Listening in on Arctic songbirds -- and mosquitoes

Scientists from Columbia University are eavesdropping on Arctic birds, the New York Times blog Scientist at Work reports. There are lots of lovely birds in Alaska right now, with summer migration and breeding in full swing. The Times takes an in-depth look at songbirds, which communicate in one of two ways: with song and with calls. "Songs are longer, more complex, are generally related to courtship and territorial aggression, and for the most part, are sung by males," says blogging scientist Natalie Boelman, who's been recording songbirds with a contraption called the "bioacoustic recording network" since May. The units are spread across the Arctic tundra and powered by solar energy, turning off automatically at scheduled intervals. And they're recording more than just songs. Boelman reports picking up Arctic rainstorms, bumblebees and -- surprise -- even mosquitoes. Read more.