BIRD HUGGER

Today we talk with Uli Lorimer, author of the new book, The Northeast Native Plant Primer: 235 Plants for an Earth-Friendly Garden. Uli is the horticulture director at the Native Plant Trust. We talk about why natives are so important for birds and other wildlife. He will also walk us through the various successions of plants that occur once you turn your lawn into a meadow as well as some recomme...

Is the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker really extinct? In today's episode, we talk with John Mittermeier, the director of the Lost Birds Program at the American Bird Conservancy. John travels the world seeking to confirm the existence or extinction of rare bird species. For more info go to searchforlostbirds.org or go to abcbirds.org. Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 ye...

Today our guest is Sea McKeon, the Marine Program Director with the American Bird Conservancy. Sea is a biodiversity scientist, an evolutionary ecologist, a marine biologist, and a natural historian. In this episode, he tells us about the incredible value of seabird poop! Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured bi...

In today's episode, we talk with Nancy Farwell, avid native gardener and marketing and advertising sales coordinator for Northern Woodlands magazine. Nancy approached the director of Northern Woodlands about creating a native garden in the front yard of the magazine's headquarters. We talk about the process of converting a workplace lawn to a native garden; the challenges that came up; as well as...

Today we speak with Basil Camu, author of the wonderful new book, From Wasteland To Wonder: Easy Ways We Can Help Heal Earth In The Sub/Urban Landscape. According to Basil, the way we currently landscape our urban and suburban landscapes is harming natural ecosystems. His book shows us easy techniques for bringing the beauty and functionality of nature back to our yards. For more information on hi...

In today's episode, we talk with Dr. Laurie Goodrich from Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Pennsylvania about the latest findings of her satellite telemetry research into the Broad-Winged Hawk. Also included: An exciting update on HUGGER, the Broad-Winged Hawk we are sponsoring! Dr. Goodrich launched the collaborative Pennsylvania Farmland Raptor and The Broad-winged Hawk research projects, and globally...

Today we speak with evolutionary biologist Joan Strassmann from St. Louis, Missouri about her brand-new book, The Slow Birding Journal. She explains why there's no need to fly to Panama to watch birds. You can enjoy bird watching in your own backyard by following some fun and easy-to-learn techniques. See The Backyard Bird Chronicles by Amy Tan at https://tinyurl.com/cnfnyhyf. See Indigo Bunting a...

ENCORE PRESENTATION: In today's episode, we talk with Becky Brewer from Prairie Moon Nursery in Minnesota about the many benefits of bare-root natives and how to plant them. Are you tired of finding Asian Jumping Worms in your soil? Tired of dealing with how to recycle plastic plant pots that can't be recycled? Bare-root plantings is the way to go! For more information go to: prairiemoon.com. Join...

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to rescue and rehabilitate injured wildlife? Today we have as our guest Kai Williams, executive director of the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council, an organization serving wildlife rehabilitators worldwide with educational training and networking. For more information, go to www.theiwrc.org. Or call 1-866-871-1869. Contact Kai at kai@theiwrc....

Today our guest is Hannah Evans from Population Connection, a non-profit organization that promotes awareness about the impact of human population numbers on climate change and the Earth's resources. Hannah works to cultivate partnerships between Population Connection and international NGOs. Before joining Population Connection’s staff, Hannah worked as an adjunct professor of Women’s Studies and...

Today our guest is Dr. Arline Bronzaft, an environmental psychologist from Quiet Communities who specializes in the effects of sound on animals like birds and people. She tells us about ways to make your yard a quiet oasis for birds and other critters. For more information, go to www.quietcommunities.org. Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 years of experience resc...

Today we have as our guest Megan Stolen, a forensic wildlife scientist from Blue World Research Institute in Florida. Megan was recently called in to evaluate a rash of unusual and suspicious pelican injuries and deaths in Brevard County. The case led to an investigation by state authorities. To make donations to the Florida Wildlife Hospital of Palm Shores, Florida please go to https://floridawil...

ENCORE PRESENTATION: In today's episode, we speak with award-winning author Dr. Doug Tallamy about his new book The Nature of Oaks: The Rich Ecology Of Our Most Essential Native Trees. The native Oak tree is a keystone species and provides sustenance for hundreds of species of birds, butterflies and other creatures. Hear Doug explain the best way to plant an oak tree. For more information on Dr. T...

Today our guest is Judith Schwartz, award-winning author of the incredible book, Water In Plain Sight: Hope For A Thirsty World. Judith explains to us how trapping, slowing down and absorbing water on your property contributes to healthy small-water systems and helps decrease out-of-control flood and drought cycles in your region. To read more about Judith and her book go to https://www.judithdsch...

Today's guest is Dave Crawford, creator of the marvelous new pet rescue app phar.org, as well as the wildlife rescue app animalhelpnow.org. Dave also tells us about the devastating wildfire that destroyed his home and his neighborhood during the Marshall Fire of 2021 and how he is rebuilding his lfe. Go to phar.org and/or animalhelpnow.org. For info on the book, Filling The Ark by Dr. Leslie Irvin...

Today our guest is Gina Kent, senior scientist with the Avian Research and Conservation Institute out of Gainesville, Florida. Gina tells us all about the Swallow-Tailed Kite. For more info on the Avian Research and Conservation Institute, go to ARCInst.org. For the ARCI Eyes On Kite program, go to: https://www.arcinst.org/eyes-on-kites. For more info on the Swallow-Tailed Kite go to https://www.a...

Today we are joined by Catherine Quayle of the Wild Bird Fund, Christine Sheppard from the American Bird Conservancy and New York State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal to discuss the phenomenon that was Flaco the Owl. We discuss this bird's celebrity status and how Flaco's death could have been prevented. State Senator Hoylman-Signal offers legislative solutions to glass windows, which kill one billion...

Today's guest is Phil Brown, Bird Conservation Director with the Harris Center for Conservation Education in Hancock, New Hampshire. Phil tells us all about a new program the Harris Center is spearheading to help boost Kestrel numbers in New Hampshire. For more information go to: harriscenter.org. For more information on the American Kestrel Partnership go to: https://kestrel.peregrinefund.org. Fo...

Today's guest is Tuscon, Arizona resident, gardener and photographer Martha Retallick. Martha has written a wonderful new book called City Nature. In the book she chronicles how she tackled the challenge of harvesting rainwater for her house and gardens -- and created an oasis for birds. For more info, go to her website at: westernskycommunications.com. Go to Texas Metal Tanks at: texasmetaltanks....

Today we speak with avian rehabilitator Stephanie Ellis about her experiences hatching, raising and renesting orphaned Osprey chicks. Stephanie is the Executive Director of WildCare in Eastham, Massachusetts on Cape Cod. For more information, go to wildlifecarecapecod.org. Send your donations to: Wild Care Cape Cod, 10 Smith Lane, Eastham, MA 02642. Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife r...

Today we speak with Hardy Kern from the American Bird Conservancy about the latest scientific findings (2023) regarding insecticides, like neonicotinoids, and their impacts on birds. We also talk about what you can do to protect birds from deadly insecticides. For more information, go to: abcbirds.org/2023neonicsreport. For more information on imidacloprid go to: http://tinyurl.com/43vtuu4w. For m...

In today's episode, we speak with renowned ecological landscape designer and gardening consultant Kathy Connolly about the best way to prepare your site and soil for a native garden. Plants mentioned in the show: Carolina Rhodedendron; low-growing Juniper; Northern Sea Oats; Big Bluestem; Little Bluestem; Switchgrass; Prairie Dropseed. Go to: The Magical World of Moss Gardens by Annie Martin at: h...

Daniel Wilson joins us today from Tri-State Bird Rescue in Delaware to discuss the amazing process of rescuing and rehabilitating birds contaminated by oil spills. For more information go to www.tristatebird.org. Go to GOWRS or Global Oiled Wildlife Response Service at http://tinyurl.com/yfxjkr22. Go to Sea Alarm at https://www.sea-alarm.org/category/gowrs/. Go to Coast Guard National Response Cen...

Wishing you the happiest of holidays! In our final episode of the year, we invite you to join us for some festive cheer as we speak with legendary organic gardener and author Maria Rodale about her new book, Love, Nature, Magic: Shamanic Journeys Into The Heart Of My Garden. In her book Maria chronicles the shamanic journeys she undertakes to communicate with plants, animals and insects. She says...

Today we speak with Dorian Anderson, author of the new book, Birding Under the Influence: Cycling Across America in Search of Birds and Recovery. Dorian tells us about the rare birds he sighted as he pedaled thousands of miles across the U.S. -- and how he found himself and his sobriety along the way. Go to Warm Showers at: https://www.warmshowers.org/. Sage Grouse lekking behavior at: https://www...