One of the ways that smartphones and the Internet can actually enhance our appreciation of the natural world is through what are frequently called “Nature Apps”. This page lists some of the ones we recommend.
Merlin Bird ID – SmartPhone
A free global bird guide with photos, sounds, and maps. The Sound ID feature is the most poptular – just turn your phone on and listen. Merlin will identify the birds it’s hearing. Another popular feature is the Bird ID Wizard – a Step-by-step series of questions that helps you identify a bird you’ve seen recently. You can learn more about the app before downloading it at https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/
Merlin is supported by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
eBird – SmartPhone and online
eBird’s goal is to gather the unique knowledge and experience from birdwatchers in the form of checklists of birds and share this information in support of science, conservation and education.
- Find more birds
- Keep track of your bird lists, photos, and sounds
- Explore latest sightings from around the world
- Join the world’s largest birding community
- Contribute to science and conservation
For more information about ebird plus how to download to your SmartPhone – https://ebird.org/home
SCNP is a hotspot on eBird under the preserve’s old name – Southwest Nature Preserve. You can find lists of the birds seen at SCNP by going to eBird.org and searching or use this link https://ebird.org/hotspot/L378641
ROCKD – SmartPhone
Curious what you’re standing on? ROCKD can tell you. The App also allows you to record your geological observations. Learn more about it at https://rockd.org/
ROCKD is funded by the US. National Science Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Department of Geoscience
BugGuide – Online
Their slogan is “All Abuzz about Bugs!” BugGuide is a community of naturalists who enjoy learning about and sharing observations of insects, spider, and other related creatures. Great photos and in depth information for the United States and Canada. https://bugguide.net
BugGuide is supported through the Iowa State University Foundation.
Monarch Watch – SmartPhone and online
All things monarchs – tagging, setting up waystations, following migration, instructions on growing milkweed, it’s all here. For the browser version and more information about the App, https://www.monarchwatch.org/
Monarch Watch is supported by the University of Kansas.
BirdCast – online
Birdcast uses several migration tools to forecast and observe the nightly migration of birds. The website is active during the spring and fall migrations. Other times it has plenty of data to look through. https://birdcast.info/
Core partners are The Cornell Lab, Colorado State University, and University of Massachusetts Amherst.
