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Rob Porter | Songbirder
@songbirder.social
4.2K followers 810 following 1K posts
I collect hobbies for a hobby! Birding, retro gaming, programming, nature, field recording...

Creator of Songbirding podcast. Bird Studies Director at @hamiltonnature.org. Widower and former cancer caregiver. #HamOnt

https://songbirder.social
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Reposted by Rob Porter | Songbirder
astraughnomer.bsky.social
Chaos! This *incredible* new #jwst image shows shells of dust emitted over the last 700 years by a system of 3 aging stars. The 2 main stars tear through space at an astonishing ~2000 MILES PER SECOND, whereas the 3rd star cuts through the dust like a knife. More: science.nasa.gov/missions/web...
Webb First to Show 4 Dust Shells 'Spiraling' Apep, Limits Long Orbit - NASA Science
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has delivered a first of its kind: a crisp mid-infrared image of a system of four serpentine spirals of dust, one expanding
science.nasa.gov
November 19, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Reposted by Rob Porter | Songbirder
wilsonornithsoc.bsky.social
Research aimed at reducing conflict between humans and gulls has shown that Herring Gulls recognize and react to angry, raised voices. #ornithology
Yes, shouting at seagulls actually works, scientists confirm
This is one of the few times shouting might actually help.
theconversation.com
November 18, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Reposted by Rob Porter | Songbirder
hamiltonnature.org
Become a Sanctuary Steward! 🌿

We're looking for volunteers to help monitor our nature sanctuaries. Properties in need of a steward include Amaolo, Margaret McWhinnie, Sheelah Dunn Dooley, Spooky Hollow, Thomas and Mary Young, and Vinemount. Email Jen Baker at land@hamiltonnature.org if interested.
Image of a forest in fall colours with text above and below. Text reads: Become a Sanctuary Steward. Volunteers will visit their assigned nature sanctuary at least twice per year, monitoring the property boundaries off-trail and recording general issues on a report form. Contact Jen Baker, General Manager, and land@hamiltonnature.org
November 15, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Reposted by Rob Porter | Songbirder
songbirder.social
The province of #Ontario has posted for comment plans to amalgamate the conservation authorities, open for comment until Dec 22.

I’m not sure why amalgamation, considering what happened when they did this with municipalities. Hopefully w/feedback they will reconsider

ero.ontario.ca/notice/025-1...
Proposed boundaries for the regional consolidation of Ontario’s conservation authorities | Environmental Registry of Ontario
Ontario is proposing changes to improve the conservation authority (CA) system to free up resources for front-line service delivery to help protect communities and better align the work of CAs with pr...
ero.ontario.ca
November 14, 2025 at 4:07 AM
songbirder.social
The province of #Ontario has posted for comment plans to amalgamate the conservation authorities, open for comment until Dec 22.

I’m not sure why amalgamation, considering what happened when they did this with municipalities. Hopefully w/feedback they will reconsider

ero.ontario.ca/notice/025-1...
Proposed boundaries for the regional consolidation of Ontario’s conservation authorities | Environmental Registry of Ontario
Ontario is proposing changes to improve the conservation authority (CA) system to free up resources for front-line service delivery to help protect communities and better align the work of CAs with pr...
ero.ontario.ca
November 14, 2025 at 4:07 AM
Reposted by Rob Porter | Songbirder
chron.com
The roadside 'flight diverters' cut monarch deaths by about 50 percent.
Texas' new 'butterfly nets' are saving monarchs from becoming roadkill
The roadside 'flight diverters' cut monarch deaths by about 50 percent.
bit.ly
November 13, 2025 at 10:20 PM
songbirder.social
Cat paw vs human finger as arm wrestling
November 12, 2025 at 3:00 AM
songbirder.social
We’re live now! Starting very soon www.youtube.com/live/v_MYowo...
November 11, 2025 at 12:28 AM
Reposted by Rob Porter | Songbirder
hamiltonnature.org
TONIGHT: Queer Ecology - A Celebration of Human & Non-human Diversity

Listen to May Matchim highlight a few of the plants + animals around us that challenge heteronormativity and the sex binary.

📅 Nov 10, 2025 | 7:30 - 9:00 PM
📍 170 Dundurn St S, Hamilton ON)
🔗 Livestream: buff.ly/libjr2i
November 10, 2025 at 4:35 PM
songbirder.social
Wow is blue sky super broken lately? I can’t seem to take or upload video, and searches on the topic just time out. Tried to login to Flashes but it doesn’t support custom handles I guess, only .bsky.social handles 🤔
November 9, 2025 at 4:06 PM
songbirder.social
Low light capabilities of modern phones is wild
Night time photo of moon, stars, clouds and sky with some bushes and trees below. Everything is brighter than it should be at night.
November 4, 2025 at 12:10 AM
Reposted by Rob Porter | Songbirder
aosiecka.bsky.social
🔊Go listen to Marco's awesome new podcast on bioacoustics! I might be partial, but both guests ( @nicolasmathevon.bsky.social & @mhoeschele.bsky.social ) are beyond amazing💚🎶
marcomaiolini.bsky.social Marco Maiolini @marcomaiolini.bsky.social · 18d
🎼What is octave equivalence?
🎶Do animals use notes and octaves?

In the second episode of Acoustic World, we talk about it with @mhoeschele.bsky.social from ARI Vienna’s "Musicality and Bioacoustics" group.

Free now on Spotify

open.spotify.com/episode/7m6Y...

#acousticworld #bioacoustic #podcast
A choir which sounds different
open.spotify.com
November 3, 2025 at 12:33 PM
songbirder.social
This new phone of mine can do a decent bird photo if the bird is fairly close up. 🪶

Yellow-rumped Warbler at McMaster University’s west campus this morning.

#YellowRumpedWarbler #birding
A Yellow-rumped Warbler on a twig.
November 2, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Reposted by Rob Porter | Songbirder
hamiltonnature.org
What's happening in November? ❄️
▪️ Nov 1: Invasive Shrub Pull
▪️ Nov 2: Fall Bird Count
▪️ Nov 8: WELO KBA Survey
▪️ Nov 8: Invasive Shrub Pull
▪️ Nov 8: Rock for Nature Concert
▪️ Nov 10: Monthly Meeting
▪️ Nov 15: 'Novembirding' at Spencer Creek
▪️ Nov 15: Invasive Shrub Pull
▪️ Nov 17: Bird Study Group
November 1, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Reposted by Rob Porter | Songbirder
songbirding.com
Catbirds, White-throated Sparrows, a whole lot of insects, and maybe an owl?

The 2025 Songbirding Halloween Special is out 🎃🪶

pnc.st/s/songbirdin...
Songbirding Halloween Special
Tonight, we take a walk after dark through a swamp full of katydids, crickets, grasshoppers, and maybe an owl... Credits Songbirding: Species in Focus is a Songbirding Studios production. Recorded, ...
pnc.st
October 30, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Reposted by Rob Porter | Songbirder
songbirding.com
It's been a few years since a new Hallowe'en Songbirding Special.. but before a new one comes out.. here's a few you can enjoy from past years.. 🪶 👇
October 29, 2025 at 12:05 AM
Reposted by Rob Porter | Songbirder
hamiltonnature.org
TONIGHT - Bird Study Group: Researching & Writing the Birder Murder Mysteries

Steve Burrows will share a light-hearted look at his path from birder and environmental journalist to author of a best-selling series.

📅 Oct 27, 2025 | 7:30 - 9PM
📍 170 Dundurn St S, #HamOnt
🔗 Livestream: buff.ly/libjr2i
October 27, 2025 at 11:30 AM
songbirder.social
Apparently Snow Buntings have sold out to corporate interests 🪶
Discord screenshot: Cameron Chevalier 10:43AM: There's a Snow Bunting on the west side of the Pelee VC, very confiding, near the Pepsi machine Cameron Chevalier 12:22PM: (Posts photo of Pepsi machine with a Snow Bunting on the ground beside.) Still here, big Pepsi fan
October 27, 2025 at 4:59 PM
songbirder.social
Weird #Wrensday story. I do a quick search on my Mac for "wren", and this *screenshot* comes up. No filename at all that indicates it is a wren. MacOS is now scanning files and identifying birds on its own 😱 🪶

(To be fair it also included a rather wren-like thrush in the results.. but still.. wow!)
A House Wren in mid-flight, appears to be screaming into the void
October 22, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Reposted by Rob Porter | Songbirder
zooboise.bsky.social
Toogle loves carving pumpkins! 🎃

Come see him and other Zoo Boise animals receive Halloween treats, plus trick or treat stations, costume contests, and lots more fun on Saturday, Oct. 25 and Sunday, Oct. 26 for Boo at the Zoo, presented by Delta Dental of Idaho.

🎥: So. ground hornbill enrichment
October 21, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Reposted by Rob Porter | Songbirder
songbirding.com
New episode - a companion piece to the previous episode, the focus of this episode is the Sedge Wren.

This may be the only episode focused on a single individual bird, not just a species!

#birds #birdsong #FieldRecording

pnc.st/s/songbirdin...
Species in Focus: Sedge Wren
The Sedge Wren is a small, russet coloured energetic songbird found breeding in fields and shallow marshes in many parts of inland North America. Their song consists of several dry-sounding chirps fo...
pnc.st
October 22, 2025 at 2:09 PM
songbirder.social
Wow Apple. Fishing is exercise but birding is not? 😒
Screenshot showing valid exercises in Apple Fitness, which does include fishing Screenshot showing valid exercises in Apple Fitness, which does not include birding
October 20, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Reposted by Rob Porter | Songbirder
songbirding.com
A new episode is out, focused on the Marsh Wren. Recorded over the course of several days (and years, I guess!) at Taquanyah Conservation Area near Cayuga, Ontario.

Sort of a two-parter. At the end you'll understand why.

#birds #birdsong #nature #soundscapes #FieldRecording

pnc.st/s/songbirdin...
Species In Focus: Marsh Wren
The Marsh Wren is a small, brownish, energetic songbird found in wetlands across a large swath of North America. Their song is a mix of harsh trills, gurgles, and buzzes. And, like most wren species,...
pnc.st
October 17, 2025 at 12:26 AM
Reposted by Rob Porter | Songbirder
tinylongwing.bsky.social
I'm Lauren, a biologist and illustrator with @instbirdpop.bsky.social . I work in songbird population monitoring & demographics. I band birds, teach bird banding classes, and operate stations in Yosemite and on Rota in the Northern Mariana Islands! & then I get to illustrate for our publications!
Photo of two bird banders holding two male Red-winged Blackbirds side by side to compare details on the wings. Below them is a table full of books and datasheets and tools for collecting information on the birds' age and health status. Photo of a hand holding a Micronesian Rufous Fantail banded on Rota. This is a documentational photo of the bird moments before its safe release on site. Me (right) helping Dept. of Fish and Wildlife employees on Saipan learn to look for ageing details on Micronesian Rufous Fantail, one of the most common birds on the island. The bird is being held safely with one wing extended while I point to something on it to look at. Digital illustration of a Great Gray Owl in front of conifers with light snowfall. The bird is looking to the upper right toward a glow of faint warm sunlight. This was done for The Institution for Bird Populations as a winter thank you card to donors.
August 20, 2025 at 2:34 PM
songbirder.social
File this under "I don't understand the algorithm"

This feed has been up under the new channel for one day. It's already 1/3rd of the way to beating how many views/listens the podcast had on YT when mixed with my videos. 🤷‍♂️

(It's nothing huge, and the views are concentrated on random episodes.)
songbirder.social Rob Porter | Songbirder @songbirder.social · Oct 15
When Google Podcasts shut down, podcasters were forced to move to YouTube Music Podcasts (so confusing!) and it was not made clear that adding an audio podcast to a channel would flood your video channel with audio content, so I've moved Songbirding audio podcast to its own channel.
songbirding.com Songbirding @songbirding.com · Oct 15
Some housekeeping has been done with the audio feed of Songbirding on Youtube (& Youtube Music Podcasts 🙃) -- the podcast can now be found on a separate channel to keep things a bit neater.

This channel will be only audio content -- follow at the link below!

www.youtube.com/@Songbirding...
October 16, 2025 at 3:05 PM