Jay Fitzsimmons
@jayfitz.bsky.social
Wildlife biologist 🦟 | Soccer referee, coach, and volunteer ⚽ | Dad | Slowly designing a board game about raptors 🎲 | Grower of 1 pawpaw tree 🌳 | falconry 🦅 | music 🪗 | bike infrastructure 🚲
Peterborough, ON #Ptbo
Peterborough, ON #Ptbo
One thing people underestimate about entomology (especially for fly taxonomy) is how big a role male genitalia plays in species identification. Genitalia and wing vein patterns, these are two key traits.
What a bunch of pervs. 😂🪰🔬
What a bunch of pervs. 😂🪰🔬
The collections at @nhm-london.bsky.social are full of glorious specimens esp the Flies. But they also come with lots of extra information
Roger Crosskey wrote down his feelings 50 years ago about this species complex - his frustration evident
@dipteristsforum.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
Roger Crosskey wrote down his feelings 50 years ago about this species complex - his frustration evident
@dipteristsforum.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
February 10, 2026 at 1:57 PM
One thing people underestimate about entomology (especially for fly taxonomy) is how big a role male genitalia plays in species identification. Genitalia and wing vein patterns, these are two key traits.
What a bunch of pervs. 😂🪰🔬
What a bunch of pervs. 😂🪰🔬
I love that my feed is full of posts about the newly opened Eglinton Crosstown LRT line in Toronto, not the football game.
February 9, 2026 at 3:19 AM
I love that my feed is full of posts about the newly opened Eglinton Crosstown LRT line in Toronto, not the football game.
Ontario's Premier is putting lives at risk, just for some wedge issue in polling.
February 6, 2026 at 4:02 PM
Ontario's Premier is putting lives at risk, just for some wedge issue in polling.
Enjoy board games?
But the world is on fire?
I recommend the solo board game Maquis by @sanakism.bsky.social. You are French resistance in World War 2. Your goal is to disrupt Nazi occupation and the local thugs who support it.
Feels good. Just a game, of course, but it feels good.
But the world is on fire?
I recommend the solo board game Maquis by @sanakism.bsky.social. You are French resistance in World War 2. Your goal is to disrupt Nazi occupation and the local thugs who support it.
Feels good. Just a game, of course, but it feels good.
February 6, 2026 at 3:53 PM
Enjoy board games?
But the world is on fire?
I recommend the solo board game Maquis by @sanakism.bsky.social. You are French resistance in World War 2. Your goal is to disrupt Nazi occupation and the local thugs who support it.
Feels good. Just a game, of course, but it feels good.
But the world is on fire?
I recommend the solo board game Maquis by @sanakism.bsky.social. You are French resistance in World War 2. Your goal is to disrupt Nazi occupation and the local thugs who support it.
Feels good. Just a game, of course, but it feels good.
Public transparency with an online dashboard wouldn't fix Metrolinx. Not on its own. But I like it as part of a solution. Transparency can allow accountability.
Ontario isn't getting the bang for our buck with public transit. We've spent so much to get so little.
Ontario isn't getting the bang for our buck with public transit. We've spent so much to get so little.
…I propose a public dashboard for all major infrastructure projects. Using visual and interactive tools, a public dashboard can provide residents with the ability to track progress, issues, costs and timing. It can provide more granular details about publicly-shared contracts and reports…
February 1, 2026 at 3:27 AM
Public transparency with an online dashboard wouldn't fix Metrolinx. Not on its own. But I like it as part of a solution. Transparency can allow accountability.
Ontario isn't getting the bang for our buck with public transit. We've spent so much to get so little.
Ontario isn't getting the bang for our buck with public transit. We've spent so much to get so little.
Reposted by Jay Fitzsimmons
On a train, 420% chance I'm stoned af just having the ultimate philosophy time while enjoying the view outside.
We need more trains.
We need more trains.
January 30, 2026 at 12:35 PM
On a train, 420% chance I'm stoned af just having the ultimate philosophy time while enjoying the view outside.
We need more trains.
We need more trains.
Ok I'm in.
#ElectoralReform is critical to our democracy. So I've signed up with the federal NDP to support @avilewis.ca's leadership bid.
I'm pretty jaded, but he actually gives me hope. We need big changes in Canada, starting with how elections should reflect the will of the people.
#ElectoralReform is critical to our democracy. So I've signed up with the federal NDP to support @avilewis.ca's leadership bid.
I'm pretty jaded, but he actually gives me hope. We need big changes in Canada, starting with how elections should reflect the will of the people.
January 17, 2026 at 6:56 AM
Ok I'm in.
#ElectoralReform is critical to our democracy. So I've signed up with the federal NDP to support @avilewis.ca's leadership bid.
I'm pretty jaded, but he actually gives me hope. We need big changes in Canada, starting with how elections should reflect the will of the people.
#ElectoralReform is critical to our democracy. So I've signed up with the federal NDP to support @avilewis.ca's leadership bid.
I'm pretty jaded, but he actually gives me hope. We need big changes in Canada, starting with how elections should reflect the will of the people.
Sometimes my work is boring.
And sometimes I get to issue an authorization to a researcher to use a vibrator to collect turtle semen. 🐢🍾
And sometimes I get to issue an authorization to a researcher to use a vibrator to collect turtle semen. 🐢🍾
January 15, 2026 at 8:25 PM
Sometimes my work is boring.
And sometimes I get to issue an authorization to a researcher to use a vibrator to collect turtle semen. 🐢🍾
And sometimes I get to issue an authorization to a researcher to use a vibrator to collect turtle semen. 🐢🍾
The suburbs built in Ontario's cities the 1960s - 80s are gonna hit us hard financially with their maintenance. Low-density housing brings revenue to the city short-term, but it loses big money long-term.
The scary thing is that this pipe is only from 1959 and failed prematurely, a growing trend. There are still pipes downtown from the 1870s to be replaced. We currently replace about 20km of pipe each year, but we laid down 1800km of pipe in the 50s and 60s. 5X our current replacement rate.
January 2, 2026 at 6:09 PM
The suburbs built in Ontario's cities the 1960s - 80s are gonna hit us hard financially with their maintenance. Low-density housing brings revenue to the city short-term, but it loses big money long-term.
Interesting idea.
Toronto, sometimes the cheapest solution is the best solution...let's just drop off some shovels at all the bus stops before storms and pick them up after...
December 29, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Interesting idea.
"Look for the helpers," is what Fred (Mister) Rogers said. These times are rough, but there are so many people doing good here in #Ptbo and beyond. Thanks to the Mortons and all other generous helpers.
Patricia and David Morton increase their annual donation to YWCA #Ptbo #Haliburton to $60,000. The gift brings the Morton Family Foundation's six-year total to $310,000 to support women and children in Haliburton County fleeing domestic abuse.
kawarthanow.com/2025/12/15/p...
kawarthanow.com/2025/12/15/p...
Patricia and David Morton increase their annual donation to YWCA Peterborough Haliburton to $60,000 | kawarthaNOW
By kawarthaNOW. The gift brings the Morton Family Foundation's six-year total to $310,000 to support women and children in Haliburton County fleeing domestic abuse.
kawarthanow.com
December 16, 2025 at 3:33 AM
"Look for the helpers," is what Fred (Mister) Rogers said. These times are rough, but there are so many people doing good here in #Ptbo and beyond. Thanks to the Mortons and all other generous helpers.
I just learned that Hydro One has a thing called "distribution rate protection". It caps rural residents' hydro distribution rates. So the huge increase in hydro distribution costs will be paid for, disproportionately, by urban Ontarians.
This is an example of cities subsidizing rural Ontario.
This is an example of cities subsidizing rural Ontario.
December 5, 2025 at 4:23 PM
I just learned that Hydro One has a thing called "distribution rate protection". It caps rural residents' hydro distribution rates. So the huge increase in hydro distribution costs will be paid for, disproportionately, by urban Ontarians.
This is an example of cities subsidizing rural Ontario.
This is an example of cities subsidizing rural Ontario.
This is it exactly. When my kids were younger I wasn't worried about stranger-danger. I was worried about actual danger from the trucks zipping everywhere. It's natural for kids to run around unpredictably, and that can be deadly near roads (which are everywhere).
Think much of the over-parenting we despise stems from the early on fear of the driver.
If parents weren't terrified of our streets kids would have so much more freedom and independence which might get them comfortable with their children's ability to navigate the world without them.
If parents weren't terrified of our streets kids would have so much more freedom and independence which might get them comfortable with their children's ability to navigate the world without them.
December 5, 2025 at 4:03 PM
This is it exactly. When my kids were younger I wasn't worried about stranger-danger. I was worried about actual danger from the trucks zipping everywhere. It's natural for kids to run around unpredictably, and that can be deadly near roads (which are everywhere).
Should soccer coaches rate their referees?
The latest episode of @refsneedlovetoo.bsky.social podcast discussed this. Some points I hadn't considered.
open.spotify.com/episode/5hcM...
1. Coach feedback should focus on ref development, not complaints. Train coaches on what's expected.
1/5
The latest episode of @refsneedlovetoo.bsky.social podcast discussed this. Some points I hadn't considered.
open.spotify.com/episode/5hcM...
1. Coach feedback should focus on ref development, not complaints. Train coaches on what's expected.
1/5
Saving Grassroots Soccer Through Referee Support with The Referee Advocates
open.spotify.com
December 3, 2025 at 5:42 AM
Should soccer coaches rate their referees?
The latest episode of @refsneedlovetoo.bsky.social podcast discussed this. Some points I hadn't considered.
open.spotify.com/episode/5hcM...
1. Coach feedback should focus on ref development, not complaints. Train coaches on what's expected.
1/5
The latest episode of @refsneedlovetoo.bsky.social podcast discussed this. Some points I hadn't considered.
open.spotify.com/episode/5hcM...
1. Coach feedback should focus on ref development, not complaints. Train coaches on what's expected.
1/5
Reposted by Jay Fitzsimmons
Banning street hockey in Canada?
This isn’t about protecting kids. It’s about protecting drivers from having to think about kids.
This isn’t about protecting kids. It’s about protecting drivers from having to think about kids.
Get outside kids, enjoy the fresh air with your friends!
Just kidding, stay the F inside.
Just kidding, stay the F inside.
November 27, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Banning street hockey in Canada?
This isn’t about protecting kids. It’s about protecting drivers from having to think about kids.
This isn’t about protecting kids. It’s about protecting drivers from having to think about kids.
Reposted by Jay Fitzsimmons
imagine how much better our city would be if more mayors and councilmembers and department heads actually rode transit and bikes.
New Post: Katie Wilson is Seattle’s Next Mayor seattletransitblog.com/2025/11/13/k...
November 13, 2025 at 11:08 PM
imagine how much better our city would be if more mayors and councilmembers and department heads actually rode transit and bikes.
Reposted by Jay Fitzsimmons
this is flat out our local leaders saying "we don't care about putting pedestrians, cyclists, people using wheelchairs, or kids in strollers in danger"
and nearly all our cities do it
and nearly all our cities do it
"A city's priorities become as clear as the spaces they choose to maintain in the winter."
Creative done with @thebikinglawyer.bsky.social
Creative done with @thebikinglawyer.bsky.social
November 12, 2025 at 1:59 PM
this is flat out our local leaders saying "we don't care about putting pedestrians, cyclists, people using wheelchairs, or kids in strollers in danger"
and nearly all our cities do it
and nearly all our cities do it
Good news!
#NEWS: Waterloo Regional Council voted 15-1 in favour of the full-route LRT extension to Cambridge, with construction planned to start as early as 2028. Many community members spoke in support of the extension, noting the need for equity, active transportation & housing density in Cambridge.
November 5, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Good news!
Reposted by Jay Fitzsimmons
Every time we choose to subsidize parking we make other choices less attractive. Why would I walk, bike, or take the bus when there's an abundance of parking at every stop?
This leads to people thinking that cars are the best choice, but they've just been subsidized the most.
This leads to people thinking that cars are the best choice, but they've just been subsidized the most.
Here's some more confirmation about how expensive providing parking is from questions yesterday.
"It costs more to build than what we could get from market leases going forward. And that's average across the city, that's not just us. It's just any parking is not profitable."
This is a choice.
"It costs more to build than what we could get from market leases going forward. And that's average across the city, that's not just us. It's just any parking is not profitable."
This is a choice.
October 31, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Every time we choose to subsidize parking we make other choices less attractive. Why would I walk, bike, or take the bus when there's an abundance of parking at every stop?
This leads to people thinking that cars are the best choice, but they've just been subsidized the most.
This leads to people thinking that cars are the best choice, but they've just been subsidized the most.
Reposted by Jay Fitzsimmons
What the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group promised Ottawa residents versus what OSEG actually delivered:
October 31, 2025 at 5:09 PM
What the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group promised Ottawa residents versus what OSEG actually delivered:
Reposted by Jay Fitzsimmons
The difference in the time it takes a streetcar in Amsterdam vs. Toronto to clear an intersection after servicing a nearside stop.
October 30, 2025 at 1:32 AM
The difference in the time it takes a streetcar in Amsterdam vs. Toronto to clear an intersection after servicing a nearside stop.
Reposted by Jay Fitzsimmons
The Region should keep them up and regularly publish data on how fast cars are going and how different speeds are from when the cameras generated fines for drivers who broke the law.
Waterloo Region speed cameras will be scrapped by Nov. 14, says Ford
www.therecord.com/news/waterlo...
www.therecord.com/news/waterlo...
Waterloo Region speed cameras will be scrapped by Nov. 14, says Ford
Doug Ford pushes through legislation to turn off speed cameras by Nov. 14
www.therecord.com
October 31, 2025 at 2:36 AM
The Region should keep them up and regularly publish data on how fast cars are going and how different speeds are from when the cameras generated fines for drivers who broke the law.
Watching some #CPL playoff soccer on @onesoccer.bsky.social. The Canadian Premier League is good soccer.
Play-by-play guy Adam Jenkins is great. Perfect level of enthusiasm, knows the Laws of the Game, pronounces players' names correctly, and gives credit to refs for good calls/games.
Play-by-play guy Adam Jenkins is great. Perfect level of enthusiasm, knows the Laws of the Game, pronounces players' names correctly, and gives credit to refs for good calls/games.
October 31, 2025 at 5:11 AM
Watching some #CPL playoff soccer on @onesoccer.bsky.social. The Canadian Premier League is good soccer.
Play-by-play guy Adam Jenkins is great. Perfect level of enthusiasm, knows the Laws of the Game, pronounces players' names correctly, and gives credit to refs for good calls/games.
Play-by-play guy Adam Jenkins is great. Perfect level of enthusiasm, knows the Laws of the Game, pronounces players' names correctly, and gives credit to refs for good calls/games.
Reposted by Jay Fitzsimmons
The Biodiversity Heritage Library doesn't just provide access to historic literature. There are publications on BHL from 1469 to 2025. The Canadian Field-Naturalist is one of many in-copyright publications we've made freely accessible online (with permission from the rights holders of course). 🧪 ©️ 📖
We can only show this change because of a short (basically 1 page of text) 1983 paper in the Canadian Field-Naturalist. As far as I can tell, this paper is only available online via @biodivlibrary.bsky.social www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/2800903...
October 25, 2025 at 7:30 PM
The Biodiversity Heritage Library doesn't just provide access to historic literature. There are publications on BHL from 1469 to 2025. The Canadian Field-Naturalist is one of many in-copyright publications we've made freely accessible online (with permission from the rights holders of course). 🧪 ©️ 📖
Reposted by Jay Fitzsimmons
Unfortunately data is never enough for people who make decisions based on culture wars.
The data could show 100% compliance and 0 accidents after installation and they would still try to rip these cameras out to make our streets more dangerous.
It is still amazing to see how clearly these work!
The data could show 100% compliance and 0 accidents after installation and they would still try to rip these cameras out to make our streets more dangerous.
It is still amazing to see how clearly these work!
City wide graphs of the effects of ASE camera installation on the percent of high-end speeders, and general speed limit compliance. These cameras work
October 16, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Unfortunately data is never enough for people who make decisions based on culture wars.
The data could show 100% compliance and 0 accidents after installation and they would still try to rip these cameras out to make our streets more dangerous.
It is still amazing to see how clearly these work!
The data could show 100% compliance and 0 accidents after installation and they would still try to rip these cameras out to make our streets more dangerous.
It is still amazing to see how clearly these work!