Everything You Want to Know About Nesting Birds with NestWatch
Release Date: 03/16/2023
How to Attract More Birds to Your Yard
Backyard Ecology™
Summary When someone decides they want to attract birds to their yard, often the first thing they do is put up a birdfeeder (or two). It’s what we did when I was a kid, and it’s what countless other people I know have done. There’s nothing wrong with putting out a birdfeeder. They’re a great way to bring the birds to locations where it’s easy for us to watch them. But, if you want to attract more birds (and better care for the ones you are already attracting), then you need to take more of an ecosystem approach. As an added bonus, you’ll also attract and provide for other...
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From Suburban Yard to Wildlife Haven: Amanda’s Story
Backyard Ecology™
Summary Amanda shares the journey she and her husband have taken to transform their small, suburban yard into a vibrant habitat for birds and pollinators. We discuss the various projects they’ve undertaken, the challenges of DIY landscaping, the importance of community support, and the positive reactions from neighbors and family. Their story shows how creating wildlife habitat can benefit both the environment and the property owners’ well-being. Amanda encourages others to start small, focus on native plants, and seek community support to achieve similar successes. Today’s guest Amanda...
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We’re back!
Backyard Ecology™
Summary I am so excited to be relaunching the Backyard Ecology™ podcast! New episodes will be released every other week, and we have some exciting guests already lined up. Going forward, in addition to the traditional audio version of the podcast episodes, there will also be a video version available for the episodes with guests. The video version will be available on the Backyard Ecology™ YouTube channel. Links and Resources YouTube channel: Website: Newsletter: Support: Thank You Thank you to our amazing Patrons who go above and beyond every month to...
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Top 10 Backyard Ecology Podcast Episodes: October 1, 2022 – October 1, 2023
Backyard Ecology™
I can’t believe that 2023 is almost over! This year has flown by! For the past several weeks, I’ve been doing top 10 roundups of the different types of Backyard Ecology content. We’ve talked about the videos, the blog articles, and the nature trivia style shorts. So, let’s wrap it up with a rundown of the top 10 podcast episodes of the year. 🦋 9b) Everything You Want to Know About Nesting Birds with NestWatch 🦋 9a) Birding Tools and Technology to Help You Be a Better Birder 🦋 8) Exploring Urban Ecology: Understanding and Appreciating Nature Where We Live ...
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Top 10 Backyard Ecology “Shorts”
Backyard Ecology™
Did you know that in addition to the regular Backyard Ecology videos that Anthony creates, he also produces a series of nature-trivia style short videos? Most of these videos are literally only a few seconds long so are perfect “bite-sized” samples if you’re just getting started or are looking for something to watch for a few seconds on your phone. So, let’s quickly run through the top 10 Backyard Ecology shorts based on number of views as of Thanksgiving 2023. Since the videos are so short, I’m just going to list the titles and let your curiosity decide whether to follow the link...
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Top 10 Backyard Ecology Blog Articles: October 2022 - October 2023
Backyard Ecology™
I always like to do roundups of the top 10 blog articles and top 10 podcast episodes at the end of every year because I know how easy it is to miss stuff. Sometimes we have the best intentions to go back and read or listening to something, but other things come up and then we forget. So, it can be helpful to have a reminder at the end of the year for some of those articles that we might have missed. Top 10 Backyard Ecology Blog Articles 🦋 10) Sometimes Life Happens: 🦋 9) Cloudless Sulphur Butterfly: A Common Fall Migrant: 🦋 8) 5 Tips for Attracting Butterflies to...
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Top 10 Backyard Ecology Videos
Backyard Ecology™
Did you know that we have a Backyard Ecology YouTube channel? If you’re like many of the blog readers and podcast listeners who responded to our 2023 end-of-year survey, then answer is “probably not.” If you are one of our frequent viewers, thank you for coming on this journey with us. We enjoy reading all your comments on the videos. If you haven’t discovered the Backyard Ecology YouTube channel, then I encourage you to check it out. To get you started, here are the top 10 Backyard Ecology videos based on the number of views as of Thanksgiving 2023. The full transcript of...
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Tips and Tricks for Growing Prairie Plants in Your Native Plant Garden
Backyard Ecology™
Did you know that for many of our most commonly grown native wildflowers and grasses, 2/3 or more of the plant is underground in the form of roots? Or that you can reduce weeding requirements in your native plant garden by understanding the root systems of different plants that you are growing? Or that there is now a resource that can help you avoid mistaking a native plant in your garden as a weed and accidentally pulling it? Today, we are talking to Hilary Cox and Neil Diboll. They are the authors of the newly published book, The Gardener's Guide to Prairie Plants. Neil is also the president...
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Resharing Your Favorites: Winter Hummingbirds
Backyard Ecology™
Did you know that some hummingbirds will overwinter in the eastern U.S.? These aren’t our normal ruby throated hummingbirds that visit our feeders and yards all summer long. These are often western species of hummingbirds, like the rufus hummingbird. Winter hummingbirds aren’t common, and they become less common the further you are from the southern coastal plains; however, they aren’t unique either. I can tell you from personal experience that it is SOOOO much fun to host one if you’re lucky enough to have one show up on your property. I originally recorded this conversation...
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Fall Cleanup in the Pollinator and Wildlife Garden: A Comprehensive Guide to What You Need to Know and Do
Backyard Ecology™
When gardening with native plants for pollinators and wildlife, much of the traditional fall cleanup for gardens is not only unnecessary but could be detrimental. And if you don’t have to do all that fall cleanup, you’ll have more time to kick back and enjoy the everchanging natural wonders around you. The full transcript of this episode can be found at: Until next week I encourage you to take some time to explore the nature in your yard and community. 🌻 🌻 🌻 If you’re listening to this in November 2023, please help us by taking our end-of-the-year survey. The survey’s results...
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Do you enjoy having birds nest on your property? Would you like to learn more about what to look for in a nest box to make it the best it can be for your birds? Are you interested in finding out how you can safely monitor your nesting birds and help scientists study nesting birds?
In this episode, I am joined by Holly Grant. Holly is the Project Assistant for NestWatch which is a community science program based out of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. We discuss a wide range of topics related to nesting birds including:
- how to attract them to your property,
- different types of nest boxes or nesting structures you can put out,
- what to do if you find a baby bird out of the nest,
- safely monitoring the bird nests on your property,
- contributing to the broader understanding of nesting birds by participating in NestWatch,
- and much more.
Oh! And if you like to put out hanging baskets, but the wrens or other birds always decide that’s where they want to nest, then you definitely want to listen to this episode. Towards the end of our conversation, Holly shares a great tip which will allow you to continue watering your plant without disturbing the nest!
Also, Anthony and I are working on a project that we’re very excited about. We’re hoping to make an announcement about it in the next couple of months. If you want to be among the first to hear about it, then be sure to subscribe to our Backyard Ecology emails. You can do so at www.backyardecology.net/subscribe. That’ll keep you up to date with everything going on in the Backyard Ecology world
And when you sign up for our emails, you’ll be able to download a free, e-book that explains why our familiar garden zones don’t mean anything when it comes to gardening with native plants. That’s just our way of saying thank you for your interest in Backyard Ecology.
Until next week, I encourage you to take some time to enjoy the nature in your own yard and community.
NestWatch links:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://nestwatch.org/
- Right Bird, Right House: https://nestwatch.org/learn/all-about-birdhouses/right-bird-right-house/
- Common Nesting Birds: https://nestwatch.org/learn/focal-species/
- Nest Monitoring Code of Conduct: https://nestwatch.org/learn/how-to-nestwatch/code-of-conduct/
- What Kind of Nest Materials are Best to Provide for Birds?: https://nestwatch.org/connect/blog/what-kind-of-nest-materials-are-best-to-provide-for-birds/
Other Resources Mentioned:
- All About Birds: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/
General Backyard Ecology Links:
- Website: https://backyardecology.net
- YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/backyardecology
- Blog: https://www.backyardecology.net/blog/
- Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/backyardecology
- Make a one-time donation: https://www.paypal.com/biz/fund?id=K7F3HJLJT9F8N
- Subscribe to Backyard Ecology emails: https://www.backyardecology.net/subscribe/
Episode image:
- Male eastern bluebird bringing an insect back to the nest box.
- Photo credit: USFWS, public domain