Date: 3/17/25 11:57 am From: Paul Mckay <paulmck57...> Subject: Re: Merlin hears BCCH?
Hi Cynthia,
I have found Merlin surprisingly accurate. But Chickadee issues appear more
than even an expert like you can overcome. Merlin self corrects so my rule
of thumb is an unusual bird heard once by Merlin is suspect but if repeated
several times is almost always correct. It is really a great tool.
Good seeing you recently.
Paul
On Mon, Mar 17, 2025, 12:43 PM Derek Courtney <derek.dana.courtney...>
wrote:
> Cynthia,
>
> The hybrid range in WV for chickadees in WV is large enough that most birds
> should probably be identified based on visual field marks and not audio
> clues. While that is probably too much for every-day casual birding, at the
> very least out of range chickadees should be identified based on an
> analysis of field marks.
>
> Merlin is quite bad at differentiating the species, at least in WV. While
> some of this is undoubtedly due to the hybridization issue, it confidently
> identifies CACH in Canaan Valley for me all the time where CACH don't
> really venture. It also kicks up BCCH in my back yard where "my" chickadees
> show no visible BCCH signs.
>
> People seem to perform similarly, again likely because of the extent of
> hybridization and similarity of vocalizations.
>
> For eBird purposes, where data quality is the priority, such records that
> are not substantiated do not get confirmed. You can submit whatever you
> like though for your own personal records.
>
> As for the White-crowned Sparrow, if you have recordings that substantiate
> that ID, that would be confirmed in that case. It's up to you whether you
> submit sightings that are Merlin heard only for your checklist.
>
> Merlin should be used as a guide as to what may be there, and attempts to
> confirm for yourself should be made of possible. Merlin only sightings with
> no audio uploaded and no other description or evidence tend to get
> unconfirmed by eBird Reviewers.
>
> Good birding,
> Derek
>
> Sent from My Xfinity Mobile Device
>
> On Mon, Mar 17, 2025, 11:55 AM cynthia burkhart <
> <000000990b36e23b-dmarc-request...> wrote:
>
> > Every March, Merlin says it hears a black- capped chickadee at my yard in
> > Ritchie county. This year it also heard a white-crowned sparrow. Both
> are
> > indicated by Merlin as rare/ uncommon. I cannot hear bird songs anymore,
> > but 10 years ago I regularly heard the black- capped chickadee song.
> > However, when I reported it on ebird, it was discounted by a reviewer
> > unless I had a photo. It was suggested that I could be hearing a CACH
> that
> > had learned the BCCH song…but wouldn’t that mean that the 2 were in the
> > same area for one to learn the other’s song?
> > Anyway, I’m wondering if I should believe Merlin and report the BCCH and
> > WCSP?
> > Or could I send the Merlin recordings to a reviewer?
> > All opinions are welcome!
> > Cynthia Burkhart
> > Ritchie county, WV
> > Sent from my iPad
>
