Episodes


  • Today we speak with Basil Camu, author of the wonderful new book, From Wasteland To Wonder: Easy Ways We Can Help Heal Earth In The Sub/Urban Landscape. According to Basil, the way we currently landscape our urban and suburban landscapes is harming natural ecosystems. His book shows us easy techniques for bringing the beauty and functionality of nature back to our yards. For more information on his book, go to leaflimb.com. The ebook version is free. For more information on Project Pando, go to leaflimb.com. Shifting Baseline Syndrome at https://tinyurl.com/yc42b22p. Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured birds, for twice-monthly discussions about restoring native habitat and helping the birds in your backyard. Access the BIRD HUGGER Newsletter here: www.birdhuggerpodcast.com. Send your questions about birds and native gardening to [email protected]. (PG-13) St. Dymphna Press, LLC.


  • In today's episode, we talk with Dr. Laurie Goodrich from Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Pennsylvania about the latest findings of her satellite telemetry research into the Broad-Winged Hawk. Also included: An exciting update on HUGGER, the Broad-Winged Hawk we are sponsoring! Dr. Goodrich launched the collaborative Pennsylvania Farmland Raptor and The Broad-winged Hawk research projects, and globally, she co-founded the now world-famous million-raptor conservation site at the River of Raptors in Veracruz, Mexico. Working with colleagues at the Hawk Migration Association of North America, HawkWatch International, and Bird Studies Canada, she helped develop the award-winning Raptor Population Index Project, and contributed heavily to The State of North America’s Birds of Prey, the first comprehensive analysis of raptor populations across the continent. To track Dr. Goodrich's Broad-Wingeds, go to: https://tinyurl.com/2s372bn5. For more info, go to www.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 about birds and native gardening to [email protected]. (PG-13) St. Dymphna Press, LLC. Bird calls courtesy of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.


  • Today we speak with evolutionary biologist Joan Strassmann from St. Louis, Missouri about her brand-new book, The Slow Birding Journal. She explains why there's no need to fly to Panama to watch birds. You can enjoy bird watching in your own backyard by following some fun and easy-to-learn techniques. See The Backyard Bird Chronicles by Amy Tan at https://tinyurl.com/cnfnyhyf. See Indigo Bunting at https://tinyurl.com/r9sxfwhr. See Rose-Breasted Grosbeak at https://tinyurl.com/whzstjmk. See White and Black Warbler at https://tinyurl.com/ycy58m9j. Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured birds, for twice-monthly discussions about restoring native habitat and helping the birds in your backyard. Access the BIRD HUGGER Newsletter here: www.birdhuggerpodcast.com. Send your questions about birds and native gardening to [email protected]. (PG-13) St. Dymphna Press, LLC.


  • ENCORE PRESENTATION: In today's episode, we talk with Becky Brewer from Prairie Moon Nursery in Minnesota about the many benefits of bare-root natives and how to plant them. Are you tired of finding Asian Jumping Worms in your soil? Tired of dealing with how to recycle plastic plant pots that can't be recycled? Bare-root plantings is the way to go! For more information go to: 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 [email protected]. (PG-13) St. Dymphna Press, LLC. Bird calls courtesy of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.


  • Have you ever wondered what it would be like to rescue and rehabilitate injured wildlife? Today we have as our guest Kai Williams, executive director of the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council, an organization serving wildlife rehabilitators worldwide with educational training and networking. For more information, go to www.theiwrc.org. Or call 1-866-871-1869. Contact Kai at [email protected]. Kai is interested in human perceptions of and ways of interacting with other species and systems. She has a BA in environmental studies and anthropology from Lawrence University and a Masters in Public Policy and Administration from Northwestern University. Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured birds, for twice-monthly discussions about restoring native habitat and helping the birds in your backyard. Access the BIRD HUGGER Newsletter here: www.birdhuggerpodcast.com. Send your questions about birds and native gardening to [email protected]. (PG-13) St. Dymphna Press, LLC.


  • Today our guest is Hannah Evans from Population Connection, a non-profit organization that promotes awareness about the impact of human population numbers on climate change and the Earth's resources. Hannah works to cultivate partnerships between Population Connection and international NGOs. Before joining Population Connection’s staff, Hannah worked as an adjunct professor of Women’s Studies and taught classes on gender, science, and feminist theory. She has non-profit experience working as a program developer for sustainable agriculture and public health programs in Honduras and Panama and has worked as a researcher studying food security issues throughout Southern California. Hannah holds a BA in Environmental Policy and Natural Resource Conservation and Political Science and a Master’s in Political Ecology from San Diego State University, where her research focused on sustainability labeling and ethical consumption between the United States and Nicaragua. For more information, go to www.populationconnection.org. Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured birds, for twice-monthly discussions about restoring native habitat and helping the birds in your backyard. Access the BIRD HUGGER Newsletter here: www.birdhuggerpodcast.com. Send your questions about birds and native gardening to [email protected]. (PG-13) St. Dymphna Press, LLC.


  • Today our guest is Dr. Arline Bronzaft, an environmental psychologist from Quiet Communities who specializes in the effects of sound on animals like birds and people. She tells us about ways to make your yard a quiet oasis for birds and other critters. For more information, go to www.quietcommunities.org. Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured birds, for twice-monthly discussions about restoring native habitat and helping the birds in your backyard. Access the BIRD HUGGER Newsletter here: www.birdhuggerpodcast.com. Send your questions about birds and native gardening to [email protected]. (PG-13) St. Dymphna Press, LLC.


  • Today we have as our guest Megan Stolen, a forensic wildlife scientist from Blue World Research Institute in Florida. Megan was recently called in to evaluate a rash of unusual and suspicious pelican injuries and deaths in Brevard County. The case led to an investigation by state authorities. To make donations to the Florida Wildlife Hospital of Palm Shores, Florida please go to https://floridawildlifehospital.org. To find out more about Blue World Research Insititute (BWRI) go to: https://bwri.org. Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured birds, for twice-monthly discussions about restoring native habitat and helping the birds in your backyard. Access the BIRD HUGGER Newsletter here: www.birdhuggerpodcast.com. Send your questions about birds and native gardening to [email protected]. (PG-13) St. Dymphna Press, LLC.


  • ENCORE PRESENTATION: In today's episode, we speak with award-winning author Dr. Doug Tallamy about his new book The Nature of Oaks: The Rich Ecology Of Our Most Essential Native Trees. The native Oak tree is a keystone species and provides sustenance for hundreds of species of birds, butterflies and other creatures. Hear Doug explain the best way to plant an oak tree. For more information on Dr. Tallamy's work go to: homegrownnationalpark.org. Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured birds, for twice-monthly discussions about restoring native habitat and helping the birds in your backyard. Access the BIRD HUGGER Newsletter here: www.birdhuggerpodcast.com. Send your questions about birds and native gardening to [email protected]. (PG-13) St. Dymphna Press, LLC.


  • Today our guest is Judith Schwartz, award-winning author of the incredible book, Water In Plain Sight: Hope For A Thirsty World. Judith explains to us how trapping, slowing down and absorbing water on your property contributes to healthy small-water systems and helps decrease out-of-control flood and drought cycles in your region. To read more about Judith and her book go to https://www.judithdschwartz.com. For further information on the work of hydrologist Michael Kravcik, go to Water For The Recovery Of The Climate: The New Water Paradigm at: https://tinyurl.com/7xbukx5z. For more info on water literacy, go to: https://tinyurl.com/3xsutxwn. To become a water restoration specialist, go to waterstories.com. Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured birds, for twice-monthly discussions about restoring native habitat and helping the birds in your backyard. Access the BIRD HUGGER Newsletter here: www.birdhuggerpodcast.com. Send your questions about birds and native gardening to [email protected]. (PG-13) St. Dymphna Press, LLC.


  • Today's guest is Dave Crawford, creator of the marvelous new pet rescue app phar.org, as well as the wildlife rescue app animalhelpnow.org. Dave also tells us about the devastating wildfire that destroyed his home and his neighborhood during the Marshall Fire of 2021 and how he is rebuilding his lfe. Go to phar.org and/or animalhelpnow.org. For info on the book, Filling The Ark by Dr. Leslie Irvine, go to https://tinyurl.com/2w2dtdhb. Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured birds, for twice-monthly discussions about restoring native habitat and helping the birds in your backyard. Access the BIRD HUGGER Newsletter here: www.birdhuggerpodcast.com. Send your questions about birds and native gardening to [email protected]. (PG-13) St. Dymphna Press, LLC.


  • Today our guest is Gina Kent, senior scientist with the Avian Research and Conservation Institute out of Gainesville, Florida. Gina tells us all about the Swallow-Tailed Kite. For more info on the Avian Research and Conservation Institute, go to ARCInst.org. For the ARCI Eyes On Kite program, go to: https://www.arcinst.org/eyes-on-kites. For more info on the Swallow-Tailed Kite go to https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Swallow-tailed_Kite/id#. Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured birds, for twice-monthly discussions about restoring native habitat and helping the birds in your backyard. Access the BIRD HUGGER Newsletter here: www.birdhuggerpodcast.com. Send your questions about birds and native gardening to [email protected]. (PG-13) St. Dymphna Press, LLC.


  • Today we are joined by Catherine Quayle of the Wild Bird Fund, Christine Sheppard from the American Bird Conservancy and New York State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal to discuss the phenomenon that was Flaco the Owl. We discuss this bird's celebrity status and how Flaco's death could have been prevented. State Senator Hoylman-Signal offers legislative solutions to glass windows, which kill one billion birds every year in the U.S. Did you know that 44% of all bird collisions with glass occur at your average home? For more info go to: www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gJmBLFnAa4 and www.youtube.com/watch?v=69LiMbvuU3g. For window deterrents go to collidescape.org; featherfriendly.com; birdsavers.com; and walkerglass.com/products/bird-friendly-glass-solution. Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured birds, for twice-monthly discussions about restoring native habitat and helping the birds in your backyard. Access the BIRD HUGGER Newsletter here: www.birdhuggerpodcast.com. Send your questions about birds and native gardening to [email protected]. (PG-13) St. Dymphna Press, LLC.


  • Today's guest is Phil Brown, Bird Conservation Director with the Harris Center for Conservation Education in Hancock, New Hampshire. Phil tells us all about a new program the Harris Center is spearheading to help boost Kestrel numbers in New Hampshire. For more information go to: harriscenter.org. For more information on the American Kestrel Partnership go to: https://kestrel.peregrinefund.org. For more information on Hawk Mountain Sanctuary go to: hawkmountain.org. To report a Kestrel sighting go to ebird.org. Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured birds, for twice-monthly discussions about restoring native habitat and helping the birds in your backyard. Access the BIRD HUGGER Newsletter here: www.birdhuggerpodcast.com. Send your questions about birds and native gardening to [email protected]. (PG-13) St. Dymphna Press, LLC.


  • Today's guest is Tuscon, Arizona resident, gardener and photographer Martha Retallick. Martha has written a wonderful new book called City Nature. In the book she chronicles how she tackled the challenge of harvesting rainwater for her house and gardens -- and created an oasis for birds. For more info, go to her website at: westernskycommunications.com. Go to Texas Metal Tanks at: texasmetaltanks.com. Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured birds, for twice-monthly discussions about restoring native habitat and helping the birds in your backyard. Access the BIRD HUGGER Newsletter here: www.birdhuggerpodcast.com. Send your questions about birds and native gardening to [email protected]. (PG-13) St. Dymphna Press, LLC.


  • Today we speak with avian rehabilitator Stephanie Ellis about her experiences hatching, raising and renesting orphaned Osprey chicks. Stephanie is the Executive Director of WildCare in Eastham, Massachusetts on Cape Cod. For more information, go to wildlifecarecapecod.org. Send your donations to: Wild Care Cape Cod, 10 Smith Lane, Eastham, MA 02642. Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured birds, for twice-monthly discussions about restoring native habitat and helping the birds in your backyard. Access the BIRD HUGGER Newsletter here: www.birdhuggerpodcast.com. Send your questions about birds and native gardening to [email protected]. (PG-13) St. Dymphna Press, LLC.


  • Today we speak with Hardy Kern from the American Bird Conservancy about the latest scientific findings (2023) regarding insecticides, like neonicotinoids, and their impacts on birds. We also talk about what you can do to protect birds from deadly insecticides. For more information, go to: abcbirds.org/2023neonicsreport. For more information on imidacloprid go to: http://tinyurl.com/43vtuu4w. For more information at thiamethoxan go to: http://tinyurl.com/45ec89uz. For more information on clothianidin go to: http://tinyurl.com/pkfj53b9. For further information from the American Bird Conservancy, contact Hardy Kern directly at his email: [email protected]. Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured birds, for twice-monthly discussions about restoring native habitat and helping the birds in your backyard. Access the BIRD HUGGER Newsletter here: www.birdhuggerpodcast.com. Send your questions about birds and native gardening to [email protected]. (PG-13) St. Dymphna Press, LLC.


  • In today's episode, we speak with renowned ecological landscape designer and gardening consultant Kathy Connolly about the best way to prepare your site and soil for a native garden. Plants mentioned in the show: Carolina Rhodedendron; low-growing Juniper; Northern Sea Oats; Big Bluestem; Little Bluestem; Switchgrass; Prairie Dropseed. Go to: The Magical World of Moss Gardens by Annie Martin at: https://www.amazon.com/Magical-World-Moss-Gardening/dp/1604695609. Conway School of Landscape Design: https://csld.edu/. Reddit HOA: https://www.reddit.com/r/NativePlantGardening/comments/t3luin/hoa_anger/. Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured birds, for twice-monthly discussions about restoring native habitat and helping the birds in your backyard. Access the BIRD HUGGER Newsletter here: www.birdhuggerpodcast.com. Send your questions about birds and native gardening to [email protected]. (PG-13) St. Dymphna Press, LLC.


  • Daniel Wilson joins us today from Tri-State Bird Rescue in Delaware to discuss the amazing process of rescuing and rehabilitating birds contaminated by oil spills. For more information go to www.tristatebird.org. Go to GOWRS or Global Oiled Wildlife Response Service at http://tinyurl.com/yfxjkr22. Go to Sea Alarm at https://www.sea-alarm.org/category/gowrs/. Go to Coast Guard National Response Center at https://www.epa.gov/emergency-response/national-response-center. Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured birds, for twice-monthly discussions about restoring native habitat and helping the birds in your backyard. Access the BIRD HUGGER Newsletter here: www.birdhuggerpodcast.com. Send your questions about birds and native gardening to [email protected]. (PG-13) St. Dymphna Press, LLC.


  • Wishing you the happiest of holidays! In our final episode of the year, we invite you to join us for some festive cheer as we speak with legendary organic gardener and author Maria Rodale about her new book, Love, Nature, Magic: Shamanic Journeys Into The Heart Of My Garden. In her book Maria chronicles the shamanic journeys she undertakes to communicate with plants, animals and insects. She says it's time for all of us to learn to love life and our gardens just as they are. We also have a special holiday message for the kids from Mrs. Peaknuckle. For more on Maria, go to www.mariarodale.com. For more on the book, Finding The Mother Tree by Suzanne Simard, go to www.suzannesimard.com. For more info on the documentary, Organic Rising, go to https://www.organicrisingfilm.com. Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured birds, for twice-monthly discussions about restoring native habitat and helping the birds in your backyard. Access the BIRD HUGGER Newsletter here: www.birdhuggerpodcast.com. Send your questions about birds and native gardening to [email protected]. (PG-13) St. Dymphna Press, LLC.