Songbirding

The meadows are again full of melodies -- this time a mix of Field Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Tree Swallow, Eastern Towhee, and more. For those with high-frequency hearing loss, you may alternatively download to "Songbirding Under 5kHz". Credits Recorded, engineered, narrated and created by Rob Porter. Creative Commons music by Kai Engel - https://www.kai-engel.com/

The meadows are full of melodies -- the songs of the Eastern Meadowlark. At the Vinemount Meadows Nature Sanctuary this species, Common Raven, Song Sparrow, and Red-winged Blackbirds are featured. For those with high-frequency hearing loss, you may alternatively download to "Songbirding Under 5kHz". Credits Recorded, engineered, narrated and created by Rob Porter. Creative Commons music by Kai Engel - https://www.kai-engel.com/

PEENT! The ridiculous territorial calls and displays of the American Woodcock are featured in this evening out in mid-March. For those with high-frequency hearing loss, you may alternatively download to "Songbirding Under 5kHz". Credits Recorded, engineered, narrated and created by Rob Porter. Creative Commons music by Kai Engel - https://www.kai-engel.com/

Songs of the Red-winged Blackbird flocks is one of our local signs of spring. Along the Spencer Creek this species, Canada Goose, Black-capped Chickadee, Song Sparrow, and Carolina Wren are abundant and singing. For those with high-frequency hearing loss, you may alternatively download to "Songbirding Under 5kHz". Credits Recorded, engineered, narrated and created by Rob Porter. Creative Commons music by Kai Engel - https://www.kai-engel.com/

Spring is coming, and the Northern Mockingbirds of Bayfront Park in Hamilton, Ontario are getting ready. For those with high-frequency hearing loss, you may alternatively download to "Songbirding Under 5kHz". Credits Recorded, engineered, narrated and created by Rob Porter. Creative Commons music by Kai Engel - https://www.kai-engel.com/

Season Finale. Season 3 coming soon! It may only be the end of August, but what is generally referred to as the fall migration has started in earnest. Credits Recorded, engineered, narrated and created by Rob Porter. Music from https://filmmusic.io "Revival" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

As August advances, birdsong becomes more sparse. A walk along the Dofasco Trail then to the Vinemount Swamp shows a great diversity of species, just with a bit less acoustic enthusiasm. For those with High Frequency Hearing Loss (HFHL), you may alternatively download "Songbirding Under 5kHz". Credits Recorded, engineered, narrated and created by Rob Porter. Music from https://filmmusic.io "Revival" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

A brief hike in Westover, Ontario where the Eastern Towhee and Field Sparrow are encountered. Also, a brief recording of Eastern Towhee in the Dundas Valley. Credits Recorded, engineered, narrated and created by Rob Porter. Music from https://filmmusic.io "Parhelion" by Alexander Nakarada (https://www.serpentsoundstudios.com/) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Red-eyed Vireos, Blue Jays, Eastern Wood-Pewees, and a whole lot of cicadas are found along Caleb's Walk and the Ravine Road trails in Cootes Paradise. Credits Recorded, engineered, narrated and created by Rob Porter. Creative Commons music from Scott Buckley. Creative Commons sounds from the Hamilton Naturalists' Club.

Riparian and urban habitats are explored along the Grand River in Waterloo, Ontario. Osprey, Belted Kingfisher, Blue Jay, and many more species are featured. Credits Recorded, engineered, narrated and created by Rob Porter. Music from https://filmmusic.io "Circuits" by Alexander Nakarada (https://www.serpentsoundstudios.com/) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

The sounds of a lazy August afternoon hike: green frogs, Red-winged Blackbirds, House Wren, Barn Swallows, and more. Credits Recorded, engineered, narrated and created by Rob Porter. Music from https://filmmusic.io "Jack the Lumberer" by Alexander Nakarada (https://www.serpentsoundstudios.com/) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Support Songbirding by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/songbirding

At the Fletcher Creek Ecological Preserve, Common Yellowthroats, Field Sparrows, and two species of cuckoo are found. For those with High Frequency Hearing Loss (HFHL), you may alternatively download "Songbirding Under 5kHz". Credits Recorded, engineered, narrated and created by Rob Porter. Creative Commons music by Kevin McLeod. Support Songbirding by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/songbirding

Blue-grey Gnatcatchers, American Redstarts, Warbling Vireos, and more are found within Princess Point Park in Hamilton, Ontario. Credits Recorded, engineered, narrated and created by Rob Porter. Music from https://filmmusic.io "Desperation" by Alexander Nakarada (https://www.serpentsoundstudios.com/) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Support Songbirding by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/songbirding

A birding walk through Johnson Tew Park in Greensville, including Song and Savannah Sparrow, Indigo Bunting, Red-winged Blackbird, and an elusive Orchard Oriole. Credits Recorded, engineered, narrated and created by Rob Porter. Music from https://filmmusic.io "Almost Bliss" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Support Songbirding by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/songbirding

Going deeper into the old growth section of McMaster Forest reveals Scarlet Tanagers, Blue-winged Warblers, Wood Thrush, Red-eyed Vireos, Indigo Bunting and more. Credits Recorded, engineered, narrated and created by Rob Porter. Music from https://filmmusic.io "Slow Burn" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Support Songbirding by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/songbirding

A birding hike through the tallgrass prairie of McMaster Forest in Hamilton, Ontario, featuring Field Sparrow, Eastern Towhee, and Wood Thrush. Credits Recorded, engineered, narrated and created by Rob Porter. Music from https://filmmusic.io "Slow Burn" and "I Feel You" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Support Songbirding by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/songbirding

Put your birdsong ID skills to the test, with this selection of clips from Season 1 of Songbirding. Scroll down for the quiz answer key. Credits Recorded, engineered, narrated and created by Rob Porter. Creative Commons music by Alexander Nakarada. ==QUIZ ANSWERS BELOW= = . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . = . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - - - - Indigo Bunting, Red-eyed Vireo Chestnut-sided Warbler Yellow-rumped (Myrtle) Warbler, (American Redstart background) Winter Wren, Hermit Thrush Purple Finch Blackburnian Warbler, Red-eyed Vireo Blackburnian Warbler, Red-eyed Vireo (Pine Warbler near end) Common Yellowthroat Black-throated Blue Warbler, Hermit Thrush Red-winged Blackbird Black-throated Green Warbler American Redstart Gray Catbird (Mourning Dove & Common Yellowthroat in background) Eastern Wood-Pewee Ovenbird Black-throated Green Warbler, Winter Wren Nashville Warbler Dark-eyed Junco Support Songbirding by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/songbirding

Season Finale. Credits Recorded, engineered, narrated and created by Rob Porter. Creative Commons music by Scott Buckley – https://www.scottbuckley.com.au/ Creative Commons sounds by Jordan Powell – https://freesound.org/people/Erokia/ Support Songbirding by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/songbirding

Dark-eyed Juncos, Black-throated Blue Warblers, and more are found along the edge of the Niagara Escarpment over Barrow Bay. Credits Recorded, engineered, narrated and created by Rob Porter. Creative Commons music by Scott Buckley – https://www.scottbuckley.com.au/ Creative Commons sounds by Jordan Powell – https://freesound.org/people/Erokia/ Support Songbirding by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/songbirding

Hermit Thrush and various warblers are found in this unique rocky forest along the Niagara Escarpment. Credits Recorded, engineered, narrated and created by Rob Porter. Creative Commons music by Scott Buckley – https://www.scottbuckley.com.au/ Creative Commons sounds by Jordan Powell – https://freesound.org/people/Erokia/ Support Songbirding by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/songbirding

A soundscape captured at St Jean Point Nature Reserve. Featured: Northern Waterthrush, Yellow-rumped (Myrtle) Warbler, American Redstart, Red-winged Blackbird, Song Sparrow, Black-and-white Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, American Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, Gray Catbird, Cedar Waxwing, American Robin, Northern Flicker. A clip of each species identified can be viewed on this eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S64338267 Credits Recorded, engineered, narrated and created by Rob Porter. Creative Commons music by Scott Buckley – https://www.scottbuckley.com.au/ Creative Commons sounds by Jordan Powell – https://freesound.org/people/Erokia/ Support Songbirding by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/songbirding

A mix of birding locations around the Bruce Peninsula are explored. Credits Recorded, engineered, narrated and created by Rob Porter. Creative Commons music by Scott Buckley – https://www.scottbuckley.com.au/ Creative Commons sounds by Jordan Powell – https://freesound.org/people/Erokia/ Support Songbirding by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/songbirding

Some tips for starting out when birding. Includes discussion on binoculars, cameras, apps, where to find birds locally, how to learn bird identification effectively, and more.

More warblers, wren, thrushes and some other unexpected creatures on the walk back. Learn more about the Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy at https://escarpment.ca/ Credits Recorded, engineered, narrated and created by Rob Porter. Creative Commons music by Scott Buckley – https://www.scottbuckley.com.au/ Creative Commons sounds by Jordan Powell – https://freesound.org/people/Erokia/ Support Songbirding by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/songbirding

American Redstart, Myrtle Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, and more are found in the Alvar Bay proper. Learn more about the Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy at https://escarpment.ca/ Credits Recorded, engineered, narrated and created by Rob Porter. Creative Commons music by Scott Buckley – https://www.scottbuckley.com.au/ Creative Commons sounds by Jordan Powell – https://freesound.org/people/Erokia/ Support Songbirding by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/songbirding

Summer songs of Winter Wrens, Swainson's Thrush, American Redstarts and more are found at this nature reserve on the northwest end of the peninsula. Learn more about the Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy at https://escarpment.ca/ Credits Recorded, engineered, narrated and created by Rob Porter. Creative Commons music by Scott Buckley – https://www.scottbuckley.com.au/ Creative Commons sounds by Jordan Powell – https://freesound.org/people/Erokia/ Support Songbirding by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/songbirding

A surprise song chorus of Eastern Coyote leads the return walk, including Chipping Sparrows, Indigo Bunting, and some rural Rock Pigeons. Credits Recorded, engineered, narrated and created by Rob Porter. Creative Commons music by Scott Buckley – https://www.scottbuckley.com.au/ Creative Commons sounds by Jordan Powell – https://freesound.org/people/Erokia/ Support Songbirding by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/songbirding

No swans here, the "lake" is really more of a wetland, but the birds are plentiful. Credits Recorded, engineered, narrated and created by Rob Porter. Creative Commons music by Scott Buckley – https://www.scottbuckley.com.au/ Creative Commons sounds by Jordan Powell – https://freesound.org/people/Erokia/ Support Songbirding by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/songbirding

Winter songbirds are featured both on the Bruce Peninsula, and around Hamilton, Ontario. Credits Recorded, engineered, narrated and created by Rob Porter. Creative Commons music by Scott Buckley – https://www.scottbuckley.com.au/ Creative Commons music provided by Kat Claire – https://freesound.org/people/googlekatclaire/ Support Songbirding by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/songbirding

Black-capped Chickadees and Snow Buntings abound in the Hanover-Walkerton Christmas Bird Count (part 1 of 2). Learn more about the Christmas Bird Count at https://www.birdscanada.org/volunteer/cbc/ Credits Recorded, engineered, narrated and created by Rob Porter. Creative Commons music by Scott Buckley – https://www.scottbuckley.com.au/ Creative Commons music provided by Kat Claire – https://freesound.org/people/googlekatclaire/ Support Songbirding by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/songbirding

A long winding gravel road through forest and swamp. Recorded near Lion's Head, Ontario, Canada on July 19, 2019. Credits Recorded, engineered, narrated and created by Rob Porter. Creative Commons music by StrangerEight.

On the way out, a patch of Brown Creepers and Black-and-white Warblers is discovered. (Part 4 of 4) Recorded on July 19, 2019 near Wiarton, Ontario, Canada. Credits Recorded, engineered, narrated and created by Rob Porter. Creative Commons by Scott Buckley – https://www.scottbuckley.com.au/ Creative Commons Sounds provided by Erokia/Jordan Powell from https://freesound.org/ Support Songbirding by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/songbirding

Two mystery species prompt a discussion on good documentation for bird identification. (Part 3 of 4) Recorded on July 19, 2019 near Wiarton, Ontario, Canada. Credits Recorded, engineered, narrated and created by Rob Porter. Creative Commons by Scott Buckley – https://www.scottbuckley.com.au/ Creative Commons Sounds provided by Erokia/Jordan Powell from https://freesound.org/ Support Songbirding by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/songbirding

Deeper into the park trails, songful Winter Wrens and Blackburnian Warblers are heard. Recorded on July 19, 2019 near Wiarton, Ontario, Canada. Credits Recorded, engineered, narrated and created by Rob Porter. Creative Commons by Scott Buckley – https://www.scottbuckley.com.au/ Creative Commons Sounds provided by Erokia/Jordan Powell from https://freesound.org/ Support Songbirding by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/songbirding

(Bonus) This features the episode 'The "Sore-throated" Vireo' from season 1 of the podcast "Songscapes". The episode is a soundscape of birdsongs recorded in Cootes Paradise in Hamilton, Ontario on June 30, 2019, comprised predominantly of Yellow-throated Vireo song. Subscribe to Songscapes if you enjoyed this episode! Includes Creative Commons soundscape from the Hamilton Naturalists' Club. The original episode notes from Songscapes follows: The Yellow-throated Vireo shares much in common with its red-eyed cousins. Their song is only different in its harsh intonation, making it sound like a "sore-throated" rendition of the Red-eyed Vireo song. Found in wet forest habitats, it sometimes overlaps with Red-eyed Vireos, making them difficult to separate to the untrained ear. This soundscape features two different Yellow-throated Vireos, both on breeding territory on the south share of Cootes Paradise along the Ravine Road Trail, bordering McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. In the final minutes of the soundscape, after 14m 30s, both Yellow-throated and Red-eyed Vireos are heard in contrast to one another. Also heard: Carolina Wren, American Redstart, Red-winged Blackbird, Yellow Warbler, Northern Cardinal, American Robin, Red-tailed Hawk, and more! Recorded on June 30, 2019. Audio recording and editing by Rob Porter. Recorded on an iPhone 6S with an Edutige EIM-001 mic. For more information, see http://hamiltonnature.org/songscapes Support Songbirding by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/songbirding

A new birding spot nets vireos, warblers, thrushes, and finches. (Part 1 of 4) Recorded on July 19, 2019 near Wiarton, Ontario, Canada. Credits Recorded, engineered, narrated and created by Rob Porter. Creative Commons by Scott Buckley – https://www.scottbuckley.com.au/ Creative Commons Sounds provided by Erokia/Jordan Powell from https://freesound.org/ Support Songbirding by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/songbirding

Dusty country road birding, Savannah Sparrows, and the search for singing Bobolinks resumes. Recorded on July 18, 2019 near Ferndale, Ontario, Canada. Credits Recorded, engineered, narrated and created by Rob Porter. Creative Commons music by Keinzweiter. Support Songbirding by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/songbirding

How do you go birding in bad weather? A short discussion on the topic, plus a bit of news about the Songbirding podcast.

(Conclusion) Ovenbirds, microclimates, and birding on the escarpment edge. Recorded on July 18, 2019 near Dyer's Bay, Ontario, Canada. Credits Recorded, engineered, narrated and created by Rob Porter. Creative Commons by Scott Buckley – https://www.scottbuckley.com.au/ Creative Commons Sounds provided by Erokia/Jordan Powell from https://freesound.org/ Support Songbirding by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/songbirding

A sunbathing surprise, and an Eastern Towhee with a curious accent. Recorded on July 18, 2019 near Dyer's Bay, Ontario, Canada. Credits Recorded, engineered, narrated and created by Rob Porter. Creative Commons music by Scott Buckley. Support Songbirding by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/songbirding

An autumnal owling adventure in the twilight hour. Common Raven recorded on January 21, 2018 in Cootes Paradise Sanctuary, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Owling session recorded on October 9, 2019 in Dundas, Ontario, Canada. Referenced article on audio playback (or whistling!) in birding: https://www.sibleyguides.com/2011/04/the-proper-use-of-playback-in-birding/ Credits Recorded, engineered, narrated and created by Rob Porter. Creepy Creative Commons music by Scott Buckley. Support Songbirding by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/songbirding

Warblers abound on the journey to the Juniper Flats of Dyer's Bay. Recorded on July 18, 2019 near Dyer's Bay, Ontario, Canada. eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/canada/checklist/S60656594 Credits Recorded, engineered, narrated and created by Rob Porter. Creative Commons music by Scott Buckley. With additional Creative Commons sounds by Jordan Powell. Support Songbirding by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/songbirding

The search for an elusive Black-throated Blue Warbler, discovery of a surprise warbler in the parking lot. Recorded on July 17, 2019 near Lion's Head, Ontario, Canada. To see the eBird checklist, visit: https://ebird.org/canada/view/checklist/S60656299 Credits Recorded, engineered, narrated and created by Rob Porter. Creative Commons by Scott Buckley – https://www.scottbuckley.com.au/ Support Songbirding by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/songbirding Check out our podcast host, Pinecast. Start your own podcast for free with no credit card required. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-da20d0 for 40% off for 4 months, and support Songbirding.

Trail turns to road, an enthusiastic Black-throated Green Warbler cooperates loudly while Northern Waterthrush tease in silence. Recorded on July 17, 2019 near Cape Chin North, Ontario, Canada. See the eBird checklist at: https://ebird.org/canada/view/checklist/S60624510 Credits Recorded, engineered, narrated and created by Rob Porter. Creative Commons by Scott Buckley – https://www.scottbuckley.com.au/ Creative Commons Sounds provided by Erokia/Jordan Powell from https://freesound.org/ Support Songbirding by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/songbirding

Edge habitats and fields yield songful Indigo Buntings, peeved Red-winged Blackbirds and Bobolinks. Recorded on July 17, 2019 near Cape Chin North, Ontario, Canada. See the eBird checklist at: https://ebird.org/canada/view/checklist/S60624510 Credits Recorded, engineered, narrated and created by Rob Porter. Creative Commons music by Scott Buckley. With additional Creative Commons sounds by Jordan Powell. Support Songbirding by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/songbirding

Hiking through the rocky alvar reveals talkative Red-eyed Vireos, riled up American Redstarts, and boastful Common Yellowthroats. Recorded on July 17, 2019 near Cape Chin North, Ontario, Canada. See the eBird checklist at: https://ebird.org/canada/view/checklist/S60624510 Credits Recorded, engineered, narrated and created by Rob Porter. Creative Commons by Scott Buckley – https://www.scottbuckley.com.au/ Creative Commons Sounds provided by Erokia/Jordan Powell from https://freesound.org/ Support Songbirding by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/songbirding