I use Merlin as a tool to use to alert me to possible birds in the vicinity, to verify what I am hearing or as a small compact field guide. My hearing is not as good as a lot of birders in my area. So, it is helpful at times. I won’t use what I see on Merlin unless I see or hear the bird myself. When I started birding back in around 2014 I listened to CDs of bird songs/calls and learned from other more experienced birders. And, I still review calls/songs on the CDs or online to get familiar with them in the spring.