Spring of Migratory Birds App: A Citizen Science Success Story

The Spring of Migratory Birds application, developed at the University of Jyväskylä, has seen significant progress in monitoring bird migration. With approximately 200,000 downloads and 48,000 observations made in one day over the Easter weekend, the application has proven to be a valuable tool for bird enthusiasts. The app now recognizes 263 bird species, making it a comprehensive resource for birdwatchers in Finland.

The Spring of Migratory Birds application is part of the University of Jyväskylä’s citizen science center, supported by the Jane and Aatos Erko Foundation. The app’s functionality has been expanded to include improved species recognition, user-friendly features, and the integration of the point calculation network used by Luomus for bird monitoring. This network allows users to participate in standardized bird counting efforts, contributing to valuable research on bird populations.

The Spring of Migratory Birds application supports scientific research by providing data that can be combined with traditional monitoring methods. As part of ongoing calibration efforts, data collected through the app will be compared to data collected by experts over the past 40 years. This integration of technology and traditional monitoring methods promises to enhance our understanding of bird migration patterns and populations.

Thanks to support from the Jane and Aatos Erko Foundation, the University of Jyväskylä continues to develop the Spring of Migratory Birds application. By engaging citizens in bird monitoring and research, the application is not only a valuable tool for enthusiasts but also a significant contribution to scientific knowledge about bird populations.