In this episode of The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie Foster and Laurie Horne invite listeners to take a closer look at what is happening right now in their own backyard habitat. Whether you have an apartment balcony, a small patio, a suburban yard, or acres of land, every space has the potential to support wildlife. As spring settles into the Carolinas, Debbie, Laurie, and Chris talk about the seasonal changes they are seeing and hearing — from catbirds returning and bluebirds fledging to singing frogs, butterflies, lizards, bats, deer, and even the occasional snake.

The conversation also turns practical, with timely tips for making your habitat more wildlife-friendly during spring and early summer. The hosts discuss maintaining nest boxes, keeping birdbaths clean and filled during dry weather, offering fresh food sources like live mealworms and suet, and using natural yard materials to create shelter for birds, rabbits, reptiles, and other small animals. They also explain why reducing chemical use — especially mosquito sprays, weed killers, and synthetic fertilizers — can make a big difference for the health of your backyard ecosystem. This episode is a helpful reminder that a little "mess" in the yard can be a very good thing when your goal is to welcome wildlife.

In this episode, you'll learn about:

• What spring wildlife activity to watch for in your yard
• Why every outdoor space can serve as habitat
• How to monitor and maintain bird nesting boxes
• When and how to clean out nests after fledging
• Ways to provide safe, fresh water for birds, frogs, lizards, snakes, and mammals
• Why birdbath depth, rocks, perches, misters, and drippers matter
• How fallen limbs and garden cuttings can become valuable shelter
• Why live mealworms are especially helpful during baby bird season
• How pesticides, mosquito sprays, weed killers, and fertilizers affect the food chain
• Why dandelions and native "messy" spaces can support pollinators and wildlife