Backyard Ecology™

Summary In this episode, Ashley Kennedy and I discuss simple ways that anyone can help eastern bluebirds. Our discussion is based off her recently published research looking at the diets of nestling eastern bluebirds. You can find our discussion of her research and its results in episode 115.   3 things you'll learn from this episode Simple ways to support eastern bluebirds and make a difference w...

Summary In this episode, Ashley Kennedy and I discuss the results of her research on the diets of nestling eastern bluebirds. Ashley used GoPro cameras located on active bluebird nestboxes to take pictures of what eastern bluebirds were bringing back to the nest to feed their young. Over the course of several seasons, she obtained over 8,000 pictures which clearly showed food being brought back to...

Summary The general impression that many people have is that prior to European settlement the whole eastern U.S. was one giant old growth forest. But that wasn't the case. Using an interdisciplinary approach, researchers over the last several decades have discovered that the eastern U.S. was instead interspersed with a surprising number of diverse ecosystems – only one of which was old growth fore...

Summary When it comes to creating habitat, having a written set of goals can be extremely helpful in moving a task from the "I'll get to it someday" category to the "I'm actually going to get this done" category. But all too often, those goals end up being forgotten or abandoned, which can leave us feeling frustrated, overwhelmed, and defeated.  In this episode, I share how Anthony and I have expe...

Summary Late blooming native plants are crucial sources of pollen and nectar for pollinators. One of my favorite species that blooms in October, and often into early November, is Short's aster ( Symphyotrichum shortii ).  3 things you'll learn from this episode: The biology and life history of Short's aster. The pollinators and wildlife that use it. How to incorporate it into your garden. Resource...

Summary "Leave the leaves" has become an increasingly common mantra each fall. However, until recently little to no scientific research had been done to quantify impacts of leaving your leaves in a typical suburban yard. We discuss the results of that research and actionable steps that you can take in your own yard. Today's guest Dr. Max Ferlauto is the State Entomologist for the Maryland Natural...

Summary Black-eyed Susan ( Rudbeckia hirta ) is a beautiful native plant that can be found throughout most of the eastern U.S. and makes a great addition to pollinator and native plant gardens. It can grow in a variety of sunny to mostly sunny conditions and will provide instant gratification in the form of bright yellow flowers the first year. Those flowers will benefit a wide variety of butterfl...

Summary Paula Whyman shares her journey of trying to restore and manage a remnant prairie located on a Virginia mountaintop. Our conversation touches upon some of the challenges she faced, lessons she's learned, and exciting discoveries she's made along the way. Whether you're managing a small backyard or large acreage, Paula's story provides valuable insights and motivation for fostering pollinat...

Summary Hummingbirds are probably one of the most beloved groups of birds that people want to attract to their yards. In this episode, I share 10 of my favorite native plants for attracting hummingbirds to gardens in the eastern U.S. 3 things you'll learn from this episode The surprising truth about a hummingbird's diet. The best way to attract and support hummingbirds to your property. 10 of my f...

Summary In this episode, we focus on the fascinating world of moths and why gardening for moths is so im-portant for any backyard ecologist. We also talk about specific native plants grow to attract moths, simple ways to observe moths, practical tips for photographing moths at night, and much more. From pollination by fuzzy moth eyeballs to carnivorous moth caterpillars, this episode is full of st...

Summary Our native Vacciniums , what we commonly call the blueberries, are keystone plants which support tons of pollinators and wildlife. They also produce yummy berries which we can eat. In this episode, we talk about 9 species that are native to at least some part of the eastern U.S., and are relatively easy to find for sale at native plant nurseries. 3 things you'll learn from this episode: Th...

Summary Milkweeds are a common component of butterfly and pollinator gardens. Not only are they important for monarch caterpillars, but they are also used by a wide variety of pollinators. There are lots of different species of milkweed that are native to the eastern U.S. and have the potential to work really well in home gardens. In this episode we discuss 10 species that are native to most of th...

Summary In this episode, we dive deep into Laurel Wilt Disease which is a vascular wilt disease affecting trees in the Lauraceae family, such as sassafras, spicebush, and redbay. We discuss its history, how it spreads, ecological and cultural impacts of the disease, current management options, and challenges associated with managing the disease. We also explore potential future research directions...

Summary The Virginia strawberry ( Fragaria virginiana ) is our most widespread native wild strawberry in the eastern U.S. It supports a wide range of pollinators and wildlife. It can also make an amazing groundcover in a native plant garden. However, this is not the wild strawberry that most people find growing in their yards and garden beds. 3 things you'll learn from this episode How to tell the...

Summary Each fall, the beautiful, rich, purple blooms of ironweeds ( Vernonia spp.) grace fields and open areas throughout much of the eastern U.S. They are an ecological powerhouse for pollinators and wildlife, including a specialist bee. Ironweeds can make amazing additions to our native plant gardens where they serve as biodiversity magnets. In this episode, we discuss Mt. Cuba Center's Vernoni...

Summary While carpenter bees get a bad rap, they are also important pollinators and play a vital role in the ecosystem. Their bad reputation can also sometimes be overblown. So, let's talk a little bit about carpenter bees, why they are important, and how to discourage them from nesting in places where you don't want them.   3 things you'll learn from this episode: Where you can find eastern carpe...

Summary Dr. Doug Tallamy shares the story of how he and his wife transformed their newly built home located on a former hayfield into a thriving forest ecosystem. We talk about how they got started, their struggles along the way, the habitat wins they've celebrated, and what his next steps are for his property. He also shares what he's most excited about, his thoughts on creating habitat that you...

Summary Darkness is a vital, and often overlooked, component of our ecosystems. Unfortunately, we're losing it to light pollution. Decreasing the light pollution around your home will not only benefit the environment but will also benefit you because you'll be able to see better without all the excess glare and will save money because you aren't paying to light up the sky.   3 things you'll learn...

Summary Twice a year billions of birds migrate across the U.S. We've only recently discovered just how large that number really is. Being able to quantify that number is thanks to a large degree to a program called BirdCast which anyone from backyard birders to scientists to emergency managers can use. Join us as we dive into the fascinating world of bird migration. Today's guest Dr. Andrew Farnsw...

Summary As gardeners, it's common to get the gardening itch in late winter and early spring. The temptation to finish cleaning up our gardens during this time is a natural temptation. However, when doing your spring garden cleanup, it's important to remember why you didn't do those activities in the fall. Remembering that can help you choose what to do and when so that you can best support the pol...

Summary Ground nesting bees represent a significant portion of our native bee population, yet they often go unnoticed due to their solitary nature and unique nesting habits. In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of ground nesting bees and how we can get involved in their study and conservation. Today's guest Dr. Jordan Kueneman is a research associate in the Danforth lab of Entomolog...

Summary When someone decides they want to attract birds to their yard, often the first thing they do is put up a birdfeeder (or two). It's what we did when I was a kid, and it's what countless other people I know have done. There's nothing wrong with putting out a birdfeeder. They're a great way to bring the birds to locations where it's easy for us to watch them.  But, if you want to attract more...

Summary Amanda shares the journey she and her husband have taken to transform their small, suburban yard into a vibrant habitat for birds and pollinators. We discuss the various projects they've undertaken, the challenges of DIY landscaping, the importance of community support, and the positive reactions from neighbors and family. Their story shows how creating wildlife habitat can benefit both th...

Summary I am so excited to be relaunching the Backyard Ecology™ podcast! New episodes will be released every other week, and we have some exciting guests already lined up.  Going forward, in addition to the traditional audio version of the podcast episodes, there will also be a video version available for the episodes with guests. The video version will be available on the Backyard Ecology™ YouTub...

I can't believe that 2023 is almost over! This year has flown by! For the past several weeks, I've been doing top 10 roundups of the different types of Backyard Ecology content. We've talked about the videos, the blog articles, and the nature trivia style shorts. So, let's wrap it up with a rundown of the top 10 podcast episodes of the year. 🦋 9b) Everything You Want to Know About Nesting Birds w...