If you see me wandering around staring at my phone, please don’t assume that I’ve suddenly become addicted to social media. I haven’t, nor have I acquired an all-consuming interest in watching politicians stab each other in the back while pronouncing on what a great person their victim was and what a great job he or she did, despite all evidence to the contrary. Et tu Brute? Indeed.
No, it’s not that, nor have I taken to harassing family members for every little detail of their daily lives or indeed informing them of mine. No, it’s a new app I downloaded just recently that has increased my screen time by goodness knows how much. I am totally addicted and I’m afraid I may need some help.
Merlin is the culprit. You may have heard of it, or others with the same function. It allows you to identify the birds around you as you walk. So today, between Gibbet Marsh and a few hundred yards down the still very uneven 1066 path, it picked out 14 different birds, some of which I never would have predicted. Who has heard of a Greater Whitethroat? I certainly hadn’t, but Merlin provides me with a photo, some background information and a recording of its song which I confess I only occasionally use.
The problem is that I am in danger of becoming a bit boring – or even more so, some might argue. This is the scenario that tends to occur:
Me: (excited) I heard a Eurasian Linnet while I was out today.
Husband: (looks up briefly) Hmm, really?
Me: Yes, and a Water Rail. Can you believe it?
Husband: (eyes glazed over) Yes, I mean no, I mean …
You get the picture. Birds are probably more generally interesting than trains, but the comparison has to be made. Every time I walk in the nature reserve I nearly bump into similarly absorbed, often similar aged walkers staring at their screens and comparing notes.
“Have you heard the Cetti’s Warbler yet?”
“How many have you got? I got 14 just round the lake!”
So, I probably do need to manage my excitement, but I am really grateful to the person who recommended Merlin to me. It has given my walks a whole new dimension and opened my ears to the amazing proliferation of wildlife we are so lucky to enjoy in and around Rye. Just don’t ask me what I heard today. I might well tell you.
Image Credits: Merlin .