Everyone Is a Birder! Updates to North Carolina Birding Trail Website

— Written By Courtney Hotchkiss and last updated by
en Español / em Português
Español

El inglés es el idioma de control de esta página. En la medida en que haya algún conflicto entre la traducción al inglés y la traducción, el inglés prevalece.

Al hacer clic en el enlace de traducción se activa un servicio de traducción gratuito para convertir la página al español. Al igual que con cualquier traducción por Internet, la conversión no es sensible al contexto y puede que no traduzca el texto en su significado original. NC State Extension no garantiza la exactitud del texto traducido. Por favor, tenga en cuenta que algunas aplicaciones y/o servicios pueden no funcionar como se espera cuando se traducen.


Português

Inglês é o idioma de controle desta página. Na medida que haja algum conflito entre o texto original em Inglês e a tradução, o Inglês prevalece.

Ao clicar no link de tradução, um serviço gratuito de tradução será ativado para converter a página para o Português. Como em qualquer tradução pela internet, a conversão não é sensivel ao contexto e pode não ocorrer a tradução para o significado orginal. O serviço de Extensão da Carolina do Norte (NC State Extension) não garante a exatidão do texto traduzido. Por favor, observe que algumas funções ou serviços podem não funcionar como esperado após a tradução.


English

English is the controlling language of this page. To the extent there is any conflict between the English text and the translation, English controls.

Clicking on the translation link activates a free translation service to convert the page to Spanish. As with any Internet translation, the conversion is not context-sensitive and may not translate the text to its original meaning. NC State Extension does not guarantee the accuracy of the translated text. Please note that some applications and/or services may not function as expected when translated.

Collapse ▲

The North Carolina Birding Trail (NCBT) has recently launched an updated website with new maps features, a mobile-friendly format, birding tips, blog posts, and a link to eBird data collection; all designed to be enjoyed by novices, amateur birders, and full-time ornithologists alike.

Birding trail website logo

Updated logo for the North Carolina Birding Trail website (NC Birding Trail).

The maps are now easier to use and include locations for bird watching with a search feature or by entering your location. The website also includes information about site restrictions due to the pandemic. 

Remember, you do not have to go far or purchase any equipment to see some beautiful winged creatures. To begin, just listen. 

“We recommend you find a comfy seat outside and start by listening,” suggests Paula Mandarino, a staff member of the NCBT. “What do you hear? Birds are indeed the most accessible wildlife to us. They are nearly always visible or audible.” Early mornings are usually when birds are most active; like humans, they wake up hungry for breakfast after a long night of resting. 

Suggested apps:

  • Merlin Bird ID: great for clicking basic bird features to try and ID what you saw, as well as listen to its calls and songs. You can also search directly if you already know the name
  • BirdNet (for Android users): to help identify birds by listening to their sounds 

Citizen Science projects:

  • eBird: for logging all bird observations. His is a large (now worldwide) project started by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Audubon
  • NestWatch: for logging and recording nesting birds in your yard

Some other highlights of the updated website include:

Bluebird

Photo of an Eastern Bluebird by Paula Mandarino, courtesy of NC Birding Trail

The NCBT is a partnership between six founding organizations: the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, Audubon North Carolina, North Carolina Sea Grant, US Fish & Wildlife Service, NC State University Cooperative Extension, and the NC Parks and Recreation.