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Alice Boyle

@birdfiddler.bsky.social
2K followers 1.4K following 497 posts

birds~rain, prairies, wet tropical forests, conservation, migration & dispersal; equity & social justice; @WesternU (prev Kansas State); also fiddle player, contra dance musician www.aliceboyle.net

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Alice Boyle @birdfiddler.bsky.social · 7h
NO. Easy answer
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Ethan Linck @elinck.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
I'm hiring a postdoc to help build tools for inferring complex speciation histories with genomic data. strong computational skills are a must, but this is a training opportunity. 60K$+ salary, 2 years, details flexible. please reach out! (and repost) ad here: jobs.montana.edu/postings/53150
jobs.montana.edu
Postdoctoral Researcher
The Department of Ecology at Montana State University is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Scholar as part of NSF-funded research on speciation under alternating cycles of gene flow and isolation (fundi...
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Alice Boyle @birdfiddler.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
I am nerdily into enjoying when I eat a taxonomically diverse meal; this just upped the sophistication of that game by a huge leap!
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Zinn Education Project @zinnedproject.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
#tdih 1962, "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson published, exposed impact of pesticides on environment. Carson was vilified: called a Communist, disloyal, unscientific, and hysterical. Sound familiar? Attacks on truth tellers, with media complicity. See⬇️🧵 www.zinnedproject.org/news/tdih/si...
zinnedproject.org
Sept. 27, 1962: Silent Spring Published
Silent Spring by Rachel Carson was published.
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Alice Boyle @birdfiddler.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
I agree that this seems not newsworthy…. But good to bring the value of old- growth grasslands back to the front of people’s minds
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Dan Carter @prairiebotanist.com · 28/09/2026
Ancient grasslands, once destroyed, don’t grow the same plant species back www.nature.com/articles/d44.... We already knew this. There are whole organizations founded on this and which are aware of the mechanisms.
nature.com
Ancient grasslands, once destroyed, don’t grow the same plant species back
Recovering secondary grasslands have taller plants that can quickly absorb light and nutrients.
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Alice Boyle @birdfiddler.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
This was the culmination of a ton of work and SO MUCH FUN! The grads and faculty showed up in force and shared some of the fabulous goings on at the CAM! I am so exhausted now!
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Alice Boyle @birdfiddler.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
We are all SO EXCITED to announce that @margaretatwood.bsky.social has chosen to support the centre for @animalsonthemove.bsky.social and @westernu.ca with this incredibly generous gift! news.westernu.ca/2026/09/grae...
news.westernu.ca
Graeme Gibson Chair in Avian Biology created at Western Western News -
A $1-million gift from Margaret Atwood in honour of her longtime partner will create the Graeme Gibson Chair in Avian Biology at Western.
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Centre for Animals on the Move at Western @animalsonthemove.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
The Research Showcase (11-2 at the Great Hall) also features short, engaging talks on animals. Learn how cell phones can help track the migratory journeys of monarch butterflies, and what female chickadees are looking for in a mate! (3/3)
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Centre for Animals on the Move at Western @animalsonthemove.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Stop by our Research Showcase between 11-2 at the Great Hall (Somerville House). There are interactive displays for all ages, featuring animal tracking, wildlife conservation, bee colonies, animal-themed card making with our Artist in Residence, and more! Also refreshments! (2/3)
Watercolour painting of a white-crowned sparrow
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Centre for Animals on the Move at Western @animalsonthemove.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
It’s fall and animals are on the move! Come check out our Fall Festival on @westernu campus, Saturday September 26th. (1/3) #WesternU #WesternHoco
Photo of a yellow-rumped warbler with a radio tag, gently restrained in the handPhoto of a green darner dragonfly being gently held by the wings
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Alice Boyle @birdfiddler.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
I’ve been working hard on the event for a while now… come and celebrate with us! #western #FallFestival
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Alice Boyle @birdfiddler.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Enjoyed being a buckeye for the day! So fun to connect with so many former K-State folks as well!
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Alice Boyle @birdfiddler.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
There is no way he is native right?
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Alice Boyle @birdfiddler.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Can anyone ID this guy?
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Alice Boyle @birdfiddler.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
I am so proud
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Beth MacDougall-Shackleton @bethmacshack.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Day 6 without power and crickets from dean and VPR (apparently this is above, or below, their pay grades). What about the Chem building, also without power? Lots of volatile substances that need fumehoods and temp control to be safe. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
'Irreplaceable' samples destroyed in latest power outage at Western University in London, Ont. | CBC News
Irreplaceable research samples have been destroyed, experiments delayed and lab access cut off after a four-day power outage at Western University in London, Ont., left biology researchers scrambling ...
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Alice Boyle @birdfiddler.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
sooooo envious! I have wanted to see one for DECADES
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Alice Boyle @birdfiddler.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Does it though? Could be the same number but different individuals each year
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Alice Boyle @birdfiddler.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
ok... but this is a difference in APPARENT survival, and we already know that females are more likely to disperse in most birds than males. So I'm having trouble with the overwhelming messaging that this is actually difference in mortality.
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Joe Brennan @biologyjoe87.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Looking for sci comm opportunities? Join us as a writer for American Naturalist press releases! These write-ups are primarily written by graduate students and other early-career scientists. No experience required; we have editors to help along the way. Apps due Sept 1. Please share widely :D
forms.gle
Looking for Press Release Writers & Editors for The American Naturalist
Sign up for the opportunity to write and/or edit for The American Naturalist! We are seeking authors to write press releases for new journal articles. See examples of recent press releases here. We a...
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Alice Boyle @birdfiddler.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Awesome! enjoy the ride! (and don't forget that much of the pressure is self-imposed... you can back away if you need to more than you think)
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Alice Boyle @birdfiddler.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
by the time that happened, I was exhausted... the ms had gone through so many rounds/revisions, the student had other priorities, I just caved
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Alice Boyle @birdfiddler.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
@westernu.ca is a great place to work... except every summer, Biology experiences prolonged and devastating power outages that is ruining research, training, and reputation. I have escaped most consequences so far, but my colleagues are at their wits ends. CBC reports... tinyurl.com/42trwfvm
tinyurl.com
Western biology department faces research delays, sample losses after 4-day power outage | CBC News
Irreplaceable research samples have been destroyed, experiments delayed, and lab access cut off after a four-day power outage at Western University left biology researchers scrambling to protect years...
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Alice Boyle @birdfiddler.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Re 1, Good point. I will say that there was another year of bug sampling later (not within timeframe of the other pieces of this project) and found nothing in that project either. So little so that the editors made us cut from paper
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Alice Boyle @birdfiddler.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Just found out it is #BlackCatAppreciationDay I clearly live with the best one…
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Alice Boyle @birdfiddler.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Re (2) not 100% sure I understand the point, but the massive decline in density for sure may be influencing things here. Possibly food limitation more impt previously. It sure seems that veg-mediated safety from predators may be critical driver of much of their LH
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Alice Boyle @birdfiddler.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Great points, Mike. Re (1) interannual variability, true, but we were trying to explain why birds were moving around within year... the prediction was that they'd move to where there was more food that yr, so interannual patterns not relevant to the prediction.
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Alice Boyle @birdfiddler.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
#NewPaperAlert! This is 1 of those one... in file cabinet many years; DELIGHTED to see it out! We tried hard to find evidence for food availability mattering to grassland birds... & failed. Folks, food can't explain everything! Don't forget alt hypoths. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
Food Availability Cannot Explain Dispersal and Settlement Decisions of a Grassland Bird
We test a commonly assumed explanation for animal movements—namely that food availability shapes where animals disperse to. Based on the results of four strong predictions, 3 years of data, and hundr...
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Alice Boyle @birdfiddler.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
Serious FOMO not being at #AOS2026 but great to see former mentees meeting up with current grads and making connections through shared love of #manakins!
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Cheryl in Nova Scotia 🇨🇦🍁🍁 @minibubbly.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
Credit to the Weather Network Trumpeter Swans - Burlington #Ontario this lovely lady Beverley Kingdon is credited as one of the people for saving this species of Swans in North America #Canada #MotherSwan
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Alice Boyle @birdfiddler.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
So this showed up today
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Alice Boyle @birdfiddler.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
I found more Ontario #grassland today complete with #GrasshopperSparrows Unfortunately, I don’t know who owns it yet. I also found a U-Pick blueberry farm. All in all, 10/10 kind of day
Beautiful grassy field, some flowering for a, a couple of distant trees… mostly fantastically empty Blueberry bush laden with fruit A basket containing 4 litres of fresh blueberries on my counter top
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Alice Boyle @birdfiddler.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
Ours is also very fenced… who knows what gets it
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Alice Boyle @birdfiddler.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
Ha! All the critters eat mine to the nubs
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Alice Boyle @birdfiddler.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
share.google/CwsqZv5JCQR0...
share.google
Meet the Canadian civil servant responsible for sending our wildfire smoke to the U.S.
With wildfire smoke drifting down from Canada into Michigan, New York and other states, numerous Americans have once again taken to social media to complain about Canada ruining their summers and “sen...
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Johnnie Jae @johnniejae.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
For anyone asking how to help: Donate to True North Aid to assist Remote Indigenous Wildfire Evacuees - truenorthaid.ca/donate/ & Namaygoosisagagun First Nation Response: Donations an7gc.ca/donate/
truenorthaid.ca
Donate - True North Aid | Canadian Charity Supporting Indigenous Communities
Donate to True North Aid's general fund and support Indigenous-led and community initiatves in remote communities.
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Alice Boyle @birdfiddler.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
yeah, they didn't care about changing rainfall either. Also, smoke is choking *North American* cities which very much includes Canada! :-)
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Alice Boyle @birdfiddler.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
#Organismal biology #post-docs... here is a sweet looking job in Oregon! you should apply! oregonstate.wd501.myworkdayjobs.com/OSU_Careers_...
oregonstate.wd501.myworkdayjobs.com
Assistant Professor
Department: Special Instructions to Applicants: To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 10/1/26. Applications will continue to be accepted after the full consideration date, unt...
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Alice Boyle @birdfiddler.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
People don’t see grassland… they see a place to put something of their own.
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Alice Boyle @birdfiddler.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Lake Huron shore
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Alice Boyle @birdfiddler.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
That is pretty much exactly what I harvested yesterday!
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Alice Boyle @birdfiddler.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
For me, hanging out on the shores of Lake Huron is the definition of summer. Spent my childhood at my grandmother’s cottage and although this is a different part of the lake, the vibes are identical. Bliss.
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Alice Boyle @birdfiddler.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
If you want graphical evidence that #cattle prefer recently-burned areas, here you go! 1 week of foraging locations from pre-treatment yr ( #VirtualFence ); collars recorded locations, but cattle went where they liked. Purple = burned that yr, yellow = not burned. #Tallgrass #prairie #VF
Map with many red dots (= cattle locations) closely matching purple shading and avoiding yellow and orange areas (burned 1-2 yr previous).
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Alice Boyle @birdfiddler.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Hey! Check out this great NYT article featuring CAM researcher Carrie Branch! Chickadees are so smart… share.google/SdSN6eE9dojs...
share.google
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Alice Boyle @birdfiddler.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
Ontario #GrasshopperSparrows are weird… saw 2 singing from TREES yesterday, & apparently are totally fine with huge military telecommunications structures. So looking forward to understanding what makes them tick.
GRSP habitat in Prince Edward Co, Ontario; regrowing grassland 15 years since restoration began GRSP habitat in Prince Edward Co, Ontario; grassland in field with many massive military commutation towers
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Alice Boyle @birdfiddler.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
Adventures in attempting to capture Whip-poor-wills (with @animalsonthemove.bsky.social grad student Ingrid). We caught a lot of mosquitoes but no birds, sadly
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Alice Boyle @birdfiddler.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
I don’t know! People haven’t really done that much nesting biology here. Hard to imagine the chicks growing any faster than in Kansas though
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Alice Boyle @birdfiddler.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
The #grasslands in #Ontario are small and scattered and really different from the Great Plains… and also incredibly beautiful! Grasshopper Sparrows, upland Sandpipers, Eastern Meadowlarks & other hanging on in #CardenAlvar
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Alice Boyle @birdfiddler.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
🇨🇦 Happy Canada Day to all who celebrate! 🇨🇦 Thankful to be celebrating on this side of the border this year!
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