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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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 ...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
Did you know there is a group of native plants which can be highly adaptable, can serve multiple functions in our gardens, and perhaps even be a backbone component to our home landscapes, but which has historically been overlooked for those purposes? This group of native plants is the sedges, or more specifically, members of the genus Carex.
In this episode of the Backyard Ecology podcast, we talk with Sam Hoadley about sedges and their use in the home garden and landscape. Sam is the Manager of Horticultural Research at Mt. Cuba Center in Delaware.
Recently, Mt. Cuba Center released their Carex trial report. This report evaluated 70 species and cultivars of Carex over 4 years for garden and landscape use in the Mid-Atlantic Region. During our conversation, Sam and I talk about how Mt. Cuba Center’s trials are conducted, the importance of sedges / Carex species, how they can be used in the garden or home landscape, and many other topics.
Sedges may not produce the colorful, flashy flowers that we often think about and are drawn to when we are picking native plants to use in our home landscapes or pollinator and wildlife gardens, but they are definitely worth considering. Not only do they have their own innate beauty, but they can also serve so many different functions in the garden and landscape – including filling in so called “problem areas” or serving as a potential lawn alternative.
We have lots of exciting opportunities planned with Backyard Ecology over the next several months. If you want to keep up with everything going on in the Backyard Ecology world, then please subscribe to our emails. You can do so at www.backyardecology.net/subscribe.
And when you sign up for our emails, you’ll be sent a link to download a free, e-book that explains why our familiar garden zones, aren’t important when it comes to gardening with native plants. That’s just our way of saying thank you for your interest in Backyard Ecology.
Episode Resources:
Sam’s email: [email protected]
Carex Trial Report: https://mtcubacenter.org/trials/carex-for-the-mid-atlantic-region/
Past Trial Reports: https://mtcubacenter.org/research/trial-garden/
Mt. Cuba Center webpage: https://mtcubacenter.org/
Mt. Cuba Center Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MtCubaCenter/
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:
Pennsylvania sedge (Carex pensylvanica)
Photo credit: Brian Hunt, cc-by