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
>
>>
