Best Birdwatching Apps

British Birds
Birding Apps

If you're an avid birdwatcher or just getting started, birdwatching apps can enhance your experience by helping you identify species, track sightings, and learn more about birds. Here’s a list of the best birdwatching apps that can assist you in becoming a better birdwatcher and enjoying the hobby more fully:

1. Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Overview:
Merlin Bird ID is one of the most popular bird identification apps. Developed by Cornell Lab, it offers an easy-to-use interface that helps identify birds based on a series of questions. You can input your bird’s size, color, location, and date, and Merlin will suggest possible matches. The app’s large database also includes songs and calls.

Features:

  • Offers ID based on a series of questions.
  • Contains a database of over 7,500 bird species.
  • Includes audio and visual bird ID guides.
  • Provides “Bird Packs” for different regions.

Why it's great:
Merlin is incredibly user-friendly and perfect for beginners. The detailed bird guides and region-specific packs make it easy to find and identify birds wherever you are.

2. BirdTrack by British Trust for Ornithology 

Overview:
BirdTrack is a powerful birdwatching app designed to help you track and record bird sightings, contributing to important citizen science efforts. Developed by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), BirdTrack allows birdwatchers to log their sightings and contribute to an ongoing effort to monitor bird populations and migrations. It’s particularly useful for birdwatchers in the UK, offering a streamlined way to contribute valuable data for research while keeping track of personal birding experiences.

Features:

  • Track Sightings: Record your bird sightings and contribute to long-term bird population and migration studies.
  • Regional Focus: Designed for UK birdwatchers, with the ability to log sightings by location and date.
  • Detailed Bird Data: Access information about bird species, including behavior, abundance, and conservation status.
  • Birding Statistics: View your sightings in graphical formats and see your progress over time with interactive charts.
  • Citizen Science Contribution: Participate in tracking bird migration patterns and population changes, contributing valuable data to bird research.

Why it's great:
BirdTrack is an excellent app for birdwatchers who want to play a role in bird conservation and monitoring. The ability to log sightings and contribute to scientific studies makes it perfect for those who are passionate about citizen science. Additionally, the app’s user-friendly design and detailed data help both beginner and experienced birdwatchers track their birding journeys effectively.

3. BirdGuides

Overview:
Designed for bird enthusiasts of all levels, BirdGuides offers a comprehensive range of features that help you stay connected, track sightings, and keep informed about the latest birding news. With a focus on the UK’s bird species, it is an indispensable tool for anyone looking to deepen their knowledge and enjoy birdwatching to the fullest.

Features:

  • Bird Alerts: Receive notifications about rare and notable bird sightings in your area, keeping you updated on the best birdwatching opportunities.
  • Sightings Map: View an interactive map showing bird sightings across the UK, allowing you to discover birds and their status in various locations around the UK.
  • Searchable: Discover new locations and birds prior to visiting, using their integrated searchable features on the app.

Why it's great:
Ahead of its game when it comes to rarity apps. Birdguides utilises exciting software on devices and other apps to make your experience to see birds a lot easier. Its user-friendly interface and wealth of resources make it a must-have for anyone passionate about birds. Filled with a never-ending supply of bird news, the app never seems to stop. 

4. eBird

Overview:
eBird, another offering from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, is less about identification and more about tracking. It's a great app for those who like to record their sightings and share them with a community of birdwatchers. eBird also allows you to see what species are being spotted nearby and across the world.

Features:

  • Allows you to record sightings and share checklists.
  • View and contribute to global bird sightings.
  • Species maps and trends.
  • Detailed stats and reporting tools.

Why it's great:
eBird is fantastic for serious birdwatchers who want to contribute to citizen science and see how their sightings compare to others. The global network of birdwatchers makes it a great tool for tracking migrations and other bird behaviour patterns.

5. Rare Bird Alert 

Overview:
Rare Bird Alert is an app designed for birdwatchers who are passionate about spotting rare and unusual bird species. Focusing mainly on the UK, the app provides alerts about sightings of rare birds, helping birdwatchers plan their trips and track the latest birding news. Aimed at the more experienced birder, Rare Bird Alert keeps you informed about exceptional bird sightings near you, ensuring you never miss an exciting opportunity to spot something rare.

Features:

  • Bird Alerts: Receive notifications about rare bird sightings near your location.
  • Sightings Map: View the location of rare bird sightings on an interactive map, helping you plan your birdwatching trips.
  • Sightings List: Access a log of recent rare bird sightings, keeping you updated on where and when birds have been spotted.

Why it's great:
Rare Bird Alert is good for avid birdwatchers who want to stay up-to-date with the latest rare bird sightings in their area or across the UK. Its real-time alerts and sightings map make it incredibly easy to plan trips around rare bird events, ensuring you don't miss out on any exciting birdwatching opportunities. 

6. Collins Bird Guide

Overview:
The Collins Bird Guide App is the digital version of the highly respected Collins Bird Guide, making it an invaluable resource for birdwatchers, especially in Europe. With its user-friendly interface and comprehensive content, the app offers detailed species profiles, stunning photographs, and helpful illustrations to assist with bird identification. Perfect for both beginners and seasoned birders, it allows you to explore and learn about over 700 bird species found across Europe.

Features:

  • Extensive Species Database: Covers more than 700 species found in Europe with detailed descriptions, range maps, and stunning photos.
  • High-Quality Illustrations: Features expert illustrations for accurate bird identification alongside photographs.
  • Bird Sounds: Provides audio recordings of bird calls and songs, helping with auditory identification.
  • Personal Birding Journal: Track your sightings and build your personal birdwatching list directly in the app.
  • Search and Filter Tools: Easily identify birds by filtering by size, colour, location, or behaviour.

Why it's great:
The Collins Bird Guide App is highly regarded for its accurate, in-depth information and its excellent balance of visuals and audio for bird identification. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced birder, the app’s combination of detailed species profiles and practical features, like the birding journal and advanced search tools, makes it an essential companion for birdwatching in Europe.

Conclusion

Birdwatching apps are an excellent way to enhance your birding experience, whether you are just starting or have been birdwatching for years. Each app has its strengths, so the right one for you depends on your specific needs—whether you're looking for an identification tool, a way to track sightings, or locating rarities.

The main thing with these apps, is to use them to enhance your birding experience - not to take away from it. 

Happy birding! 🌿🐦