you’ll learn to discern the voices of birds that you don’t know, which often turn out to be rarities.
>
> Re: Merlin, soon enough it will become able to properly ID any bird it can hear. I’m guessing there are also visual ID apps in the works if not already available. A “birder” will simply need the skill to use a smartphone. Gone will be critical thinking and the excitement of the chase.
>
> Happy “Birding”!
>
> Bill Fontenot
> Lafayette, LA
>
>> On Apr 19, 2026, at 8:33 AM, Jay V Huner via groups.io <jay.huner1...> wrote:
>>
>> If you cannot hear a bird’s vocalizations, Merlin is a miraculous aid. Clearly, if habitat is wrong and timing is wrong and you cannot find the bird, Merlin is mistaken or is recording a mimic.
>> ________________________________
>> From: <labird...> <labird...> on behalf of Charles Williams via groups.io <chazbizz91...>
>> Sent: Saturday, April 18, 2026 10:12 PM
>> To: Paul Conover <zoiseaux...>
>> Cc: Harriett Pooler <harriett.pooler...>; <vnremsen...> <vnremsen...>; Labird <labird...>
>> Subject: Re: [labird] MERLIN audio -- warning!
>>
>> CAUTION: This email originated from outside of UL Lafayette. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
>>
>>
>> Well I'll take a slightly contrarian view and say I've enjoyed sorting out
>> the rights, wrongs and maybes of what Merlin reports. On a recent visit to
>> the Central sports park Merlin reported three species that would have been
>> firsts for the site: limpkin, mallard and eastern meadowlark. Limpkin and
>> meadowlark were both realistic albeit longshot possibilities given the
>> habitat. But neither could be found after a close check of that habitat.
>> So I concluded that known multilingual species, numerous in the area
>> (starlings, blue jays, mockingbirds etc) must have been the source of the
>> misidentified calls.
>>
>> Charles W
>>
>>> On Fri, Apr 17, 2026, 10:13 PM Paul Conover via groups.io <zoiseaux=
>>> <lusfiber.net...> wrote:
>>>
>>> Harriet, Labird,
>>>
>>> I guess the first thing I'd check is a physical cause such as a
>>> blocked microphone opening which might get lint or dust in it. In terms
>>> of the inner workings of the app, I've had similar issues where no
>>> species show up even when I hear singing close by, but it seems like
>>> after a short delay the list sometimes populates and seems fine after
>>> that. I just assume that's a glitch either in the program or the
>>> connection, or possibly just that my phone has too many apps open. I
>>> sometimes close all apps and reopen just Merlin. It tends to work, but
>>> it may just be by chance. Another possibility is that the location isn't
>>> set to the right geographical area, but it would take a bit of doing to
>>> accidentally alter that setting. Updating the sound packets for each
>>> region probably improves performance as well, but Merlin often reminds
>>> me to update right when I'm in the middle of using the app in the field
>>>
>>> However, that does bring up an interesting and (to me) annoying
>>> limitation with Merlin. If a species isn't expected where I'm birding,
>>> Merlin typically just ignores it. I understand that Merlin needs to
>>> narrow down the possibilities because many birds around the world make
>>> similar sounds, but ideally if a really rare bird is present, it would
>>> sure be nice if Merlin would tell me. When I think a rarity is present,
>>> I've had to turn off the phone's GPS and manually switch the location in
>>> the app to a location on Earth where that species is normally found or
>>> Merlin won't admit that the bird is present. Off course, that reset
>>> opens a Pandora's box where every vocal species present might get
>>> misidentified as an exotic cousin.
>>>
>>> Merlin is a work in progress, but eventually if enough good
>>> input is confirmed, it seems like the output will become reliable.
>>> Birders like you and Van that state the shortcomings and glitches in the
>>> program are probably doing the app a big favor by calling attention to
>>> its flaws, and certainly doing the birding community a favor by making
>>> everyone think twice about its results.
>>>
>>>
>>> Paul Conover
>>>
>>> Lafayette
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>> On 4/17/26 7:49 PM, Harriett Pooler wrote:
>>>>> Van, Paul, and LaBird:
>>>>>
>>>>> I’ve had some false positives with Merlin too, and hearing in my right
>>> ear isn’t what it used to be; however, my main problem is that Merlin
>>> checks out at times and doesn’t pick up any birds or just some at other
>>> times. I’ve seen this often on bird walks with multiple people whose Merlin
>>> picks up birds while mine is on vacation. I’ve deleted the app and then
>>> reinstalled which seems to help for a while. It is almost like it knows
>>> there are other birders on Merlin in the same area and doesn’t put the
>>> effort on all iPhones. Any suggestions?
>>>>
>>>> Harriett Pooler
>>>> Baton Rouge
>>>>
>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>
>>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
Date: 4/19/26 7:20 am From: Bill Fontenot via groups.io <williamrodneyfontenot...> Subject: Re: [labird] MERLIN audio -- warning!
Guess my thoughts on this matter are somewhat irrelevant re: this issue as I’m no longer able to bird “by eye”. Regardless, my hearing is still quite good.
In my opinion, nothing beats the old-school method of learning birds by ear: when you hear a bird that you can’t identify by ear — or even a bird that you think you already know by ear but the bird’s vocalizations sound a little “off” — simply track the bird down and get a visual ID. In that process, the repeated vocalizations as you search, combined with the final visual ID serve to reinforce the audio learning experience. Begin with local birds to build your brain’s audio baseline and build your database from there.
Using this method you’ll learn far more than Merlin. You’ll learn entire ranges of sounds made by each species (e.g. Carolina Wren). You’ll learn the mimics’ trickery (e.g. N Mocker, E Starling, Blue Jay). And most importantly you’ll learn to discern the voices of birds that you don’t know, which often turn out to be rarities.
Re: Merlin, soon enough it will become able to properly ID any bird it can hear. I’m guessing there are also visual ID apps in the works if not already available. A “birder” will simply need the skill to use a smartphone. Gone will be critical thinking and the excitement of the chase.
Happy “Birding”!
Bill Fontenot
Lafayette, LA
> On Apr 19, 2026, at 8:33 AM, Jay V Huner via groups.io <jay.huner1...> wrote:
>
> If you cannot hear a bird’s vocalizations, Merlin is a miraculous aid. Clearly, if habitat is wrong and timing is wrong and you cannot find the bird, Merlin is mistaken or is recording a mimic.
> ________________________________
> From: <labird...> <labird...> on behalf of Charles Williams via groups.io <chazbizz91...>
> Sent: Saturday, April 18, 2026 10:12 PM
> To: Paul Conover <zoiseaux...>
> Cc: Harriett Pooler <harriett.pooler...>; <vnremsen...> <vnremsen...>; Labird <labird...>
> Subject: Re: [labird] MERLIN audio -- warning!
>
> CAUTION: This email originated from outside of UL Lafayette. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
>
>
> Well I'll take a slightly contrarian view and say I've enjoyed sorting out
> the rights, wrongs and maybes of what Merlin reports. On a recent visit to
> the Central sports park Merlin reported three species that would have been
> firsts for the site: limpkin, mallard and eastern meadowlark. Limpkin and
> meadowlark were both realistic albeit longshot possibilities given the
> habitat. But neither could be found after a close check of that habitat.
> So I concluded that known multilingual species, numerous in the area
> (starlings, blue jays, mockingbirds etc) must have been the source of the
> misidentified calls.
>
> Charles W
>
>> On Fri, Apr 17, 2026, 10:13 PM Paul Conover via groups.io <zoiseaux=
>> <lusfiber.net...> wrote:
>>
>> Harriet, Labird,
>>
>> I guess the first thing I'd check is a physical cause such as a
>> blocked microphone opening which might get lint or dust in it. In terms
>> of the inner workings of the app, I've had similar issues where no
>> species show up even when I hear singing close by, but it seems like
>> after a short delay the list sometimes populates and seems fine after
>> that. I just assume that's a glitch either in the program or the
>> connection, or possibly just that my phone has too many apps open. I
>> sometimes close all apps and reopen just Merlin. It tends to work, but
>> it may just be by chance. Another possibility is that the location isn't
>> set to the right geographical area, but it would take a bit of doing to
>> accidentally alter that setting. Updating the sound packets for each
>> region probably improves performance as well, but Merlin often reminds
>> me to update right when I'm in the middle of using the app in the field
>>
>> However, that does bring up an interesting and (to me) annoying
>> limitation with Merlin. If a species isn't expected where I'm birding,
>> Merlin typically just ignores it. I understand that Merlin needs to
>> narrow down the possibilities because many birds around the world make
>> similar sounds, but ideally if a really rare bird is present, it would
>> sure be nice if Merlin would tell me. When I think a rarity is present,
>> I've had to turn off the phone's GPS and manually switch the location in
>> the app to a location on Earth where that species is normally found or
>> Merlin won't admit that the bird is present. Off course, that reset
>> opens a Pandora's box where every vocal species present might get
>> misidentified as an exotic cousin.
>>
>> Merlin is a work in progress, but eventually if enough good
>> input is confirmed, it seems like the output will become reliable.
>> Birders like you and Van that state the shortcomings and glitches in the
>> program are probably doing the app a big favor by calling attention to
>> its flaws, and certainly doing the birding community a favor by making
>> everyone think twice about its results.
>>
>>
>> Paul Conover
>>
>> Lafayette
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>> On 4/17/26 7:49 PM, Harriett Pooler wrote:
>>> Van, Paul, and LaBird:
>>>
>>> I’ve had some false positives with Merlin too, and hearing in my right
>> ear isn’t what it used to be; however, my main problem is that Merlin
>> checks out at times and doesn’t pick up any birds or just some at other
>> times. I’ve seen this often on bird walks with multiple people whose Merlin
>> picks up birds while mine is on vacation. I’ve deleted the app and then
>> reinstalled which seems to help for a while. It is almost like it knows
>> there are other birders on Merlin in the same area and doesn’t put the
>> effort on all iPhones. Any suggestions?
>>>
>>> Harriett Pooler
>>> Baton Rouge
>>>
>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>
>>>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 4/19/26 6:41 am From: Jay V Huner via groups.io <jay.huner1...> Subject: Re: [labird] MERLIN audio -- warning!
If you cannot hear a bird’s vocalizations, Merlin is a miraculous aid. Clearly, if habitat is wrong and timing is wrong and you cannot find the bird, Merlin is mistaken or is recording a mimic.
________________________________
From: <labird...> <labird...> on behalf of Charles Williams via groups.io <chazbizz91...>
Sent: Saturday, April 18, 2026 10:12 PM
To: Paul Conover <zoiseaux...>
Cc: Harriett Pooler <harriett.pooler...>; <vnremsen...> <vnremsen...>; Labird <labird...>
Subject: Re: [labird] MERLIN audio -- warning!
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of UL Lafayette. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Well I'll take a slightly contrarian view and say I've enjoyed sorting out
the rights, wrongs and maybes of what Merlin reports. On a recent visit to
the Central sports park Merlin reported three species that would have been
firsts for the site: limpkin, mallard and eastern meadowlark. Limpkin and
meadowlark were both realistic albeit longshot possibilities given the
habitat. But neither could be found after a close check of that habitat.
So I concluded that known multilingual species, numerous in the area
(starlings, blue jays, mockingbirds etc) must have been the source of the
misidentified calls.
Charles W
On Fri, Apr 17, 2026, 10:13 PM Paul Conover via groups.io <zoiseaux=
<lusfiber.net...> wrote:
> Harriet, Labird,
>
> I guess the first thing I'd check is a physical cause such as a
> blocked microphone opening which might get lint or dust in it. In terms
> of the inner workings of the app, I've had similar issues where no
> species show up even when I hear singing close by, but it seems like
> after a short delay the list sometimes populates and seems fine after
> that. I just assume that's a glitch either in the program or the
> connection, or possibly just that my phone has too many apps open. I
> sometimes close all apps and reopen just Merlin. It tends to work, but
> it may just be by chance. Another possibility is that the location isn't
> set to the right geographical area, but it would take a bit of doing to
> accidentally alter that setting. Updating the sound packets for each
> region probably improves performance as well, but Merlin often reminds
> me to update right when I'm in the middle of using the app in the field
>
> However, that does bring up an interesting and (to me) annoying
> limitation with Merlin. If a species isn't expected where I'm birding,
> Merlin typically just ignores it. I understand that Merlin needs to
> narrow down the possibilities because many birds around the world make
> similar sounds, but ideally if a really rare bird is present, it would
> sure be nice if Merlin would tell me. When I think a rarity is present,
> I've had to turn off the phone's GPS and manually switch the location in
> the app to a location on Earth where that species is normally found or
> Merlin won't admit that the bird is present. Off course, that reset
> opens a Pandora's box where every vocal species present might get
> misidentified as an exotic cousin.
>
> Merlin is a work in progress, but eventually if enough good
> input is confirmed, it seems like the output will become reliable.
> Birders like you and Van that state the shortcomings and glitches in the
> program are probably doing the app a big favor by calling attention to
> its flaws, and certainly doing the birding community a favor by making
> everyone think twice about its results.
>
>
> Paul Conover
>
> Lafayette
>
>
>
>
> On 4/17/26 7:49 PM, Harriett Pooler wrote:
> > Van, Paul, and LaBird:
> >
> > I’ve had some false positives with Merlin too, and hearing in my right
> ear isn’t what it used to be; however, my main problem is that Merlin
> checks out at times and doesn’t pick up any birds or just some at other
> times. I’ve seen this often on bird walks with multiple people whose Merlin
> picks up birds while mine is on vacation. I’ve deleted the app and then
> reinstalled which seems to help for a while. It is almost like it knows
> there are other birders on Merlin in the same area and doesn’t put the
> effort on all iPhones. Any suggestions?
> >
> > Harriett Pooler
> > Baton Rouge
> >
> > Sent from my iPhone
> >
> >>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 4/19/26 6:04 am From: Michael Cavanaugh via groups.io <michaelcav...> Subject: [labird] Merlin and AI
Friends, I don't know if anyone has mentioned this (because I didn't read every post), but I went to AI and asked it what Merlin is most likely to err on for individual birds. For example I frequently get a hit for Common Yellowthroat in my yard, and AI explained that, at any distance, AI might think a Carolina Wren is a Common Yellowthroat (I think it was). Which prompts me to wonder if Merlin itself has information as to what errors are most common for what birds in what locations? Michael
In a message dated 4/19/2026 5:12:33 AM Central Daylight Time, <chazbizz91...> writes:
Well I'll take a slightly contrarian view and say I've enjoyed sorting outthe rights, wrongs and maybes of what Merlin reports. On a recent visit tothe Central sports park Merlin reported three species that would have beenfirsts for the site: limpkin, mallard and eastern meadowlark. Limpkin andmeadowlark were both realistic albeit longshot possibilities given thehabitat. But neither could be found after a close check of that habitat.So I concluded that known multilingual species, numerous in the area(starlings, blue jays, mockingbirds etc) must have been the source of themisidentified calls. Charles W On Fri, Apr 17, 2026, 10:13 PM Paul Conover via groups.io <zoiseaux...> wrote: > Harriet, Labird,>> I guess the first thing I'd check is a physical cause such as a> blocked microphone opening which might get lint or dust in it. In terms> of the inner workings of the app, I've had similar issues where no> species show up even when I hear singing close by, but it seems like> after a short delay the list sometimes populates and seems fine after> that. I just assume that's a glitch either in the program or the> connection, or possibly just that my phone has too many apps open. I> sometimes close all apps and reopen just Merlin. It tends to work, but> it may just be by chance. Another possibility is that the location isn't> set to the right geographical area, but it would take a bit of doing to> accidentally alter that setting. Updating the sound packets for each> region probably improves performance as well, but Merlin often reminds> me to update right when I'm in the middle of using the app in the field>> However, that does bring up an interesting and (to me) annoying> limitation with Merlin. If a species isn't expected where I'm birding,> Merlin typically just ignores it. I understand that Merlin needs to> narrow down the possibilities because many birds around the world make> similar sounds, but ideally if a really rare bird is present, it would> sure be nice if Merlin would tell me. When I think a rarity is present,> I've had to turn off the phone's GPS and manually switch the location in> the app to a location on Earth where that species is normally found or> Merlin won't admit that the bird is present. Off course, that reset> opens a Pandora's box where every vocal species present might get> misidentified as an exotic cousin.>> Merlin is a work in progress, but eventually if enough good> input is confirmed, it seems like the output will become reliable.> Birders like you and Van that state the shortcomings and glitches in the> program are probably doing the app a big favor by calling attention to> its flaws, and certainly doing the birding community a favor by making> everyone think twice about its results.>>> Paul Conover>> Lafayette>>>>> On 4/17/26 7:49 PM, Harriett Pooler wrote:> > Van, Paul, and LaBird:> >> > I’ve had some false positives with Merlin too, and hearing in my right> ear isn’t what it used to be; however, my main problem is that Merlin> checks out at times and doesn’t pick up any birds or just some at other> times. I’ve seen this often on bird walks with multiple people whose Merlin> picks up birds while mine is on vacation. I’ve deleted the app and then> reinstalled which seems to help for a while. It is almost like it knows> there are other birders on Merlin in the same area and doesn’t put the> effort on all iPhones. Any suggestions?> >> > Harriett Pooler> > Baton Rouge> >> > Sent from my iPhone> >> >>>>> >>>
Date: 4/19/26 3:12 am From: Charles Williams via groups.io <chazbizz91...> Subject: Re: [labird] MERLIN audio -- warning!
Well I'll take a slightly contrarian view and say I've enjoyed sorting out
the rights, wrongs and maybes of what Merlin reports. On a recent visit to
the Central sports park Merlin reported three species that would have been
firsts for the site: limpkin, mallard and eastern meadowlark. Limpkin and
meadowlark were both realistic albeit longshot possibilities given the
habitat. But neither could be found after a close check of that habitat.
So I concluded that known multilingual species, numerous in the area
(starlings, blue jays, mockingbirds etc) must have been the source of the
misidentified calls.
Charles W
On Fri, Apr 17, 2026, 10:13 PM Paul Conover via groups.io <zoiseaux=
<lusfiber.net...> wrote:
> Harriet, Labird,
>
> I guess the first thing I'd check is a physical cause such as a
> blocked microphone opening which might get lint or dust in it. In terms
> of the inner workings of the app, I've had similar issues where no
> species show up even when I hear singing close by, but it seems like
> after a short delay the list sometimes populates and seems fine after
> that. I just assume that's a glitch either in the program or the
> connection, or possibly just that my phone has too many apps open. I
> sometimes close all apps and reopen just Merlin. It tends to work, but
> it may just be by chance. Another possibility is that the location isn't
> set to the right geographical area, but it would take a bit of doing to
> accidentally alter that setting. Updating the sound packets for each
> region probably improves performance as well, but Merlin often reminds
> me to update right when I'm in the middle of using the app in the field
>
> However, that does bring up an interesting and (to me) annoying
> limitation with Merlin. If a species isn't expected where I'm birding,
> Merlin typically just ignores it. I understand that Merlin needs to
> narrow down the possibilities because many birds around the world make
> similar sounds, but ideally if a really rare bird is present, it would
> sure be nice if Merlin would tell me. When I think a rarity is present,
> I've had to turn off the phone's GPS and manually switch the location in
> the app to a location on Earth where that species is normally found or
> Merlin won't admit that the bird is present. Off course, that reset
> opens a Pandora's box where every vocal species present might get
> misidentified as an exotic cousin.
>
> Merlin is a work in progress, but eventually if enough good
> input is confirmed, it seems like the output will become reliable.
> Birders like you and Van that state the shortcomings and glitches in the
> program are probably doing the app a big favor by calling attention to
> its flaws, and certainly doing the birding community a favor by making
> everyone think twice about its results.
>
>
> Paul Conover
>
> Lafayette
>
>
>
>
> On 4/17/26 7:49 PM, Harriett Pooler wrote:
> > Van, Paul, and LaBird:
> >
> > I’ve had some false positives with Merlin too, and hearing in my right
> ear isn’t what it used to be; however, my main problem is that Merlin
> checks out at times and doesn’t pick up any birds or just some at other
> times. I’ve seen this often on bird walks with multiple people whose Merlin
> picks up birds while mine is on vacation. I’ve deleted the app and then
> reinstalled which seems to help for a while. It is almost like it knows
> there are other birders on Merlin in the same area and doesn’t put the
> effort on all iPhones. Any suggestions?
> >
> > Harriett Pooler
> > Baton Rouge
> >
> > Sent from my iPhone
> >
> >>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 4/17/26 8:13 pm From: Paul Conover via groups.io <zoiseaux...> Subject: Re: [labird] MERLIN audio -- warning!
Harriet, Labird,
I guess the first thing I'd check is a physical cause such as a
blocked microphone opening which might get lint or dust in it. In terms
of the inner workings of the app, I've had similar issues where no
species show up even when I hear singing close by, but it seems like
after a short delay the list sometimes populates and seems fine after
that. I just assume that's a glitch either in the program or the
connection, or possibly just that my phone has too many apps open. I
sometimes close all apps and reopen just Merlin. It tends to work, but
it may just be by chance. Another possibility is that the location isn't
set to the right geographical area, but it would take a bit of doing to
accidentally alter that setting. Updating the sound packets for each
region probably improves performance as well, but Merlin often reminds
me to update right when I'm in the middle of using the app in the field
However, that does bring up an interesting and (to me) annoying
limitation with Merlin. If a species isn't expected where I'm birding,
Merlin typically just ignores it. I understand that Merlin needs to
narrow down the possibilities because many birds around the world make
similar sounds, but ideally if a really rare bird is present, it would
sure be nice if Merlin would tell me. When I think a rarity is present,
I've had to turn off the phone's GPS and manually switch the location in
the app to a location on Earth where that species is normally found or
Merlin won't admit that the bird is present. Off course, that reset
opens a Pandora's box where every vocal species present might get
misidentified as an exotic cousin.
Merlin is a work in progress, but eventually if enough good
input is confirmed, it seems like the output will become reliable.
Birders like you and Van that state the shortcomings and glitches in the
program are probably doing the app a big favor by calling attention to
its flaws, and certainly doing the birding community a favor by making
everyone think twice about its results.
Paul Conover
Lafayette
On 4/17/26 7:49 PM, Harriett Pooler wrote:
> Van, Paul, and LaBird:
>
> I’ve had some false positives with Merlin too, and hearing in my right ear isn’t what it used to be; however, my main problem is that Merlin checks out at times and doesn’t pick up any birds or just some at other times. I’ve seen this often on bird walks with multiple people whose Merlin picks up birds while mine is on vacation. I’ve deleted the app and then reinstalled which seems to help for a while. It is almost like it knows there are other birders on Merlin in the same area and doesn’t put the effort on all iPhones. Any suggestions?
>
> Harriett Pooler
> Baton Rouge
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>>
I’ve had some false positives with Merlin too, and hearing in my right ear isn’t what it used to be; however, my main problem is that Merlin checks out at times and doesn’t pick up any birds or just some at other times. I’ve seen this often on bird walks with multiple people whose Merlin picks up birds while mine is on vacation. I’ve deleted the app and then reinstalled which seems to help for a while. It is almost like it knows there are other birders on Merlin in the same area and doesn’t put the effort on all iPhones. Any suggestions?
Harriett Pooler
Baton Rouge
> On Apr 17, 2026, at 5:14 PM, Paul Conover via groups.io <zoiseaux...> wrote:
>
> Van, LABird,
>
> Because my hearing is schizo (profound loss of highs, above
> average lows), I use Merlin at times to see if calling high-pitched
> species like Cedar Waxwings are present, but I often notice that Merlin
> has issues with distant doves and owls.
>
> So, I take Merlinisms with a grain of salt, both in the field and
> when looking at checklists. I've noticed many of the same false positive
> species as Van, which makes me wonder if isolated reports of some of
> those species at well-birded locales are Merlin-heard-only but not noted
> as such. My advice would be that birders indicate that fact on their lists.
>
> Paul Conover
>
> Lafayette
>
>
>> On 4/16/26 12:14 PM, Van Remsen via groups.io wrote:
>> LABIRD: Most people in this venue have heard multiple times that MERLIN frequently makes mistakes and should never be relied on as the sole evidence for an eBird entry. Merlin's own directions emphasize this. Yet many eBirder seem unaware of this and treat Merlin hits as sufficient evidence for presence.
>>
>> Yesterday provided a poignant example. A single Summer Tanager singing was identified as 3 separate species: Am. Robin, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and Summer Tanager. Yes, the same individual bird. Yeah, the songs are kind of similar but not THAT similar.
>>
>> As I have mentioned previously, I did 30 trials of 30 minutes at my place in St. Gabriel and NOT ONE was without 1 to 5 obvious or highly suspicious false positives. Since then, I've done dozens of unofficial trials with the same outcome. You would think just by chance I'd have a "clean" trial every so often. The most frequent local false positives are Red-eyed Vireo, House Sparrow, E. Towhee, Baltimore Oriole, Y-b Chat, Am. Robin, and Rock Pigeon. On the other hand, Merlin often misses Fish Crow, Y-b Cuckoo, Mourning Dove, Barred Owl, and Screech Owl if they are more than couple hundred yards away, and misses Brown Thrasher "Chack" calls even at close range.
>>
>> Van Remsen
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 4/17/26 3:14 pm From: Paul Conover via groups.io <zoiseaux...> Subject: Re: [labird] MERLIN audio -- warning!
Van, LABird,
Because my hearing is schizo (profound loss of highs, above
average lows), I use Merlin at times to see if calling high-pitched
species like Cedar Waxwings are present, but I often notice that Merlin
has issues with distant doves and owls.
So, I take Merlinisms with a grain of salt, both in the field and
when looking at checklists. I've noticed many of the same false positive
species as Van, which makes me wonder if isolated reports of some of
those species at well-birded locales are Merlin-heard-only but not noted
as such. My advice would be that birders indicate that fact on their lists.
Paul Conover
Lafayette
On 4/16/26 12:14 PM, Van Remsen via groups.io wrote:
> LABIRD: Most people in this venue have heard multiple times that MERLIN frequently makes mistakes and should never be relied on as the sole evidence for an eBird entry. Merlin's own directions emphasize this. Yet many eBirder seem unaware of this and treat Merlin hits as sufficient evidence for presence.
>
> Yesterday provided a poignant example. A single Summer Tanager singing was identified as 3 separate species: Am. Robin, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and Summer Tanager. Yes, the same individual bird. Yeah, the songs are kind of similar but not THAT similar.
>
> As I have mentioned previously, I did 30 trials of 30 minutes at my place in St. Gabriel and NOT ONE was without 1 to 5 obvious or highly suspicious false positives. Since then, I've done dozens of unofficial trials with the same outcome. You would think just by chance I'd have a "clean" trial every so often. The most frequent local false positives are Red-eyed Vireo, House Sparrow, E. Towhee, Baltimore Oriole, Y-b Chat, Am. Robin, and Rock Pigeon. On the other hand, Merlin often misses Fish Crow, Y-b Cuckoo, Mourning Dove, Barred Owl, and Screech Owl if they are more than couple hundred yards away, and misses Brown Thrasher "Chack" calls even at close range.
>
> Van Remsen
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 4/17/26 12:47 pm From: Van Remsen via groups.io <vnremsen...> Subject: Re: [labird] MERLIN audio -- warning!
One of my best Merlin yard "records":
On Thu, Apr 16, 2026 at 5:29 PM Van Remsen via groups.io <vnremsen=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> Before I get accused of "hating Merlin", I should follow-up by making it
> clear that I think Merlin is great for learning bird songs and detecting
> species one might not have noticed. It's an amazing tool. What I "hate"
> is when Merlin output is uncritically considered the same as eBird input.
> "Trust but Verify" as the saying goes.
>
> Van Remsen
>
> On Thu, Apr 16, 2026 at 12:14 PM Van Remsen via groups.io <vnremsen=
> <gmail.com...> wrote:
>
> > LABIRD: Most people in this venue have heard multiple times that MERLIN
> > frequently makes mistakes and should never be relied on as the sole
> > evidence for an eBird entry. Merlin's own directions emphasize this. Yet
> > many eBirder seem unaware of this and treat Merlin hits as sufficient
> > evidence for presence.
> >
> > Yesterday provided a poignant example. A single Summer Tanager singing
> > was identified as 3 separate species: Am. Robin, Rose-breasted Grosbeak,
> > and Summer Tanager. Yes, the same individual bird. Yeah, the songs are
> > kind of similar but not THAT similar.
> >
> > As I have mentioned previously, I did 30 trials of 30 minutes at my place
> > in St. Gabriel and NOT ONE was without 1 to 5 obvious or highly
> suspicious
> > false positives. Since then, I've done dozens of unofficial trials with
> > the same outcome. You would think just by chance I'd have a "clean"
> trial
> > every so often. The most frequent local false positives are Red-eyed
> > Vireo, House Sparrow, E. Towhee, Baltimore Oriole, Y-b Chat, Am. Robin,
> and
> > Rock Pigeon. On the other hand, Merlin often misses Fish Crow, Y-b
> Cuckoo,
> > Mourning Dove, Barred Owl, and Screech Owl if they are more than couple
> > hundred yards away, and misses Brown Thrasher "Chack" calls even at close
> > range.
> >
> > Van Remsen
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 4/17/26 3:39 am From: Jennifer Outlaw Coulson via groups.io <jenniferocoulson...> Subject: Re: [labird] MERLIN audio -- warning!
FYI, I've noticed that Merlin sometimes confuses the Osprey's food-begging
vocalization for Swallow-tailed Kite.
Jennifer Coulson
On Thu, Apr 16, 2026 at 7:39 PM Debra Babin via groups.io <Debra.b=
<me.com...> wrote:
> I’ve noticed that Merlin will sometimes pick up a bird that was very far
> away, that I didn’t hear at the time because I was focusing on a closer
> bird. When I see the species light up on the screen, I can switch my
> attention and try to find the other bird(s) that Merlin showed.
>
> This made me aware of another challenge I could face is when two birds are
> calling at the same time and Merlin catches the distant one I didn’t hear,
> but not the closer one I did hear. If those birds were new to me, I could
> be “learning” the wrong things. This is yet another reason not to blindly
> trust Merlin’s output.
>
> Part of me wishes, Merlin would add frog chirps to their app. I sometimes
> get frustrated when nothing shows up on Merlin, then realize it wasn’t a
> bird! 😂
>
> —Debra
>
> On Apr 16, 2026, at 6:51 PM, Michael Bernard via groups.io <mbernard128=
> <gmail.com...> wrote:
>
> Well said. Merlin has really enhanced my birding by ear, especially when
> I am out west or anywhere else I don’t spend much time. But it shouldn’t be
> the sole criterion for a bird record. Great tool when used the right way.
>
> > On Apr 16, 2026, at 5:29 PM, Van Remsen via groups.io <vnremsen=
> <gmail.com...> wrote:
> >
> > Before I get accused of "hating Merlin", I should follow-up by making it
> > clear that I think Merlin is great for learning bird songs and detecting
> > species one might not have noticed. It's an amazing tool. What I "hate"
> > is when Merlin output is uncritically considered the same as eBird input.
> > "Trust but Verify" as the saying goes.
> >
> > Van Remsen
> >
> >> On Thu, Apr 16, 2026 at 12:14 PM Van Remsen via groups.io <vnremsen=
> >> <gmail.com...> wrote:
> >>
> >> LABIRD: Most people in this venue have heard multiple times that MERLIN
> >> frequently makes mistakes and should never be relied on as the sole
> >> evidence for an eBird entry. Merlin's own directions emphasize this.
> Yet
> >> many eBirder seem unaware of this and treat Merlin hits as sufficient
> >> evidence for presence.
> >>
> >> Yesterday provided a poignant example. A single Summer Tanager singing
> >> was identified as 3 separate species: Am. Robin, Rose-breasted Grosbeak,
> >> and Summer Tanager. Yes, the same individual bird. Yeah, the songs are
> >> kind of similar but not THAT similar.
> >>
> >> As I have mentioned previously, I did 30 trials of 30 minutes at my
> place
> >> in St. Gabriel and NOT ONE was without 1 to 5 obvious or highly
> suspicious
> >> false positives. Since then, I've done dozens of unofficial trials with
> >> the same outcome. You would think just by chance I'd have a "clean"
> trial
> >> every so often. The most frequent local false positives are Red-eyed
> >> Vireo, House Sparrow, E. Towhee, Baltimore Oriole, Y-b Chat, Am. Robin,
> and
> >> Rock Pigeon. On the other hand, Merlin often misses Fish Crow, Y-b
> Cuckoo,
> >> Mourning Dove, Barred Owl, and Screech Owl if they are more than couple
> >> hundred yards away, and misses Brown Thrasher "Chack" calls even at
> close
> >> range.
> >>
> >> Van Remsen
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
I’ve noticed that Merlin will sometimes pick up a bird that was very far away, that I didn’t hear at the time because I was focusing on a closer bird. When I see the species light up on the screen, I can switch my attention and try to find the other bird(s) that Merlin showed.
This made me aware of another challenge I could face is when two birds are calling at the same time and Merlin catches the distant one I didn’t hear, but not the closer one I did hear. If those birds were new to me, I could be “learning” the wrong things. This is yet another reason not to blindly trust Merlin’s output.
Part of me wishes, Merlin would add frog chirps to their app. I sometimes get frustrated when nothing shows up on Merlin, then realize it wasn’t a bird! 😂
—Debra
On Apr 16, 2026, at 6:51 PM, Michael Bernard via groups.io <mbernard128...> wrote:
Well said. Merlin has really enhanced my birding by ear, especially when I am out west or anywhere else I don’t spend much time. But it shouldn’t be the sole criterion for a bird record. Great tool when used the right way.
> On Apr 16, 2026, at 5:29 PM, Van Remsen via groups.io <vnremsen...> wrote:
>
> Before I get accused of "hating Merlin", I should follow-up by making it
> clear that I think Merlin is great for learning bird songs and detecting
> species one might not have noticed. It's an amazing tool. What I "hate"
> is when Merlin output is uncritically considered the same as eBird input.
> "Trust but Verify" as the saying goes.
>
> Van Remsen
>
>> On Thu, Apr 16, 2026 at 12:14 PM Van Remsen via groups.io <vnremsen=
>> <gmail.com...> wrote:
>>
>> LABIRD: Most people in this venue have heard multiple times that MERLIN
>> frequently makes mistakes and should never be relied on as the sole
>> evidence for an eBird entry. Merlin's own directions emphasize this. Yet
>> many eBirder seem unaware of this and treat Merlin hits as sufficient
>> evidence for presence.
>>
>> Yesterday provided a poignant example. A single Summer Tanager singing
>> was identified as 3 separate species: Am. Robin, Rose-breasted Grosbeak,
>> and Summer Tanager. Yes, the same individual bird. Yeah, the songs are
>> kind of similar but not THAT similar.
>>
>> As I have mentioned previously, I did 30 trials of 30 minutes at my place
>> in St. Gabriel and NOT ONE was without 1 to 5 obvious or highly suspicious
>> false positives. Since then, I've done dozens of unofficial trials with
>> the same outcome. You would think just by chance I'd have a "clean" trial
>> every so often. The most frequent local false positives are Red-eyed
>> Vireo, House Sparrow, E. Towhee, Baltimore Oriole, Y-b Chat, Am. Robin, and
>> Rock Pigeon. On the other hand, Merlin often misses Fish Crow, Y-b Cuckoo,
>> Mourning Dove, Barred Owl, and Screech Owl if they are more than couple
>> hundred yards away, and misses Brown Thrasher "Chack" calls even at close
>> range.
>>
>> Van Remsen
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 4/16/26 4:51 pm From: Michael Bernard via groups.io <mbernard128...> Subject: Re: [labird] MERLIN audio -- warning!
Well said. Merlin has really enhanced my birding by ear, especially when I am out west or anywhere else I don’t spend much time. But it shouldn’t be the sole criterion for a bird record. Great tool when used the right way.
> On Apr 16, 2026, at 5:29 PM, Van Remsen via groups.io <vnremsen...> wrote:
>
> Before I get accused of "hating Merlin", I should follow-up by making it
> clear that I think Merlin is great for learning bird songs and detecting
> species one might not have noticed. It's an amazing tool. What I "hate"
> is when Merlin output is uncritically considered the same as eBird input.
> "Trust but Verify" as the saying goes.
>
> Van Remsen
>
>> On Thu, Apr 16, 2026 at 12:14 PM Van Remsen via groups.io <vnremsen=
>> <gmail.com...> wrote:
>>
>> LABIRD: Most people in this venue have heard multiple times that MERLIN
>> frequently makes mistakes and should never be relied on as the sole
>> evidence for an eBird entry. Merlin's own directions emphasize this. Yet
>> many eBirder seem unaware of this and treat Merlin hits as sufficient
>> evidence for presence.
>>
>> Yesterday provided a poignant example. A single Summer Tanager singing
>> was identified as 3 separate species: Am. Robin, Rose-breasted Grosbeak,
>> and Summer Tanager. Yes, the same individual bird. Yeah, the songs are
>> kind of similar but not THAT similar.
>>
>> As I have mentioned previously, I did 30 trials of 30 minutes at my place
>> in St. Gabriel and NOT ONE was without 1 to 5 obvious or highly suspicious
>> false positives. Since then, I've done dozens of unofficial trials with
>> the same outcome. You would think just by chance I'd have a "clean" trial
>> every so often. The most frequent local false positives are Red-eyed
>> Vireo, House Sparrow, E. Towhee, Baltimore Oriole, Y-b Chat, Am. Robin, and
>> Rock Pigeon. On the other hand, Merlin often misses Fish Crow, Y-b Cuckoo,
>> Mourning Dove, Barred Owl, and Screech Owl if they are more than couple
>> hundred yards away, and misses Brown Thrasher "Chack" calls even at close
>> range.
>>
>> Van Remsen
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 4/16/26 3:29 pm From: Van Remsen via groups.io <vnremsen...> Subject: Re: [labird] MERLIN audio -- warning!
Before I get accused of "hating Merlin", I should follow-up by making it
clear that I think Merlin is great for learning bird songs and detecting
species one might not have noticed. It's an amazing tool. What I "hate"
is when Merlin output is uncritically considered the same as eBird input.
"Trust but Verify" as the saying goes.
Van Remsen
On Thu, Apr 16, 2026 at 12:14 PM Van Remsen via groups.io <vnremsen=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> LABIRD: Most people in this venue have heard multiple times that MERLIN
> frequently makes mistakes and should never be relied on as the sole
> evidence for an eBird entry. Merlin's own directions emphasize this. Yet
> many eBirder seem unaware of this and treat Merlin hits as sufficient
> evidence for presence.
>
> Yesterday provided a poignant example. A single Summer Tanager singing
> was identified as 3 separate species: Am. Robin, Rose-breasted Grosbeak,
> and Summer Tanager. Yes, the same individual bird. Yeah, the songs are
> kind of similar but not THAT similar.
>
> As I have mentioned previously, I did 30 trials of 30 minutes at my place
> in St. Gabriel and NOT ONE was without 1 to 5 obvious or highly suspicious
> false positives. Since then, I've done dozens of unofficial trials with
> the same outcome. You would think just by chance I'd have a "clean" trial
> every so often. The most frequent local false positives are Red-eyed
> Vireo, House Sparrow, E. Towhee, Baltimore Oriole, Y-b Chat, Am. Robin, and
> Rock Pigeon. On the other hand, Merlin often misses Fish Crow, Y-b Cuckoo,
> Mourning Dove, Barred Owl, and Screech Owl if they are more than couple
> hundred yards away, and misses Brown Thrasher "Chack" calls even at close
> range.
>
> Van Remsen
>
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 4/16/26 10:14 am From: Van Remsen via groups.io <vnremsen...> Subject: [labird] MERLIN audio -- warning!
LABIRD: Most people in this venue have heard multiple times that MERLIN frequently makes mistakes and should never be relied on as the sole evidence for an eBird entry. Merlin's own directions emphasize this. Yet many eBirder seem unaware of this and treat Merlin hits as sufficient evidence for presence.
Yesterday provided a poignant example. A single Summer Tanager singing was identified as 3 separate species: Am. Robin, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and Summer Tanager. Yes, the same individual bird. Yeah, the songs are kind of similar but not THAT similar.
As I have mentioned previously, I did 30 trials of 30 minutes at my place in St. Gabriel and NOT ONE was without 1 to 5 obvious or highly suspicious false positives. Since then, I've done dozens of unofficial trials with the same outcome. You would think just by chance I'd have a "clean" trial every so often. The most frequent local false positives are Red-eyed Vireo, House Sparrow, E. Towhee, Baltimore Oriole, Y-b Chat, Am. Robin, and Rock Pigeon. On the other hand, Merlin often misses Fish Crow, Y-b Cuckoo, Mourning Dove, Barred Owl, and Screech Owl if they are more than couple hundred yards away, and misses Brown Thrasher "Chack" calls even at close range.
Date: 4/14/26 4:54 am From: Kevin Colley via groups.io <Kcolley71...> Subject: [labird] Brown Booby
I spotted a Brown Booby while crossing the Lake Ponchartrain causeway (heading south) yesterday. It was at mile marker 5.5 on the west side of the bridge at 2:20 PM. It was flying very close to the bridge.
Date: 4/3/26 4:53 am From: Bill Vermillion via groups.io <bill.gcjv...> Subject: [labird] Swallow-tailed Kite
Seen yesterday 4/2/2026, near the West Atchafalaya Basin Protection levee south of the community of Portage in St. Martin Parish, soaring south, approximate coordinates 30 24 26, -91 48 49.
Date: 4/2/26 1:10 pm From: mdpethke via groups.io <mdpethke...> Subject: [labird] AE LeBlanc Old Growth Forest in Plaquemine Point
Posting this for Amber King:
Brandon Johnson and Amber King have been visiting the AE LeBlanc Old Growth Forest in Plaquemine Point to help the homeowner gather iNaturalist data on the plants and wildlife living there. The homeowner has extended an invitation to organizations that want to have a field trip there, and also to any researchers who would like to do a survey or research at the site.
I know Van Remsen has visited the site (unfortunately at a bad time of year), and one other birder visited during the winter (Brandon mentioned her name but I can't remember), so there definitely is a gap in spring bird species data.
Time is of the essence, as the forest is in the path of the new Mississippi River bridge option E-11-IV.
The home owner is available all of May, so Brandon and I wanted to offer to team up to help arrange up a field trip, but he is traveling the first half of May, and I am traveling the second half of May, so I thought I would pivot and share this invitation with you directly just in case there is interest in visiting the site in May regardless of whether Brandon and I are here or not.
A warning though… The site is not accessible to all mobility levels, as there is no trail and requires a long hike over very uneven ground to get to the old growth section. It also collects rainwater, so sometimes knee-high boots are necessary.
It is a wonderfully unique site with a tree canopy so high, you almost forget it is there. I’ve never seen such an undisturbed forest with completely uniform understory grasses and plants. It is so very interesting and I hope it is preserved.
We ran a moth sheet study out there earlier this month and found a rare moth that is only found in a handful of large cypress conservation tracts and state forests in the Southeast, so that tells me that the old growth habitat is incredibly unique.
Feel free to contact her directly. Laura is wonderfully kind and wants to have people visit the site. I would also be happy to be a liaison, if you prefer.
Date: 3/31/26 10:55 am From: Bill Vermillion via groups.io <bill.gcjv...> Subject: Re: [labird] Mystery bird
I’ve heard that term used for shorebirds by someone from SE LA, likely a corruption of “pluvier” French for plover. A holdover from LA’s French roots. Possibly describing Sanderlings in this instance
BV
> On Mar 30, 2026, at 10:55 AM, Jane Patterson via groups.io <seejanebird...> wrote:
> I know what poule d’eau and grobek are. Anyone have any guesses what a
> “peva” is? Apparently they land on rocks to mate and they turn from white
> to brown. See attached.
>
> —Jane.
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 3/30/26 7:19 pm From: Paul Conover via groups.io <zoiseaux...> Subject: [labird] the Vermilion Parish sapsucker
Labird,
Labird,
In reviewing eBird records this evening I came upon a record that
I've given a lot of thought to, the Red-naped--or more accurately until
LBRC review, red-naped--Sapsucker from Vermilion Parish this winter.
This record spawned a lot of confusion from the birders that looked for
it or saw it because of its varying appearance in the field and in
photographs.
The first batch of photos of the bird probably set the mental
image of the bird for many searchers. Some of those very nice photos
showed a vivid, fairly broad red nape patch and a similarly vivid red
throat patch overriding the enclosing black border on the side. The next
party that saw it likewise got nice looks and pics, but a study of their
pics shows that the field marks show variable looks in different light
angles and poses; in some, the nape patch looks broad and deeply tinted,
while in others the nape patch looks narrow and, well, patchy.
Some time after that I was with a party that got looks and
pictures of the bird. Looking at the photos, there was a question as to
whether this was the same red-naped bird. The nape patch was not
particularly broad or vivid in the views we got, nor in the photos.
However, a comparison of the different photo sets from different groups
showed verifiable proof that it was the same bird in all sightings.
The record I reviewed tonight was a checklist with a photo that
had been mulled over by other birders soon after the sighting and
assigned to the Yellow-bellied/Red-naped category. However, the observer
was kind enough to share the photo with me and I was able to see that it
was the same bird as in the other photo sets. The lighting was harsh and
the features not super easy to see, but it was definitely the same bird.
I marked the eBird sighting "Confirmed" pending LBRC review. Tonight I
noticed that the same record was back in the eBird review queue as it
had been pinged by a member of the eBird audience as having been
misidentified; the confusion over the record had reared its red-naped
head once again. In this case the audience member felt that the bird had
the markings of a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker instead, and mentioned the
reported presence of an adult male Yellow-bellied Sapsucker with a red
nape at this site this winter. However, I compared the photos again and
again came to the conclusion that it was same red-naped sapsucker
photographed by all other groups.
That raises the question of whether there was actually more
than one red-naped bird there. With due respect to other birders, I
haven't seen any proof that there was. I visited the site several times
and saw at least three adult male and one female Yellow-bellieds there,
all photographed or seen well and none showed any red tint to the nape.
I also saw the red-naped bird on four occasions and noted how its
appearance varied depending on light, angle, posture, and distance. I
would be forced to guess that the presumed presence of a red-naped
Yellow-bellied there resulted from sightings of the real red-naped bird
either seen poorly or simply not presenting according to the search
image expectations.
The fieldmarks really did vary in many ways. In some light, a
black throat border definitely seemed present, and a few seconds later
and at a different angle, the black border seemed magically gone,
replaced by red. I don't know if that was all lighting, or if the red
feathering was a "combover" that shifted position in different postures,
but the effect was notable. The dorsal stripes also seemed to broaden or
narrow due to posture, going from "Yellow-bellied-like" to
"Red-naped-like" in seconds. Given that these marking are what birders
look at to rule out hybrids or red-naped Yellow-bellieds, the
implications are pretty obvious.
Most interesting and highlighting the role that subjectivity
plays in the ID of this species pair was that one birder that
photographed the bird stated at that time that the supercilium was
narrow and ideal for Red-naped, but in connection to the disputed pic of
the same bird that I reviewed tonight, focused on features other than
the supercilium. That's probably pretty natural, as the width of this
white stripe is incredibly variable from bird to bird and even on the
same bird changes greatly due to posture, and molt and wear according to
season.
I've always felt that Red-naped Sapsucker is one of the most
misunderstood ID challenges out there, typically because birders have
way too narrow of an ID image of this species in which no two birds look
alike. Luckily that uniqueness was a plus this time in keeping track of
various sightings and sorting out confusion, and hopefully I won't have
to re-re-review the disputed pic! Let's leave that for the LBRC.
Date: 3/30/26 8:55 am From: Jane Patterson via groups.io <seejanebird...> Subject: [labird] Mystery bird
I know what poule d’eau and grobek are. Anyone have any guesses what a
“peva” is? Apparently they land on rocks to mate and they turn from white
to brown. See attached.
