My kids are the drivers for getting more on the list. When we are in the city or at the beach, my kids are reaching for the phone to see what kind of pigeons or seagulls are nearby.Īs of now, my Life List on Merlin is 45 birds. We learned from watching the National Geographic series “Extraordinary Birder with Christian Cooper,” which also airs on Disney Plus, that there is no such thing as a singular pigeon or seagull. Maybe they didn’t mean to, but I see it.Īnytime they hear an unfamiliar bird call, they scramble for my phone to find out what it is. My two kids - in particular my tween son - love to make fun of my nerdy interests, but they’ve learned some things about birds from Merlin. Explore sights and sounds of animals from around the world. We believe in the power of birds to ignite discovery and inspire action. If it takes technology to peel kids away from the screen and interested in the outdoors, so be it. Visitor Center Is closed for renovations until Spring 2024 Trails are still open dawn to dusk Plan Your Visit Dive Into Bird ID and Info All About Birds Exp. “So Merlin is our way of making learning about birds available and accessible to everybody.” HAVING THE KIDS JOIN IN - SOMEWHAT “We know that people protect what they care about, and you really only care about what you know,” said Smith. Some bird-watchers upload their sightings into eBird, a scientific database that tracks avian populations, which have declined sharply overall in past decades. “You’re looking at birds but you can’t help but see everything else too,” he said. “You can see the seasons,” said John Smallwood, a biology professor with an expertise in ornithology at Montclair State University. Gentle bird songs, whispers of water, bright greenery on river banks - all of this i. Healthy environments too, of course, attract more birds. Hear the relaxing sounds of nature and enjoy the absence of urban noise. Listening and watching birds has made me more aware of the times of day, and times of year, when certain birds become more active. “There are so many little wonders around and it’s fun to share that with people.” LEARNING ABOUT THE LARGER OUTDOORSīefore Merlin, I’d always assumed the distinct “coo” I heard was from a mourning dove. “Birding is a surprisingly social hobby and people are so excited about what they are seeing,” she said.
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