Ever wonder who's singing in your neighbourhood park at dawn, or what's flitting overhead after dark? The Edmonton Valley Zoo's Spilling the Beans series turns its attention to the birds, bats and other wildlife that share our city on Thursday, October 1.

The presentation looks at how acoustic recorders placed in Edmonton's parks are helping researchers track local wildlife, and how noise and light pollution affect the animals living alongside us. You'll hear about everything from birdsong to nighttime bat activity, plus some of the more surprising detections so far.

It's also a look at how researchers, local organizations and community members are working together to understand and support urban biodiversity. It's a great pick for nature-curious kids and the grown-ups who keep answering their "what bird is that?" question.