Hi Russell,
Thanks for the info: unfortunately I can’t get interstate for this, but would really love to attend one if held in Sydney.
I can endorse your comments on the Merlin app. I’m pretty hopeless with id via calls and was in Ireland recently when a non-birding friend asked if I used Merlin to help with ID. I said I had tried it but found it pretty useless (in Australia). She persuaded me to have a go and I was blown away. It was absolutely brilliant in picking up even distant calls and identifying them accurately. Absolutely amazing.
I would love to see the Aus version be populated to the point where it becomes useful and would be happy to contribute if possible.
Please bring any more of these workshops to everyone’s attention if you become aware.
Paul
From: Birding-Aus <> On Behalf Of Russell Woodford
Sent: Tuesday, 5 August 2025 11:46 PM
To:
Subject: [Birding-Aus] Sound recording workshops
Last December I attended a sound recording workshop in Brisbane. Run over 2 and a half days, it took us through the basics of how to record bird song, prepare and upload audio for eBird checklists, and gave us plenty of time in the field. We had several staff from Cornell University, all of them eBird icons, plus a couple of notable Aussie birders to guide us. These workshops changed the way I think about birding! I’ve learned a lot of new skills and when I’m birding I’m listening more - and recording where I can.
We need many more recordings of Australian species, even for many common birds. One objective is to get enough recordings to populate Merlin sound ID app so it works fully in Australia - it is a stunningly good tool when birding in Europe and North America. But in Australia it’s limited by the small number of species included in the app. If we get more birders recording more birds, this will change!
If you’re interested in attending a workshop, they’re running again, this time in Perth and Adelaide. Details below.
Try to get to a workshop if you’re in Perth or Adelaide. It will enhance your birding, and you’ll be making a real contribution to our knowledge of Australian birds, as well as helping to improve the Merlin app!
