BIRD HUGGER

Would you know what to do if you got lost in the woods while birdwatching or hiking? Today we speak with Cathy Tarr, founder and executive director of the Fowler-O'Sullivan Foundation, an organization dedicated to helping families find loved ones who have gone missing in the wild. Cathy gives some very good advice on how NOT to get lost, along with tips for survival in case you do. For more inform...

Flamingos in Wisconsin? Yes! In late August, Hurricane Idalia pushed dozens of Pink Flamingos northward, with some landing in Virginia and even Wisconsin! Today we speak with Threatened Species specialist Dan Lebbin from the American Bird Conservancy about how the Flamingos are doing and how things may go once the freezing cold weather arrives. For more information on the American Bird Conservancy...

Hugger, the Broad-Winged Hawk we are sponsoring with a tracking transmitter through Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, is migrating south and in the lead! Today we talk with Rebecca McCabe, a Broad-Winged Hawk biologist, about Hugger's flight south for the winter. As of this interview, Hugger has already flown over Chiapas, Mexico and seems headed to Guatemala for a second year in a row! For more on the Ver...

Today we speak with Emily Baisden, Seed Manager at Wild Seed Project. She tells us all about the best native shrubs to grow to benefit birds and pollinators. You can order Wild Seed Project's new booklet, Native Shrubs For Northeast Landscapes by going to https://wildseedproject.net/. Native shrubs mentioned in this episode: Buttonbush; Winterberry; Highbush Blueberry; Bayberry; Sumac; Hazelnut; S...

On today's show we talk about the importance of leaving your garden alone come the fall. Fall is also a good time to check for Asian Jumping worms. We also discuss the new buzz phrase: forest blocks. What are they and why is it so important to protect them? Finally, we speak with state representative Greg Hill (Merrimack County/Northfield, NH) about an important bill he is trying to pass to protec...

Fall migration time is here. Unfortunately, millions of songbirds die during migration each year flying into glass windows. Today we have as our guest Dr. Daniel Klem, Jr., noted ornithologist from Muhlenberg College and the author of an important book on how to prevent bird collisions with glass. To order his book, go to: https://www.danielklemjr.org/. Go to: https://www.freeportwildbirdsupply.co...

Today we speak with Marie Chieppo, award-winning horticulturalist and operator of the native plant consulting business, EcoPlantPlans.com, headquartered in Sagamore Beach, Massachsuetts. Marie spoke at the Cultivate 23 conference and will be telling us all about the latest innovations regarding the manufacturing of sustainable pots in the horticultural industry. Go to her websites at: https://ecop...

She's back! Heather McCargo, founder of Wild Seed Project in Portland, Maine, is back on BIRD HUGGER to answer your most pressing questions about growing native plants, shrubs and trees. On today's show, we discuss what natives to grow in shady areas. Go to Wild Seed Project at: https://wildseedproject.net/. Go to Native Seed Center at Turkey Hill Farm in Cape Elizabeth, Maine at: https://tinyurl....

Today we speak with Dave Goulson, a biologist specializing in the ecology of bees and one of the world's greatest experts on the bumblebee. We talk about his new book, Silent Earth, and how each of us can help prevent a worldwide insect apocalypse. Books by Dave Goulson: Silent Earth: Averting The Insect Apocalypse; The Garden Jungle; A Sting In The Tale; A Buzz In The Meadow; Gardening For Bumble...

Today we speak with ornithologist Rebecca Heisman, author of the fascinating new book, Flight Paths. We discuss the theories ancient scientists held about bird migration and how modern-day scientists track bird flight today. Go to Merlin Bird App at: tps://tinyurl.com/5368xypj. Go to ebird app at: ebird.org. Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 years of experience r...

Today we speak with Lynne Parshall, avid native gardener and the project manager of the Utility Club in the town of Lyme in the Upper Valley region of New Hampshire. She tells us about the joys and challenges of organizing and creating a community pollinator garden for the town. Go to Pollinator Pathways at: https://www.pollinator-pathway.org. How to create a community pollinator garden at: https:...

IT'S NATIONAL POLLINATOR WEEK! AND WE'VE GOT A SPECIAL SHOW TO CELEBRATE. Today we talk with pollinator ecologist Alicia Houk of Thetford, Vermont. Alicia is founder and director of Wild Garden Alliance in Thetford, Vermont, an organization dedicated to reversing wildlife declines by planting natives. She believes native plants should be affordable to all Americans. In today's show, Alicia explain...

On today's show, we speak with Marge Gibson, founder and executive director of Raptor Education Group Inc. (REGI) in Antigo, Wisconsin, a rescue and rehabilitation facility that treats over 1,000 injured wild birds each year. We will talk about the recent loon fallout in Wisconsin, in which dozens of loons dropped out of the sky when an ice event caused their wings to freeze. Is this event some ty...

Today we hear about the wonderful organization Grow Native Massachusetts and their gigantic native plant sale on June 2nd and 3rd! Executive Director Heather Pruiksma also tells us all about the educational opportunities the organization is offering to the public. Website: grownativemass.org. Info on Gray Birch at https://tinyurl.com/3kje9vfc. Info on Chokecherry at https://tinyurl.com/2apvjm54. F...

Did you know seagulls evolved a loud and raucous cry so they could be heard over the crash of waves and surf? Or that grassland songbirds evolved a buzzing and trilling call so they could be heard through the turbulence and wind shear of the open prairie? Today, we speak with award-winning biologist David George Haskell, author of the critically acclaimed book, Sounds Wild And Broken, about the ev...

Hugger is on her way back north! On today's show we get the long-awaited news on Hugger's northward migration. We are joined by Broad-Winged Hawk expert Dr. Laurie Goodrich from Hawk Mountain Sanctuary for all of the details. We will also discuss how to help injured birds and talk about some new native plant sources in New England. Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with...

Your average American moves to a new home 4-5 times over the course of a lifetime. So what happens if you have native plants you want to take with you to your new home? Today, we speak with horticulturalist and native design expert Marie Chieppo about how to safely remove and relocate native plants. Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 years of experience rescuing a...

Each year the Florida Keys Hawk Watch bird counters stand on the observation deck at the campground at Curry Hammock State Park (Marathon) in the Florida Keys to count the number of migrating raptors. We speak with counter Mariah Hryniewich about what those numbers are telling us. Florida Keys Hawk Watch at https://floridakeyshawkwatch.com; Avian Research and Conservation Institute at https://www....

The Florida Everglades was once six million acres of pristine wilderness. Today, it has been literally cut in half to three million acres and has been logged, burned, drained, developed and sequestered into sloughs and canals -- all of which are having monumental impacts on the birds and other wildlife that call the Everglades their home. We speak with two special guests today, Keely Weyker and Ce...

Today we have an exclusive interview with Nadeem Shehzad, one of the two brothers featured in the captivating Academy Award-nominated documentary, All That Breathes. This touching film shows the work of two young men attempting to help injured wild birds in New Delhi, India, particularly the Black Kite. As Nadeem says in the interview, "the animals are just trying to live their lives" despite toxi...

Did you know there is an International Osprey Foundation headquartered on Sanibel Island in Florida? Today, we speak with Kathryn Brintnall, president of the foundation, about ongoing efforts to protect the Osprey. We also discuss the effects of Hurricane Ian on Osprey populations. Go to the International Osprey Foundation at www.ospreys.com; go to the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF...

Did you know the Florida Scrub Jay is a hoarder? A hoarder of acorns from the Scrub Oak tree, that is! On today's show, we talk with Jacqui Sulek, an expert with Florida Audubon on the endemic Florida Scrub Jay. We talk about the challenges facing this extremely intelligent bird and its endangered habitat. For more information, go to: Florida Scrub Jay at https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/fl...

Did you know Burrowing Owls raise their young in underground tunnels? In today's episode, we talk about the fascinating Burrowing Owl with Brittany Piersma, a field biologist with the Audubon of the Western Everglades. Brittany is conducting important research of the Burrowing Owl on Marco Island in Florida. She also helps to run the Owl Watch Program, Seabird Stewardship Program and the Gopher To...

Did you know 1,000 people move to Florida every single day? Join us for a talk with Ginny Stibolt, author of the wonderful new book, Adventures Of A Transplanted Gardener, as she tells us all about the delights and challenges of native gardening for birds and butterflies in the Sunshine State. This book is essential if you are planning to retire in Florida or if you are a Snowbird with a winter ho...

Join us for the BIRD HUGGER Year-End Wrap Up! We are also speaking with Kim Eierman, author of the fantastic new book, The Pollinator Victory Garden. Find out more about Kim at her website: www.ecobeneficial.com. HAPPY NEW YEAR! Some larval host plants for moths: native black cherry tree; willows (including pussy willow); raspberries; carolina rose; and spirea. Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certifie...