BIRD HUGGER

In today's episode, we talk with avian biologist Tiffany Grade from the Loon Preservation Committee about the mysterious deaths of loons on Squam Lake in New Hampshire and what may be causing them. To learn more about the Loon Preservation Committee in Moultonborough, New Hampshire go to loon.org. For further information about fish consumption limits on Squam Lake go to: https://www4.des.state.nh.us/nh-pfas-investigation/wp-content/uploads/Squam-Lake-PFAS-HHRA-2020.pdf. 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. 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 Anna Fialkoff, Ecological Programs Manager at Wild Seed Project.org. Anna has co-authored a guide with founder Heather McCargo called Native Groundcovers For Northeast Landscapes and it is chockful of useful information about native groundcovers, especially for coverage in problem areas in the garden. 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. 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 discuss bird shamanism and bird divination and the mystical and spiritual connection all of us can develop with birds with Evan Pritchard, a Native American elder and author of the very popular book, Bird Medicine. This show is dedicated to my beloved mother-in-law, Connie Greenleaf, who passed in November. A true bird enthusiast, she loved Evan Pritchard's workshops and attended three of them at the Open Center in New York City. 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. 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 about getting started as a beginner birdwatcher with expert birder and naturalist Stan Tekiela. For more information about Stan's books, nature tours and wildlife photography go to www.naturesmart.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. 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 discuss how to safely help turtles cross the roads during egg-laying season with turtle expert Pam Meier. Pam has been rescuing and rehabilitating injured wild turtles for over 20 years and runs a rehabilitation center called The Turtle's Back in Madison, Connecticut (www.theturtlesback.org). Please remember that Snapping turtles can snap! First rule: Be safe! There is no need to pick up a snapping turtle when helping them across the road. Instead, gently coax the turtle into a plastic storage container with a spade or shovel and then carry her across the road in the direction she was headed. Other methods: place the turtle on a rubber car mat, plastic tarp or large piece of flat cardboard and drag her across to the other side of the road. Never drag a Snapper backwards by the tail as it can rupture her spine. 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. 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.

Where do most birds nest? In trees, of course! Spring brings the lovely sound of chirping birds but it can also bring the loud whir of chainsaws. In today's episode, we discuss how to negotiate with utility companies that appear overly aggressive in their tree removal and trimming practices with Diane Hoffman of Hamden Alliance For Trees (HAT), an organization in Connecticut that has been very successful in protecting the trees in their town. How to protect your neighborhood's trees: 1) Form a group to protect trees and seek like-minded members in your town; 2) Urge your town to form a Tree Commission with members that are average citizens; 3) Ask your town to hire a part-time or full-time arborist who also serves as a consultant in Tree Commission matters; 4) Investigate the idea of creating a town ordinance that oversees the work of utility companies; 5) Organize petitions to save trees in dispute; 6) Plant street trees on your front lawn and away from the hellstrip; 7) Urge your town planners to bury utility lines; 8) Report utility companies to government officials for using intimidation tactics like referring customer complaints to the "Escalation Department"; 9) Request to see permits when questioning tree cutting or removal work; 10) Carefully document all discussions with utility company personnel; 11) Be willing to testify at legislative hearings. See Connecticut PURA (Public Utility Regulatory Authority) tree laws at https://tinyurl.com/2p8phm39. See Hamden, CT Tree Ordinance: https://tinyurl.com/2w8ezywz. Also on tap: how to remove invasive English Ivy and the consequences of poaching native flowers from the wild. Go to plantconservationalliance.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. Access the BIRD HUGGER Newsletter here: www.birdhuggerpodcast.com. Send your questions about birds and native gardening to [email protected].

In today's episode, we discuss how to handle the territorial aggression of songbirds around your home. We also get the latest updates on the avian flu situation from New Hampshire State Veterinarian Dr. Stephen Crawford and Daniel Bergeron, Chief of the Wildlife Division at the New Hampshire Fish & Game Department. To report sick or dead wild birds in New Hampshire call New Hampshire Fish & Game Dispatch at (603) 271-3361. To report sick or dead domesticated ducks or chickens call (603) 271-2404. And finally, we will hear about the natural history of the Evening Grosbeak, one of the most beautiful birds in the finch family. 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. 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. Bird call courtesy of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

Today, we speak with Vicki Hird, author of the marvelous new book, Rebugging The Planet. We talk about the things all of us can do to stop the decline of insects, the most important food source for birds. We also talk about the new buzz phrase "soft landing" and what it means. In addition, we discuss how to tell when a bird needs rescuing and how to help a bird that is trapped inside a building. Visit Vicki Hird's blog at www.rebuggingtheplanet.org. Order her book at www.chelseagreen.com. Some things you can do to help insects: 1) encourage insects to roost in your gardens by planting native; 2) take your children or grandchildren on a bug treasure hunt; 3) rebug green spaces like schools, parking lots, parks and lawns; and 4) eat local and stop supporting monoculture farming practices. 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.

In today's episode, we are joined by the Penguin Lady, Dyan deNapoli. Dyan is a world-renowned penguin expert, TED and National Geographic speaker, and award-winning author. We talk about her delightful new children's book, All About Penguins. On today's show we also discuss how to safely feed fruits to birds and the benefits of the native shrub, Serviceberry, to birds and pollinators. 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.

Spring migration has begun and we have highly-renowned ornithologist Dr. Daniel Klem, Jr. with us to talk about his brand-new book on preventing bird window strikes, Solid Air -- Invisible Killer: Saving Billions Of Birds From Windows. He tells us about his top three deterrents for preventing bird window strikes. His book can be ordered at tinyurl.com/56r49w93 or go to: danielklemjr.org. 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. We also discuss safe nesting materials for birds as well as surviving that first trip to the garden center. 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. 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.