Birds, birdsong, Merlin

A friend recently introduced me to the existence of the Merlin bird app (see: https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/). This can be downloaded to a smart phone and used free to identify birds from their song.  In my short experience, using it has been a delight. Sitting in the garden with the app switched on quickly identifies the bird sounds it picks up. In a couple of brief sessions, I have heard at least a dozen species (eg wren, robin, dunnock, black-cap, blackbird, great tit, collar dove, wood pigeon, magpie, carrion crow, parakeet etc etc). I have not yet explored all the app's features but I see that it is possible also to upload a photograph for identification.

I did, mischievously, send this picture of a ceramic sculpture. After some hesitation, the app identified it as a tawny owl. Quite a compliment to the artist who made it!