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Conjuay

(1,502 posts)
Tue Feb 27, 2024, 10:30 PM Feb 2024

I never wanted to turn on the GPS feature on my phone,

but two weeks ago Merlin informed me that I had recorded a Common Tailorbird. (I don’t think they are that common in Central Florida)
Tonight I was told I recorded a Tody Motmot. If we had some severe storm come through, well, then I might have believed it.
So I’ll turn on GPS and see if that helps me record local birds.

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I never wanted to turn on the GPS feature on my phone, (Original Post) Conjuay Feb 2024 OP
I had an Elegant Trogon in SW PA this winter. Probatim Feb 2024 #1
Hey, thanks, Conjuay Mar 2024 #2

Probatim

(2,600 posts)
1. I had an Elegant Trogon in SW PA this winter.
Tue Feb 27, 2024, 10:39 PM
Feb 2024

I'm 100% certain it wasn't a Trogon and 99% sure it was a backyard chicken picked up by Merlin.

Tonight, while running, I was standing under a Screech Owl who was trilling but Merlin couldn't pick it up - too much background noise from the stream next to the bike trail.

GPS might help. Using the right bird pack will help too - I think it helps narrow their algorithm. If you're really interested in using it, pick up a Rode directional microphone for it. I bought one two years ago and it does a very nice job of picking up bird sounds.

https://rode.com/en/microphones/mobile/videomic-me-l

Getting the appropriate cable for your phone helps too.

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