Useful References, Apps and Tools

Seek by iNaturalist – Identification is done by your photograph. This is available from either the Apple Store or Google Play.  It does a good job but sometimes it cannot identify accurately. It is a big help for me with most all common plants and fungi, insects. I have not used it for animals and birds yet.
https://www.inaturalist.org/pages/seek_app

iNaturalist – This is organization that provide a smart phone application called iNaturalist.  The app is available from the Apple Store or Google Play Store. Record your observations  Share with fellow naturalists  Discuss your findings. This is similar to the Westmoreland Bird and Nature Club facebook site but comes with app.
https://www.inaturalist.org/

Hummingbird. Photo by WBNC volunteer, Sue Miller

The birding apps are from Cornell University and are available from the Apple Store and Google Play Store. The PC and MAC applications are available for download from the Cornell  University Ornithology Department website.
https://www.birds.cornell.edu/home

Merlin - Bird ID, Sound ID, Explore birds in your area. Need to download a bird pack for the area where you live or where you are going to visit. You can have multiple packs loaded. Caution: the Sound ID is not always correct but gets you in the right direction.
https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/?utm_source=adgrant&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=merlin&utm_content=birdidapp&gclid=CjwKCAjwuYWSBhByEiwAKd_n_hlo-9FqN782WzROq2V3EChX66DDjthZdjBSHke8AmeyHgGRXZXpoxoCLPwQAvD_BwE

eBird - Record your sightings. Also, you find where and when a particular bird has been seen in your county or across the country. On the PC application, you can explore a species to see migration via video maps. Really neat.  Install ebird on your smartphone for field use and on your PC or tablet for home use
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ebird/id988799279

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=edu.cornell.birds.ebird&hl=en_US&gl=US

All about Birds - Bird book on your phone. Covers most of the world... identification, sound recordings , nesting, feeding habits. maps..
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/

Audubon Bird Guide App
https://www.audubon.org/app#:~:text=The%20Audubon%20Bird%20Guide%20is,find%20new%20birds%20near%20you

Binoculars  - I use both 10 power with an objective lens diameter 42mm (10x42) binoculars and my wife has an 8 power by 42 (8x42) binoculars. For handheld binoculars these are great. You can spend a little $50 to $3000. The higher price binoculars provide better color and light definition.  What you use is really a personal choice. Having a reasonable binoculars is a must to really enjoy nature.

Binocular harness – You can buy a harness at most outdoor stores like Dicks sporting goods or Hunting stores. The harness takes the weight of the binoculars off your neck and onto your shoulders. Cost is ~$10.

Where to buy… suggestions, there are other reliable vendors.

Wildbirds Unlimited – less expensive but quality binoculars. They are located around the area.
https://www.wbu.com/

B&H Photo – This is online only. They have consultants that can help you select your product. They deliver in 1 or 2 days and have a good return policy. I buy my camera and some optics from them.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/

Time and Optics – Time & Optics, Ltd is a family run business that has been around since 1976. They offer a huge selection. In addition to just selling them, we can also fix and repair them. When it comes to sporting optics – binoculars, telescopes, and accessories for birders, we pride ourselves not only on excellent customer service but being active and devoted birders ourselves. They are located at  6954 CR 77, Millersburg, OH 44654. They are about 2 hrs from Pittsburgh. You can drive over and try. I bought my wife’s binoculars from them.
https://shoptimeandoptics.com/

Most of us have our personal library of nature books to help us identify and understand the species that we are observing. The choices are sometime personal e.g. has a better map or the pictures are more descriptive with field markings or….. below are some that I can recommend. There are many more.

David Sibley bird guides
https://www.sibleyguides.com/product-category/books/

https://www.sibleyguides.com/product/sibley-field-guide-birds-eastern-north-america-second-edition/

Kenn Kaufman bird guides
http://www.kaufmanfieldguides.com/birds.html

Audubon Field Guides – Birds, Trees
https://www.audubon.org/national-audubon-society-field-guides

Peterson Field Guides have books for identifying insect, plants, trees, fungi….. as well as birds.
https://peterson-field-guides.harpercollins.com/home

Newcomb’s plant guides are top notch and available on-line or through local bookstores.
Newcomb's Wildflower Guide by Newcomb, Lawrence