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Songbirding

Songbirding

Immerse yourself in the elsewhere. Guided by award-winning naturalist and field recordist Rob Porter, the Songbirding podcast is an audio nature documentary that takes you on guided hikes while you learn the songs of dozens of North American songbird species. Entirely recorded in the field, and equally ideal for learning or relaxing to. You really won't hear any other podcast quite like this (and if you do, we'd really like to hear about it!). Songbirding has been four-time nominated as Best Science Podcast for the Canadian Podcast Awards. You can start with any episode in any season. Season 1: Bruce Peninsula, Ontario; 2-3: Southern Ontario; 4: Mid-western & Southern Ontario; 5: Johnston Harbour, Ontario; 6: Allegheny National Forest, Pennsylvania; 7: Kananaskis Country, Alberta. For those with high-frequency hearing loss, please search for "Songbirding Under 5kHz". Credits Recorded, engineered, narrated and created by Rob Porter. Cover art by Lauren Helton - https://tinylongwing.carbonmade.com/ About the Host Rob is a software engineer and naturalist in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. He is the winner of the 2025 Betty Blashill Environmental Prize, and started the Songbirding podcast in 2019. He is also currently the Bird Studies Group Director of the Hamilton Naturalists' Club. Support Support the show at https://songbirding.com/support
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Latest Episodes

Fullerton Loop Trail, Part 1
#29 of Songbirding

Fullerton Loop Trail, Part 1

The Fullerton Loop Trail is a half-day hike that gives expansive views over the Elbow Valley in Kananaskis Country. During my trip in early June of 2025, it was full of birdsong, even though the climate felt like winter was still holding on a slight bit. For the next six episodes we’ll be exploring this trail, hearing from an extensive number of species as we pass through open meadows, steep ravines, and dense alpine forest. Credits Songbirding: Kananaskis Country is a Songbirding Studios production. Recorded, engineered, narrated and created by Rob Porter. The Songbirding cover art (Townsend's Warbler) is by Lauren Helton: https://tinylongwing.carbonmade.com/projects/5344062 Creative Commons music is from Bluedot Sessions. Learn how to support the show at https://songbirding.com/support
Species in Focus: Varied Thrush
#28 of Songbirding

Species in Focus: Varied Thrush

The Varied Thrush is a striking species to look at, and a haunting one to hear. The male’s mix of dark colours mixed with orange gradients make them look dressed for Halloween. Their song sounds something between a haunted flute and a referee whistle, and stands out to me as one of the more unique songs of North American species. For this species in focus episode, I’ll be sharing recordings from the Fullerton Trail in 2025, Sheep River and the Rae Glacier in 2026. Credits Songbirding: Kananaskis Country is a Songbirding Studios production. Recorded, engineered, narrated and created by Rob Porter. The Songbirding cover art (Townsend's Warbler) is by Lauren Helton: https://tinylongwing.carbonmade.com/projects/5344062 Creative Commons music is from Bluedot Sessions. Learn how to support the show at https://songbirding.com/support
Species in Focus: Townsend's Solitaire
#27 of Songbirding

Species in Focus: Townsend's Solitaire

The Townsend’s Solitaire can be a very, very long winded bird. It may have the longest continuous song I’ve ever recorded. To me this bird has always looked like someone had taken a Northern Mockingbird and made it thrush-shaped. It is a mostly-grey thrush with dark wings that can have a small flare of tan colour to them. Its song can sound very finch-like, with a mix of warbles and abrupt changes in pitch. At times, this bird will also sing while flying over its territory. For this species in focus episode, I’ll be sharing recordings from the Fullerton Trail in 2025, and Gorge Creek Trail in 2026, as well as a brief we’ve heard already from Jumpingpound Demonstration forest in 2025. Credits Songbirding: Kananaskis Country is a Songbirding Studios production. Recorded, engineered, narrated and created by Rob Porter. The Songbirding cover art (Townsend's Warbler) is by Lauren Helton: https://tinylongwing.carbonmade.com/projects/5344062 Creative Commons music is from Bluedot Sessions. Learn how to support the show at https://songbirding.com/support
Barrier Lake, Part 2
#26 of Songbirding

Barrier Lake, Part 2

I’m at the top of Prairie View, a broad vista overlooking Barrier Lake. It’s been a long hike up and I’ll be headed back down soon, stopping wherever I hear birdsong. Credits Songbirding: Kananaskis Country is a Songbirding Studios production. Recorded, engineered, narrated and created by Rob Porter. The Songbirding cover art (Townsend's Warbler) is by Lauren Helton: https://tinylongwing.carbonmade.com/projects/5344062 Creative Commons music is from Bluedot Sessions. Learn how to support the show at https://songbirding.com/support
Barrier Lake, Part 1
#25 of Songbirding

Barrier Lake, Part 1

Barrier Lake is one of the most visually stunning locations in Kananakis Country.  It is a large, sea-blue lake in a valley surrounded by hills and mountains. For this two-part hike I’ll be climbing to Prairie View, a vista that overlooks Barrier Lake and its valley. Credits Songbirding: Kananaskis Country is a Songbirding Studios production. Recorded, engineered, narrated and created by Rob Porter. The Songbirding cover art (Townsend's Warbler) is by Lauren Helton: https://tinylongwing.carbonmade.com/projects/5344062 Creative Commons music is from Bluedot Sessions. Learn how to support the show at https://songbirding.com/support

Hosts

Rob Porter

Rob Porter

Host of Songbirding