BIRD HUGGER
Science & Ideas
About
Love gardening and birds and want to help Mother Nature? Join host Catherine Greenleaf, former gardening columnist for the Boston Herald Sunday Magazine and a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured wildlife, for discussions about organic gardening and restoring native habitat to help the birds and other wildlife in your backyard. Catherine Greenleaf talks about the natural history of birds and interviews the leading experts about how to turn your backyard into a native oasis for birds and pollinators.
Episodes
- The Farm Bill's Big Benefits For Birds With Steven Riley
Steven Riley from the American Bird Conservancy joins host Catherine Greenleaf to discuss the significant benefits the Farm Bill offers to birds, acknowledging the bill's controversial aspects and potential conservation challenges.
- Saving Salamanders With The Harris Center's Brett Thelen
Brett Thelen of the Harris Center discusses the Big Night Salamander Brigades, amphibian road safety tunnel projects, and her twenty years of experience in community science programming.
- BIRD HUGGER CLASSIC: The Burrowing Owls Of Marco Island With Brittany Piersma
Brittany Piersma, a field biologist with Audubon of the Western Everglades, shares insights on Burrowing Owls, their nesting habits in underground tunnels, and her research on Marco Island, Florida. The episode also touches on related cons…
- Protecting Native Bees In Your Garden With Heather Holm
This episode features Heather Holm, author and creator of beesmn.org, discussing native bees and plants. The conversation highlights beesmn.org as a resource for identifying local bees and suitable native plants, with a mention of various…
- GARDENS TO VISIT: Flying Trillium Gardens And Preserve With Carolyn Summers
Carolyn Summers, owner of Flying Trillium Gardens and Preserve, discusses the transformation of a 220-acre farm into a native garden and forest preserve in the Catskills. The episode mentions visiting the gardens by appointment and lists s…
- Surviving The Colorado Marshall Fire With Dave Crawford
Dave Crawford returns to discuss his home rebuilding efforts after the 2021 Colorado Marshall Fire. The episode covers disaster preparedness for pets using the Pet Help and Rescue app and the functions of the Animal Help Now app for wildli…
- Bird City: Adventures in New York's Urban Wilds With Ryan Goldberg
This episode features a conversation with author Ryan Goldberg about his book, "Bird City: Adventures in New York's Urban Wilds." The discussion touches on various aspects of birding in New York City, including some controversial subjects.
- Birds Of The Great Lakes With Dexter Patterson
Catherine Greenleaf discusses Birds Of The Great Lakes with author Dexter Patterson. The podcast focuses on restoring native habitats and assisting local bird populations.
- Unsolved Wildlife Crimes Report With Megan Stolen
Forensic wildlife scientist Megan Stolen joins the podcast to discuss four ongoing cases of mutilated pelicans in Florida and North Carolina. A content warning is issued due to potentially disturbing and gruesome descriptions of harm.
- Listening To Backyard Birds Via Haiku Box With Dr. David Mann
Dr. David Mann, creator of the Haiku Box, explains how this device records and identifies bird songs in backyards, contributing to bird research. The discussion covers the technology and its role in the field.
- Special Holiday BIRD HUGGER Episode With Pam Penick
This special holiday episode of BIRD HUGGER features author Pam Penick discussing her book, Gardens of Texas. Host Catherine Greenleaf, a wildlife rehabilitator, also shares insights on restoring native habitat and helping backyard birds.
- Broad-winged Hawk Research With Hawk Mountain's Dr. Laurie Goodrich
Dr. Laurie Goodrich from Hawk Mountain Sanctuary discusses her research on Broad-winged Hawks. The episode also includes an update on Hugger and features host Catherine Greenleaf, a wildlife rehabilitator.
- The Social Lives Of Birds With Joan Strassman
This episode features Joan Strassman, author of The Social Lives of Birds, discussing avian social behavior with host Catherine Greenleaf. The conversation touches on wildlife rehabilitation and native gardening.
- BIRD HUGGER CLASSIC: Creating Native Gardens In Small Spaces With Kate Brandes
This 2021 episode features a discussion with Kate Brandes, author of Native Plants For The Small Yard, about creating native gardens in small spaces. A free version of the book is available via the Lehigh Gap Nature Center website.
- Leave The Leaves! With David Mizejewski
Naturalist David Mizejewski joins Catherine Greenleaf on BIRD HUGGER to explain the advantages for wildlife when homeowners leave fallen leaves in their yards. Mizejewski is with the National Wildlife Federation.
- BIRD HUGGER CLASSIC: Bird Shamanism With Evan Pritchard
This episode from 2022 discusses bird shamanism and divination with Native American elder and author Evan Pritchard. It explores the spiritual connection people can develop with birds.
- BIRD HUGGER CLASSIC: Native Groundcovers For Northeast Landscapes With Anna Fialkoff
Anna Fialkoff, Ecological Programs Manager at Wild Seed Project.org, discusses native groundcovers for Northeast landscapes. She co-authored a guide with Heather McCargo focusing on native groundcovers, particularly for challenging garden…
- BIRD HUGGER CLASSIC: The Elusive Nighthawk With Phil Brown
This 2022 interview features Phil Brown from the Harris Center for Conservation Education discussing the Nighthawk. The episode clarifies that despite its name, the Nighthawk is not a hawk and is not a nocturnal bird, while exploring its b…
- Birds Of The Tropical Andes With Michael J. Parr
Michael J. Parr, president of the American Bird Conservancy, joins Catherine Greenleaf to discuss his book, Birds of the Tropical Andes. The conversation covers the region's biodiversity and provides advice for birdwatching travel in South…
- BIRD HUGGER CLASSIC: The Evolution of Bird Song with David George Haskell
On BIRD HUGGER CLASSIC, host Catherine Greenleaf speaks with evolutionary biologist David George Haskell about the evolution of bird songs. The episode also touches on native habitat restoration and helping backyard birds.
- How Noise Affects Humans and Wildlife With Chris Berdik
Science journalist Chris Berdik joins Catherine Greenleaf to discuss his book 'Clamor,' exploring the effects of noise pollution on humans and wildlife, with a focus on birds, and potential solutions.
- Saving Our Soils With Louis De Jaeger
The episode features Louie De Jaeger, author of
- The Grass Isn't Greener With Danae Wolfe
Catherine Greenleaf speaks with author Danae Wolfe about her book, Grass Isn't Greener. Wolfe is the founder of Chasing Bugs and an award-winning nature educator. The discussion touches on restoring native habitat and supporting local bird…
- Fighting Drought With Martha Retallick
This episode features Martha Retallick, author of Water Harvesting 101, who shares insights on starting rainwater harvesting in one's yard. The discussion is hosted by Catherine Greenleaf.
- Tracking Swallow-tailed Kites With Gina Kent
Gina Kent rejoins the podcast to discuss the Swallow-Tailed Kite, detailing the challenges the species faces during migration, as well as the impacts of Hurricanes Ian and Milton.
- Unsolved Wildlife Crimes Report With Megan Stolen
Wildlife forensic scientist Megan Stolen joins the BIRD HUGGER podcast to discuss her investigations into wildlife cruelty. She also provides an update on pelicans deliberately injured in Brevard County, Florida.
- Planting Natives For Resilience With Marie Chieppo
This episode features native garden designer Marie Chieppo discussing lawn reduction, native plant introduction, and creating insect habitats. The conversation also touches on restoring native habitats and helping backyard birds.
- Rescuing Wild Turtles With Pam Meier
Pam Meier, director of The Turtle's Back, joins BIRD HUGGER to discuss wild turtle rescue and rehabilitation. Topics include how to assist turtles in the road and efforts to prevent turtle poaching.
- Saving and Growing Native Seeds With Alexis Doshas
Alexis Doshas, Nursery Manager for the Native Plant Trust, shares insights on saving and growing native seeds, discussing the annual planting of 50,000 to 60,000 seeds and mentioning various native plants.
- Your First Vegetable Garden With Maria Rodale
Maria Rodale joins host Catherine Greenleaf to discuss starting a first vegetable garden, drawing on her family's organic gardening background. The episode also touches on Rodale's book, "The Love Alphabet Book," and broader topics of nati…
- The Flight Of The Hummingbird With Carole Turek
Carole Turek, a hummingbird expert, shares details about her global travels to document all 371 hummingbird species, her involvement with the American Bird Conservancy, and her YouTube channel, The Hummingbird Spot, which features live str…
- Pests: How Humans Create Animal Villains With Bethany Brookshire
Bethany Brookshire, author of "Pests: How Humans Create Animal Villains," joins the podcast to discuss the labeling of animals as pests and methods for coexistence. The episode also touches on wildlife rehabilitation and native gardening.
- Cats vs. Birds With Grant Sizemore
Grant Sizemore from the American Bird Conservancy discusses the dangers outdoor cats pose to birds, mammals, and humans. The episode offers guidance on ensuring the safety of both cats and birds.
- Bad Naturalist With Paula Whyman
Paula Whyman, author of Bad Naturalist, shares her experience restoring 200 acres of pastureland in Virginia into a native meadow. The discussion covers habitat restoration and helping backyard birds.
- BIRD HUGGER CLASSIC: 100 Plants To Feed The Bees With The Xerces Society
Matthew Shepherd from The Xerces Society joins BIRD HUGGER to discuss the book "100 Plants To Feed The Bees: Provide A Healthy Habitat To Help Bees Thrive". The episode covers native plants that support bee populations, including Buttonbus…
- BIRD HUGGER CLASSIC: Planting Native Seeds Outdoors With Heather McCargo
In this episode of BIRD HUGGER, host Catherine Greenleaf interviews Heather McCargo, founder of Wild Seed Project, about the most effective method for planting native seeds outdoors during winter to help local bird populations.
- Season's Greetings! ENCORE PRESENTATION: The Secret Garden With Marta MacDowell
The BIRD HUGGER Holiday Special features author Marta McDowell discussing her book, "Unearthing The Secret Garden: The Plants and Places That Inspired Frances Hodgson Burnett." The episode also touches on wildlife rehabilitation and native…
- Protecting The Integrity Of Water With Declan McCabe
Aquatic biologist Declan McCabe joins BIRD HUGGER to discuss his book, Turning Stones, which explores the diversity of life dependent on water and advocates for preserving clean water resources.
- Making Bird Calls With Dan Gardoqui
Dan Gardoqui, an expert bird mimic and nature educator, discusses mimicking bird calls and the importance of observing birds in nature. He is the founder of Lead With Nature and co-creator of the book "What the Robin Knows."
- ENCORE PRESENTATION: Northeast Native Plant Primer With Uli Lorimer
This episode features Uli Lorimer, author of The Northeast Native Plant Primer, discussing the significance of native plants for birds and wildlife. The conversation covers plant successions in meadow conversions and suggests native annual…
- The Search For Lost Birds With John Mittermeier
John Mittermeier, director of the Lost Birds Program at the American Bird Conservancy, joins BIRD HUGGER to discuss his work searching for rare and potentially extinct bird species, such as the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker. The episode also tou…
- The Straight Poop On Seabirds With Sea McKeon
Sea McKeon, Marine Program Director at the American Bird Conservancy, joins host Catherine Greenleaf to discuss the ecological importance of seabird poop. McKeon shares insights from his background as a biodiversity scientist and evolution…
- Creating A Native Garden At Your Workplace With Nancy Farwell
Nancy Farwell shares her experience creating a native garden at Northern Woodlands magazine, covering the conversion process, encountered challenges, and the specific plants selected for the 3,600 square-foot space.
- From Wasteland To Wonder With Basil Camu
Basil Camu, author of "From Wasteland To Wonder," explains how current urban and suburban landscaping practices negatively impact natural ecosystems. His book provides accessible methods for reintroducing the beauty and function of nature…
- New Research Findings On Broad-Winged Hawks With Dr. Laurie Goodrich
Dr. Laurie Goodrich shares findings from her satellite telemetry research on Broad-Winged Hawks and provides an update on a sponsored hawk named HUGGER. Her work includes co-founding conservation sites and contributing to analyses of rapto…
- Slow Birding With Joan Strassmann
Evolutionary biologist Joan Strassmann joins BIRD HUGGER to discuss her book, "The Slow Birding Journal," and promotes the enjoyment of bird watching in one's backyard using accessible techniques.
- ENCORE PRESENTATION: The Benefits Of Bare-Root Plantings With Becky Brewer
This episode features Becky Brewer from Prairie Moon Nursery discussing the benefits of bare-root native plantings and how to plant them, as an alternative to dealing with Asian jumping worms and plastic plant pots. The podcast focuses on…
- So You Want To Become A Wildlife Rehabilitator With Kai Williams
Kai Williams, executive director of the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council, joins host Catherine Greenleaf to discuss wildlife rehabilitation. The episode covers information on training and resources available through the IWRC f…
- How Over-Consumption Intensifies Climate Change with Hannah Evans
Hannah Evans from Population Connection discusses how human population numbers impact climate change and resources. Her background includes environmental policy, political ecology, and non-profit work focused on sustainability and public h…
- Making Your Yard A Quiet Oasis For Birds With Arline Bronzaft
Dr. Arline Bronzaft, an environmental psychologist from Quiet Communities, shares insights on creating tranquil yard spaces for birds and other wildlife, focusing on the impact of sound.