Natasha Walter’s journey into birdwatching began with a simple curiosity and evolved with the use of the Merlin Bird ID app, developed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. This revolutionary AI-driven app, now downloaded over 33 million times globally, uses machine learning to identify bird songs, enhancing the experience for both novice and experienced birders. Walter, along with many users, found joy in recognizing previously misunderstood species, such as mistle thrushes mistaken for blackbirds. The app’s sound identification, launched in 2021, has seen a 30% monthly increase in users, especially in the UK, where it has garnered over 1.5 million users in 2024. While Merlin enriches knowledge and encourages outdoor engagement, some experts caution against reliance solely on technology for learning. Overall, the app is praised for its mental health benefits, connecting users with nature and enhancing appreciation for the avian world, making birdwatching accessible to all.
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