Date: 1/20/26 1:28 pm From: D. George Prisbe-Przybysz via groups.io <prisbe.przybysz...> Subject: [sd-birds] Merlin & BOWA
This morning at Pelican Lake near Watertown, I observed a mixed flock of ~ 220 cedar waxwings, ~ 60 european starlings, and ~ 20 american robins. When I first came upon them I was hiking in relatively thick woodland and clear views were difficult. So, I opened my Merlin app as an aid in identification, and it claimed to be detecting Bohemian Waxwing - along with the three species I was seeing and hearing. Because of this (and the fact that BOWA would be new to my county list) I followed this mixed flock around the park, getting good views, in good light, on several occasions, as they moved from one deciduous tree top to another. Despite my experience with BOWA in the Black Hills, where they were routine spring migrants, I was not able to hallucinate any bohemians.
I suspect that the vocal talents of the starlings, mixed with the cedar waxwing call, fooled Merlin into suggesting BOWA. So, I am curious if any other birders have had experience with the Merlin app and bohemian waxwings?
Also present were a half dozen or so purple finch, a couple of chickadees and one northern flicker.
George Prisbe Wasserstadt
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"poetry is the shadow cast by our streetlight imaginations." - lawrence ferlinghetti, american poet
"People who believe in absurdities will eventually commit atrocities." - Voltaire
"the world knows many religions, but Nature has but one truth" - manly p hall
