BIRD HUGGER

Join us for some good cheer on the BIRD HUGGER Holiday Special! Author Marta McDowell is our guest as we discuss her book about The Secret Garden, the delightful children's tale written by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Happy Holidays to all! For more info on Unearthing The Secret Garden: The Plants and Places That Inspired Frances Hodgson Burnett by Marta McDowell, go to workman.com. Join Catherine Gre...

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

Did you know the Nighthawk is not a hawk and is not a nocturnal bird? Confusing, right? In today's episode we have Phil Brown from the Harris Center for Conservation Education to explain the biology and behavior of this elusive and mysterious bird. We will also talk about the Harris Center's brand new Nighthawk Monitoring program. For more information on Project Nighthawk go to https://tinyurl.com...

In today's episode, we talk with Derek Gow, author of the brand-new book, Birds, Beasts and Bedlam: Turning My Farm Into An Ark For Lost Species. Derek is a farmer turned revolutionary rewilder and he tells us about his adventures, sometimes controversial, of re-establishing wildlife species, like the White Stork, in England. For more information on this book and his other book: Bringing Back The...

Spooky! Scary! Happy Halloween! Pull up a chair in front of the fire and grab a cup of hot cider. We've got a frighteningly good show for you, including a few tales that may send shivers up your spine! Hear the legend of Crom Dubh. Also click on this link to hear the sad and creepy call of the Ghost Bird or Common Potoo: https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/491293971. Join Catherine Greenleaf, a cert...

In today's episode, we talk with Dr. Rebecca McCabe, an avian biologist from Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Pennsylvania, about the migration of the Broad-Winged Hawk. Dr. McCabe works with Dr. Laurie Goodrich, the founder of the Broad-Winged Hawk Project. We will also get an update on Hugger, the hawk we are sponsoring with a location transmitter for their research. For more info go to hawkmountain.o...

In today's episode, we speak with avian biologist Danielle D'Auria, who works at the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife for the State of Maine. Danielle will tell us all about the Heron Observation Network of Maine and what information she is discovering that will help protect Great Blue herons and their rookeries. To help the state of Maine protect birds, please go to www.maine.gov/ifw/f...

In today's episode, we talk about the long, slow death of the American lawn and how more and more Americans are embracing the planting of natives in their front yards. We also discuss how to spot trouble in your garden caused by erratic weather due to climate change -- and what you can do about it. Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 years of experience rescuing an...

In today's episode, we speak with Brad Lancaster, award-winning author of the book, Rainwater Harvesting. With drought affecting many regions of the U.S., Brad offers multiple ways to harvest and use rainwater to water your gardens, keep trees healthy and birds happy (www.harvestingrainwater.com). Also check out his other website (neighborhoodforesters.org). Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified w...

In today's episode, we talk with Matthew Shepherd from the Xerces Society about the organization's wonderful book, 100 Plants To Feed The Bees: Provide A Healthy Habitat To Help Bees Thrive. Plants discussed on this show: Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis); False Indigo or Lead Plant (Amorpha); Steeplebush or Meadowsweet (Spirea); and Rattlesnake Master (Eryngium). Go to the Bee Safe Nursery P...

In today's episode, we talk with avian biologist Tiffany Grade from the Loon Preservation Committee about the mysterious deaths of loons on Squam Lake in New Hampshire and what may be causing them. To learn more about the Loon Preservation Committee in Moultonborough, New Hampshire go to loon.org. For further information about fish consumption limits on Squam Lake go to: https://www4.des.state.nh....

In today's episode, we talk with Anna Fialkoff, Ecological Programs Manager at Wild Seed Project.org. Anna has co-authored a guide with founder Heather McCargo called Native Groundcovers For Northeast Landscapes and it is chockful of useful information about native groundcovers, especially for coverage in problem areas in the garden. Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator wit...

In today's episode, we discuss bird shamanism and bird divination and the mystical and spiritual connection all of us can develop with birds with Evan Pritchard, a Native American elder and author of the very popular book, Bird Medicine. This show is dedicated to my beloved mother-in-law, Connie Greenleaf, who passed in November. A true bird enthusiast, she loved Evan Pritchard's workshops and att...

In today's episode, we discuss how to safely help turtles cross the roads during egg-laying season with turtle expert Pam Meier. Pam has been rescuing and rehabilitating injured wild turtles for over 20 years and runs a rehabilitation center called The Turtle's Back in Madison, Connecticut (www.theturtlesback.org). Please remember that Snapping turtles can snap! First rule: Be safe! There is no ne...

Where do most birds nest? In trees, of course! Spring brings the lovely sound of chirping birds but it can also bring the loud whir of chainsaws. In today's episode, we discuss how to negotiate with utility companies that appear overly aggressive in their tree removal and trimming practices with Diane Hoffman of Hamden Alliance For Trees (HAT), an organization in Connecticut that has been very suc...

In today's episode, we discuss how to handle the territorial aggression of songbirds around your home. We also get the latest updates on the avian flu situation from New Hampshire State Veterinarian Dr. Stephen Crawford and Daniel Bergeron, Chief of the Wildlife Division at the New Hampshire Fish & Game Department. To report sick or dead wild birds in New Hampshire call New Hampshire Fish & Game D...

Today, we speak with Vicki Hird, author of the marvelous new book, Rebugging The Planet. We talk about the things all of us can do to stop the decline of insects, the most important food source for birds. We also talk about the new buzz phrase "soft landing" and what it means. In addition, we discuss how to tell when a bird needs rescuing and how to help a bird that is trapped inside a building. V...

In today's episode, we are joined by the Penguin Lady, Dyan deNapoli. Dyan is a world-renowned penguin expert, TED and National Geographic speaker, and award-winning author. We talk about her delightful new children's book, All About Penguins. On today's show we also discuss how to safely feed fruits to birds and the benefits of the native shrub, Serviceberry, to birds and pollinators. Join Cather...

Spring migration has begun and we have highly-renowned ornithologist Dr. Daniel Klem, Jr. with us to talk about his brand-new book on preventing bird window strikes, Solid Air -- Invisible Killer: Saving Billions Of Birds From Windows. He tells us about his top three deterrents for preventing bird window strikes. His book can be ordered at tinyurl.com/56r49w93 or go to: danielklemjr.org. Did you k...

In today's episode, we talk about the inestimable value of milkweed. Milkweed nectar sustains not just Monarchs, but many species of pollinating insects. The struggle of Monarchs to survive depends on the survival of milkweed and foretells the future for many, if not all, pollinating insects. Scientists claim 1.8 billion milkweed plants must be planted in the U.S. in order to stabilize pollinating...

In today's episode, we speak with Brett Thelen from the Harris Center for Conservation Education in Hancock, New Hampshire. Brett is the Harris Center's Science Director and the team leader for Big Nights, in which groups of volunteers go out into the streets on rainy evenings to scoop up salamanders and frogs and carry them to the other side of the road. Salamanders are an important food source f...

In today's episode, we speak with Dr. Laurie Goodrich from Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Pennsylvania about her research into the behavior and biology of the Broadwing Hawk. We also discuss our role in her research this year. (hawkmountain.org) Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured wildlife, for twice-monthly discu...

Asian Jumping Worms go after the roots of native plants and the leaf litter in forests, altering soil composition and directly impacting the survival of birds. In today's episode, we speak with Dr. Gale Ridge from the State of Connecticut's Agricultural Experiment Station about all of the latest information available on Asian Jumping Worms and what can be done about them. (Fact Sheet on Asian Jump...

In today's episode, we talk to Becky Brewer from Prairie Moon Nursery in Minnesota about the many benefits of bare-root natives and how to plant them. (prairiemoon.com) Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured wildlife, for twice-monthly discussions about restoring native habitat and helping the birds in your backy...

In today's episode, we speak with Catherine Quayle from Wild Bird Fund, the only emergency rescue and rehabilitation center for injured birds in New York City. Hear about Wild Bird Fund's new campaign to prevent mass bird collisions with glass windows, particularly in Lower Manhattan. (wildbirdfund.org); (Bird Migration Forecasts In Real Time: birdcast.info); (American Bird Conservancy's Window Re...