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 for birds. Find out how you can help at: harriscenter.org. For more info, watch this video: https://w...
Mar 03, 2022•35 min•Season 3Ep. 46
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 discussions about restoring native habitat and helping the birds in your backyard. Send your questions ab...
Feb 24, 2022•34 min•Season 3Ep. 45
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 Jumping Worms from the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station: https://tinyurl.com/yk8dkuzu) (Also,...
Feb 10, 2022•39 min•Season 3Ep. 44
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 backyard. Send your questions about birds and native gardening to birdhuggerpodcast@gmail.com. (PG-13) St...
Feb 04, 2022•19 min•Season 3Ep. 43
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 Remediation Database: https://tinyurl.com/mrytfse6); (New York City Audubon's Window Collision Advocat...
Jan 27, 2022•27 min•Season 3Ep. 42
In today's episode, we have a Mystery Bird. Can you identify that bird call? We'll also be discussing snow drought and its serious implications for the environment, including the birds. We'll also be talking about what you can do to prevent it. Also, fascinating new information about spiders, a vital food source for birds. Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured wildlife, for twice-monthly discussions about rest...
Jan 13, 2022•17 min•Season 3Ep. 41
In today's episode, we discuss several types of native shrubs and ground covers that offer berries to birds and other wildlife in the winter. We also talk about what we know up to this point about Asian Jumping Worms (www.tinyurl.com/29tz95rx) and the problems posed by commercially raised and released butterflies. Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured wildlife, for twice-monthly discussions about restoring nat...
Dec 30, 2021•14 min•Season 2Ep. 40
Happy Holidays! Wishing all of you a very merry holiday season and a joyous and happy New Year! Welcome to our special holiday edition of BIRD HUGGER. In today's episode, we'll be looking back over the last year at some of the topics we tackled on the show along with recommendations for some nature books for young people. And finally we will talk with Lisa Doseff, author of the wonderful award-winning children's book, Grandma Lisa's Humming, Buzzing, Chirping Garden. Join Catherine Greenleaf, a ...
Dec 16, 2021•29 min•Season 2Ep. 39
In today's episode, we'll be talking with Benjamin Vogt, author of the thought-provoking book, A New Garden Ethic: Cultivating Defiant Compassion For An Uncertain Future (New Society Publishers), about how to lessen the major ecological castastrophe headed our way with the Sixth Mass Extinction. (www.monarchgard.com); (A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold at www.aldoleopold.org); (environmental grief at www.tinyurl.com/4ertbsbt). Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with...
Dec 02, 2021•32 min•Season 2Ep. 38
In today's episode, we'll be talking about a native shrub nobody likes -- the much-disparaged, but extremely beneficial, Sumac. 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 backyard. Send your questions about birds and native gardening to birdhuggerpodcast@gmail.com. (PG-13) St. Dymphna Press, LLC.
Nov 18, 2021•13 min•Season 2Ep. 37
In today's episode, we speak with Kate Brandes, author of the book, Native Plants For The Small Yard. We'll be discussing design ideas for planting native plants in small spaces. You can download a free version of the book by going to the Lehigh Gap Nature Center website at www.lgnc.org. 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...
Nov 04, 2021•30 min•Season 2Ep. 36
Spooky! Scary! Join us for a special Halloween episode of Bird Hugger. Learn how to make organic pumpkin seed pesto and how to keep birds safe from outdoor Halloween decorations. Then join us for a conversation with David Crawford, co-founder and executive director of AnimalHelpNow.org, an organization that is working hard to find injured animals the help they need. Resource: www.danielklemjr.org (Dr. Daniel Klem, Jr., author of the new book Solid Air: Invisible Killer -- Saving Billions of Bird...
Oct 28, 2021•25 min•Season 2Ep. 35
In today's episode, we speak with renowned nature writer and photographer John Shewey (author of the new book, The Hummingbird Handbook) about the fall migration of hummingbirds. His information might surprise you. Check out his website at: www.birdingoregon.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 backyard. ...
Oct 21, 2021•41 min•Season 2Ep. 34
In today's episode, we talk with noted biologist Heather Holm about her brand-new, multiple award-winning book, Wasps: Their Biology, Diversity and Role as Beneficial Insects and Pollinators of Native Plants. We will discuss the biology and behavior of the wasp, and just how incredibly beneficial this insect really is in the native flower garden. Links: www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com and www.pollinationpress.com. Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 years of expe...
Oct 07, 2021•39 min•Season 2Ep. 33
What could be more important for birds than clean water to drink? In today's episode, we speak with aquatic biologist Angela Shambaugh about how to prevent toxic Cyanobacteria blooms in lakes and ponds. Links: North American Lake Management Society resources for cyanobacteria: www.nalms.org/inlandhabs/#resources; Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council (ITRC) cyanobacteria guidance: www.hcb-1.itrcweb.org (Visual Guide is in Appendix A Lakeshore protection and restoration); Vermont's Lakewis...
Sep 23, 2021•33 min•Season 2Ep. 32
In today's episode, we have a Mystery bird. Can you identify that bird call? Also, we bid farewell to a wonderful summer season of planting native flowers and enjoying the birds in our backyards. 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 backyard. Send your questions about birds and native gardening to birdhuggerpo...
Sep 09, 2021•10 min•Season 2Ep. 31
In today's episode, we talk with author Marta McDowell about her book, Emily Dickinson's Gardening Life: The Plants And Places That Inspired The Iconic Poet. We discuss the plants the poet planted in her gardens at the family homestead in Amherst, Massachusetts in the mid-1800s and the parallels between her poetry, gardening and spiritual life. (martamcdowell.com). Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured wildlif...
Aug 26, 2021•32 min•Season 2Ep. 30
In today's episode, we speak with Anna Fialkoff from Wild Seed Project about the organization's brand-new 64-page full-color booklet, Native Trees For Northeast Landscapes. (wildseedproject.net) Don’t miss their native plant and tree sale. Members: 8/25 to 8/31. Non-members: 9/1 to 9/9. Buy online and pick up in person. Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured wildlife, for twice-monthly discussions about restori...
Aug 12, 2021•37 min•Season 2Ep. 29
In today's episode, we speak with Dave Govatski, retired forester, about how to identify old growth forests and how to protect them. (oldgrowthforestnetwork.net) (newildernesstrust.org) (naturegroupie.org). (treeequityscore.org). Join host 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 backyard. Send your questions about bir...
Jul 29, 2021•43 min•Season 2Ep. 28
In today's episode, we speak with Jen Ainsworth, executive director of the Wild Ones organization, headquartered in Neenah, Wisconsin. Wild Ones is dedicated to educating gardeners about native gardening. We talk about how you can join a chapter of Wild Ones or start your own chapter and what educational activities are available for members (wildones.org). Join host Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured wildlife, f...
Jul 15, 2021•19 min•Season 2Ep. 27
In today's episode, we speak with journalist and historian Jim Rousmaniere. Jim is the author of the book, Water Connections: What Fresh Water Means To Us And What We Mean To Water, published by Bauhan Publishing (www.waterconnections.net). We talk about the importance of preserving wetlands as well as how to protect rivers. Join host Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured wildlife, for twice-monthly discussions abo...
Jul 01, 2021•34 min•Season 2Ep. 26
In today's episode, we speak with renowned garden designer and researcher Marie Chieppo. She is the author of a new report, sponsored by the Association of Professional Landscape Designers, detailing the ecological damage caused by the manufacture and use of non-recyclable plastic pots and trays in the U.S. gardening industry and what can be done about it. Read the report here: www.apld.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/APLD-Plastic-Pots-White-Paper.pdf. Join host Catherine Greenleaf, a certified w...
Jun 17, 2021•41 min•Season 2Ep. 25
In today's episode, we speak with horticultural therapist and gardening author Fiann O'Nuallain from Dublin, Ireland, about his new book, Seeds of Mindfulness: 101 Moments In The Garden, and how being in the present moment enhances our gardening experience. Join host 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 backyard. S...
Jun 03, 2021•45 min•Season 2Ep. 24
In today's episode, we speak with Felder Rushing, award-winning gardener from Mississippi and author of the new book, Maverick Gardeners. We talk about celebrating diversity among gardeners and how gardening is often the vital link that turns neighbors into good friends. Join host 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 yo...
May 20, 2021•33 min•Season 2Ep. 23
In today's episode, we speak with award-winning author Dr. Douglas Tallamy about his brand-new book The Nature of Oaks: The Rich Ecology Of Our Most Essential Native Trees. Link: homegrownnationalpark.org. Join host 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 backyard. Send your questions about birds and native gardening ...
May 06, 2021•50 min•Season 2Ep. 22
In today's episode, we discuss several native shrubs to grow to benefit birds with author Mariette Nowak. She is the author of the book, Birdscaping In The Midwest: A Guide To Gardening With Native Plants (University of Wisconsin Press). Join host 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 backyard. Send your questions a...
Apr 22, 2021•35 min•Season 2Ep. 21
The Monarch Butterfly was recently turned down by federal officials for protection by the Endangered Species Act. In this episode, we talk with Angie Babbit, communications director of MonarchWatch.org, about how this decision may actually help the Monarchs. Note: This interview was conducted shortly before the total number of Monarchs overwintering in Mexico was released to the public. Visit their link at: monarchwatch.org/blog. See population numbers for the last several years at: monarchwatch...
Apr 08, 2021•44 min•Season 2Ep. 20
In this episode, we talk with Dr. Joelle Gehring, a biologist with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Office who specializes in preventing bird collisions with communications towers. Dr. Gehring has worked tirelessly over the last 20 years to reduce the hazards of communications towers to migrating songbirds. Link: www.fws.gov. Type "communication tower" in the search engine. Join host Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injur...
Mar 25, 2021•32 min•Season 2Ep. 19
In this special episode, we continue our talk with award-winning journalist Judith D. Schwartz, author of the new book The Reindeer Chronicles, about the growing problem of desertification on the planet and how it can be stopped, and even reversed. This is Part Two of a two-part series. Links: www.judithdschwartz.com and www.chelseagreen.com. We also talk about being an "early bird" when it comes to acquiring needed gardening supplies. Join host Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabili...
Mar 11, 2021•44 min•Season 2Ep. 18
In this special episode, we talk with award-winning science journalist Judith D. Schwartz, author of the new book The Reindeer Chronicles, about the growing problem of desertification on the planet and how it can be stopped, and even reversed. Links: www.judithdschwartz.com and www.chelseagreen.com. Join host Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured wildlife, for twice-monthly discussions about restoring native habita...
Feb 25, 2021•39 min•Season 2Ep. 17
