Introducing the Observation Deck: A New Way to Discover Birds

Every time you open Merlin, you’re likely witnessing natural phenomena: A Blackpoll Warbler stopping to rest on it 1,800 mile journey across the ocean, a pair of duetting Great Horned Owls calling to one another, the low drum of Ruffed Grouse beating its wings to display during breeding season.

Today, we’re launching the Observation Deck, a brand-new feature on the Merlin home screen designed to highlight these natural phenomena occurring in the bird world, every single day.

The Observation Deck is a swipeable collection of bird content at the top of your Merlin home screen. Each time you open the app, it surfaces something new: a stunning photo of a bird currently being seen in your area, a short video packed with a surprising bird fact, or a seasonal highlight timed to what’s happening in nature right now. Think of it as a daily window into whats happening in your environment at this very moment. Before you head outside with Merlin, glance at the Observation Deck to get familiar with species passing through, discover birds with fascinating conservation stories, and see what others are spotting in your area.

Bird of the Day has a permanent home in the Observation Deck. Each day brings a new featured species to kick things off.

Beyond that, the Deck showcases content tailored to where you are and when you’re birding. Images of birds recently reported in your local area are highlighted. These photos are pulled from recent sightings, so what you see reflects the birds that are around you.

Alongside the photos, you’ll find short, richly illustrated facts and videos about bird behavior, ecology, and the stories behind the species around you. Some facts are relevant year-round, while others are seasonal, timed to migration, breeding season, or other moments in the birds’ calendar. There are also featured highlights that are tied to a specific date or event that all Merlin users see together.

Every piece of content in the Observation Deck is a gateway. Tap anything you find interesting and go deeper: open the full Species Account to hear calls, explore the range map, or learn more about identification. The Deck is built to spark curiosity and enrich your learning experiences and understanding of what you’re seeing in the field.

The Observation Deck launches as the foundation for something bigger. We’re already planning to expand the content library and find new ways to connect what you discover in the Deck with the rest of your Merlin experience.

For now, open Merlin and swipe through. You might learn something new, or be better equipped for your next birding adventure.