I started using the Merlin app to identify birds. It's pretty fun. I made a spreadsheet, since the app apparently can't just make a list of everything you've heard automatically. But I added an important category.

I'm glad to see Merlin working so well for you! I was only able to confirm my suspicions that I was looking at a bunch of catbirds when it kept IDing starlings even though I was looking at the noisemaker in question—decidedly not a starling.

The Blue Jays are SUPER annoying. There is a whole flock of them near me, and they recently got into a big fight with a Hawk! That was some racket.The Blue Jays are SUPER annoying. There is a whole flock of them near me, and they recently got into a big fight with a Hawk! That was some racket.

Just heard a grackle.