Alice Boyle

this is super cool! The pink katydid all by itself would be one thing, but the gradual shift to green? amazing

Finally, my hooman remembered that it is #Caturday

@aircanada.bsky.social , when are you going to follow suit (www.nytimes.com/2026/03/02/t...) and clarify/improve your instrument policies (TRAIN CHECK-IN STAFF!) re instruments? EXACT same thing happened to me, AC Wpg-Toronto. It is totally unacceptable. I have lodged a complaint & not heard back.

I can't bring myself to "like" this post. Beyond wrong and soul-crushing

great science and story-telling, Ben! thanks

New Western research reveals how rainfall shapes bird populations New study shows rainfall patterns play a powerful role in shaping bird populations and which species are most vulnerable as precipitation becomes more erratic.

@westernu.ca did a write up on our new paper! Forgive me for being proud of this contribution. ☺️
news.westernu.ca/2026/03/rain...

#ornithology #birds #meta-analysis #rain

Changing rain under climate change is relatively neglected axis of modern world... this study highlights one of the reasons it is worth paying attention to. Also, 1 of first tests of hygric niche concepts that form much of my current research program. Final kudos to Katy! She is a rockstar!
7/7

Surprisingly, none of the species- or habitat covariates explained variation in dataset! although indirect effects mediated longer-term rainfall responses, those likely operate via many different mechanisms, no consistent signal of diet, life history, habitat.
6/n

Also predicted that direct costs would be mediated by interaction with temp, predicting divergent responses with latitude & elevation--also true. Temperate high-elevation birds have hardest time under rainy conditions.
5/n

We predicted different responses with rain timing: higher costs of rain when it fell during nesting attempts, benefits of rain when it fell prior to nesting, aggregated over longer times. That prediction was true: first key conclusion.
4/n

Earlier work (TREE 2020, 35(10):938-952) provided conceptual framework for hypoth testing. We aimed to determine how commonly rain was good or bad, and why? Mechanisms ranged from direct (mortality, destruction) to indirect (food, predators, veg).
3/n

How and why avian reproductive success varies in response to precipitation: A global meta-analysis | PNAS Precipitation influences animal physiology, behavior, and ecological interactions, therefore affecting demography. However, the nature and strength...

...and here is the link to the paper! A global meta-analysis of relationships between rain & bird reproductive success. We had lots of anecdotes (both positive & negative responses) but no synthesis.
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...

2/n

#NewPaperAlert! So incredibly proud of Katy Silber, former PhD student & post-doc for publishing ALL of the work she did in the lab. This last paper @pnas.org answers the question, how and why does rain matter to bird reproduction, *generally*? Here is the graphic summary... details below.
1/n

congratulations!

a graphical abstract--made the points simpler, clearer, fewer words

does anyone have a great photo of a nest (+bird?) in the RAIN?

Last day before reading week: "YAY! I'm half done the term!"
First day after reading week: "What??? I still have half a course to prepare and teach???"

WARNING MUSICIANS! @aircanada.bsky.social hates musicians! Despite a clear policy about being able to take instruments on board if there is room in overhead (there was), Mario at Wpg check-in gave me no choice. On jet bridge, I removed the violin from case & cradled it unprotected whole flight.

Skating on the Assiniboine River with my brother with MB legislature behind him

Snow sculpture on river ski path

Listening to music outside (musicians inside box!) at Festival du Voyageur

Indoor music tent at Festival du voyageur

Spent a week embracing the cold! Reading week in Wpg

Another day, another rejection. At least I don’t take it as hard as I used to

First day of reading week and it is sunny & several degrees above freezing! For the first time in months, I feel that winter might someday be over!

So sorry. If only teaching didn't involve the assessment part! I spent yesterday marking exams and reflected on why it sucks so bad; we feel responsible when people don't learn anything.

amigos en latinoamerica: por favor, difunden este anuncio entre sus estudiantes

EPA reverses long-standing climate change finding, stripping its own ability to regulate emissions The agency announced it is repealing its 2009 conclusion that greenhouse gases warm the Earth and endanger human health and well-being.

There are so many fucked up things with the current administration that it's hard to focus on one but this recent move is basically a death sentence for the planet. I've been involved with more boots on the ground actions over the years than I can count and this really bums me out.

You can't... repeal... a scientific finding. At that point it's just called lying about it.

Thanks for feeding my lazy curiosity! That is super cool!

so cool! but why become nocturnal if you are an ibis? (just read the write-up, not original paper... apologies if you already explained there)

RMR: Seven Day Forecast YouTube video by MercerReport

today if *finally* warmed up above freezing! I kept on thinking of one of my favourite Rick Mercer skits: "what are you going to do when its plus 1?"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkDv...

“I’m sorry you are dealing with xx. What is a reasonable time frame for you to complete xx?”

The pleasure was mine! Please send me some reading!