Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists, the show about anything and everything connected with nature.   This week, Debbie and Laurie have a conversation around some of the weird and off the wall myths about birds they’ve heard lately. Some of which include, is the phrase “bird brain” really an insult? How about does touching a baby bird really cause the mother to abandon it and, are birds monogamous?   During the show, you hear Debbie mention a wonderful read, The Genius of Birds by...

Welcome to another exciting episode of The Backyard Naturalists podcast! As spring blooms with vibrant life, Debbie and Laurie delve into the world of advanced bird feeding, exploring Bird Feeding 2.0. From the allure of black oil sunflower seeds to the strategic placement of multiple feeders near trees and bushes, this episode unlocks the secrets to attracting a diverse array of avian visitors to your backyard. Discover the allure of shelled peanuts for blue jays, the importance of live...

Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists podcast! In this episode, Debbie and Laurie dive deep into the world of conservation with special guest Ashleigh Blackford, a seasoned wildlife biologist with a wealth of experience, notably in the California Condor Recovery program.   Join us as we explore the fascinating journey of the California condor, a majestic bird with a wingspan of up to nine and a half feet, facing challenges from habitat loss to lead poisoning. Discover how biologists like...

Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists podcast, where we explore all things nature-related! In this episode, Debbie and Laurie delve into Earth Day 2024, which falls on April 22nd with the theme "Planet versus Plastics." They discuss the multifaceted approach to going green, highlighting the five Rs: refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose, and recycle.     They also emphasize the importance of composting to reduce food waste and share insights on how individuals can contribute to the Planet...

  Welcome to another exciting episode of The Backyard Naturalists podcast, where we explore all things nature-related! This week, hosts Debbie and Laurie are thrilled to have Shubber Ali, the CEO of Garden for Wildlife by National Wildlife Federation, join the conversation.   Shubber shares insights into his incredible work leading a for-profit spinoff aimed at restoring our environment. We delve into the North Carolina Wildlife Federation's Garden for Wildlife project, highlighting its...

Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists, the show about anything and everything connected with nature.   A.         UNCC – 4/11-4/13 – 4/11 is for members 1.      Plant sale proceeds and membership fees enable the Gardens to continue to offer free admission to our gardens and greenhouse and discounted programming for all. 2.       native wildflowers, butterfly and hummingbird plants, azaleas, hydrangeas, fruiting shrubs, ferns, colorful annuals, unusual ornamental and native trees &...

  Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists podcast, where we explore the wonders of nature in every corner of the world. In this episode, Debbie and Laurie dive into the fascinating world of hummingbirds as they embark on their migratory journey to North America.   From the incredible 3500-mile migration of the ruby-throated hummingbird to tips on attracting these tiny marvels to your backyard with native plants and Backyard Birds products, this episode is packed with insights and practical...

Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists, the show that delves into anything and everything connected with nature! Whether you’re a seasoned nature enthusiast or a curious novice, our podcast is your gateway to the wonders of your own outdoor space. Join us on a journey that celebrates the beauty of your backyard as we explore captivating topics. In this week’s episode, we tackle a common question: How do you keep those pesky squirrels away from bird feeders? Debbie and Laurie share affordable...

Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists, the captivating podcast that delves into the wonders of nature! Broadcasting across 115 countries, all 50 states, and throughout the picturesque Carolinas, our show has garnered acclaim, including the prestigious Best of the Weeklies award from the readers of the Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly.   In this episode, we’re joined by the remarkable Lenny Lampel, a seasoned natural resources supervisor at Mecklenburg County Parks and Rec. Lenny wears another hat...

Welcome back, fellow nature enthusiasts, to another captivating episode of The Backyard Naturalist! We're thrilled to share that our podcast continues to soar, reaching over 50,000 listens spanning across all 50 states, 115 countries, and even resonating in the lush landscapes of Ireland and India.   Your support truly fuels our passion for exploring the wonders of the natural world. In this episode, titled "Things That Go Bump in the Night," we're embarking on an auditory adventure. Get...

Thank you for joining us for another exciting episode of The Backyard Naturalists, where we explore the wonders of the natural world. We're thrilled to have received comments and reviews from listeners all over the globe via Apple Podcasts! We're honored to be heard in 115 countries, all 50 states, and cherished throughout the Carolinas, and we're especially grateful for winning the Best of the Weeklies podcast award from the readers of the Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly.   Our mission is to...

Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists, the show about anything and everything connected with nature. Sometimes, folks can get overwhelmed and confused when they begin the hobby of bird feeding. Which feeder should you buy? Is there a certain type of seed you should purchase? How much money should you invest? How do you keep predators (and squirrels) from your feeders? These are all question Laurie and her team hears every day at Backyard Birds and, in this episode of the Backyard Naturalists...

In this thought-provoking episode of The Backyard Naturalists, Monica McCoubrie, a distinguished wildlife educator from Nebraska Games and Parks, delves into the intriguing question: do animals grieve?   Join us as we explore the depths of animal emotions and behaviors, examining the signs of grief observed in various species. From dogs sensing loss to the complex emotional lives of creatures in the wild, Monica offers fascinating insights backed by scientific research. As we unravel the...

Welcome, nature enthusiasts, to another captivating episode of The Backyard Naturalists! This week, join hosts Debbie and Laurie as they engage in a fascinating conversation with Kathy Zagzebski, the dedicated executive director of the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center, situated just north of Wilmington, North Carolina.   Founded by the indomitable Jean Beasley, the center stands as a testament to a lifelong commitment to the well-being of sea turtles. Kathy sheds...

Welcome, nature enthusiasts, to another captivating episode of The Backyard Naturalists podcast! We're thrilled to be reaching listeners in 115 countries, all 50 states, and across the beautiful Carolinas. A proud recipient of the Best of the Weeklies podcast award from the Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly, our podcast continues to explore the wonders of nature.   This week, hosts Debbie and Laurie dive into a thought-provoking conversation with the esteemed Monica Macoubrie from the Nebraska...

In this riveting episode of The Backyard Naturalists, we delve into the awe-inspiring world of ospreys with our esteemed guest, Dr. Rob Bierregaard, a distinguished research associate at the Academy of Natural Sciences.   Dr. Bierregaard's passion for raptors is contagious, and today, we shift our focus from the haunting calls of barred owls to the magnificent ospreys. Discover the remarkable journey of ospreys, once decimated by DDT in New England, now thriving with over 112 pairs...

Whether you're a first-time listener or a loyal supporter, welcome back to The Backyard Naturalists, the podcast that explores the wonders of nature. We're thrilled to have you with us in 115 countries, all 50 states, and throughout the picturesque Carolinas. A huge shoutout to our amazing listeners for helping us secure the Best of the Weeklies podcast award from the readers of the Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly.   In today's episode, we're delighted to welcome back naturalist Stan Tekiela, a...

Greetings, nature enthusiasts! In this riveting episode of The Backyard Naturalists, we embark on a captivating exploration of the complex issue surrounding Burmese pythons in the Everglades. Join us as Captain Rusty Shaw, a distinguished member of the Miami Dade Fire Rescue Venom One Response Team, sheds light on the challenges posed by these invasive snakes.   From unraveling the mysteries of their introduction to the Everglades to estimating their burgeoning population, Captain Shaw...

Welcome, Backyard Naturalists! In this special episode, we're thrilled to have the incredible Stan Tekiela join us, a true Renaissance man in the world of nature. With over 40 years of experience as a naturalist, Stan brings a wealth of knowledge to our backyard. A gifted photographer, tour leader, and columnist in more than 20 newspapers, his biweekly column reaches over 750,000 readers.   Brace yourselves, listeners, as Stan is also the author of an astounding 190 books and CDs, not to...

Welcome to another captivating episode of The Backyard Naturalists! In this week's exploration of the wonders of nature, hosts Debbie and Laurie (joined by Chris) delve into the intriguing world of mistletoe, a parasitic plant with more than 1500 species found globally.   Tune in as they unravel the mysteries surrounding this unique plant, its diverse host trees, and the varying impacts it can have on its hosts – sometimes benign, other times detrimental. Forget the plastic versions from...

Welcome back, nature enthusiasts! In this week's episode of The Backyard Naturalists, hosts Debbie and Laurie embark on an enlightening conversation with Lynn Rivera, the Trail Master at Carolina Thread Trail.   Join us as we dive into the expansive world of this remarkable project, originally conceived to weave an intricate network of trails throughout the 15-county metro Charlotte area, reaching into South Carolina. With 300 miles of trails already established, the ambitious goal is to...

Welcome to a special seasonal episode of The Backyard Naturalists podcast! In this episode, we delve into the age-old debate of artificial vs. real Christmas trees. As we explore the ecological impact, we discover that artificial trees, despite their convenience, have a threefold negative impact on climate change and resource depletion, and they often end up in landfills. But fear not, we'll share a way to mitigate these drawbacks if you still prefer an artificial tree.   It's fascinating...

Welcome to a brand new episode of The Backyard Naturalists, the show that brings the wonders of nature to your ears. We're thrilled to have you joining us from 115 countries, all 50 states, and our beautiful Carolinas. We're particularly excited about today's episode as we welcome back our friend, Marvin Bouknight, the host of "Walkin' on the Wild Side" podcast. In this episode, Debbie and Laurie dive deep into the intriguing world of armadillos, or as Debbie and Chris affectionately call...

Welcome to a captivating episode of The Backyard Naturalists! In this week's installment, hosts Debbie and Laurie delve into the intriguing world of the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue's Venom One Response Team.   Joining them is the distinguished Captain Rusty Shaw, who provides invaluable insights into the team's origin, mission, and the remarkable individuals who make it all possible. Tune in as they explore the rigorous training and background requirements that equip these heroes for their...