Question

which action is the best example of a direct observation?
identifying which bird was present by the tracks that it leaves in the sand at a beach
reading numbers on a heat sensor to conclude that there is a deer in the night woods
listening to a cricket chirp at night and counting the number of chirps per minute
determining the seal population of an island by counting seals in 10 square meters of the island

Explanation:

Direct observation involves using the senses to gather information without intermediate inferences. Listening to a cricket and counting chirps per minute is a direct use of the sense of hearing. The other options involve inferences (bird tracks, heat - sensor readings, population extrapolation).

Answer:

listening to a cricket chirp at night and counting the number of chirps per minute