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Today we hear about the wonderful organization Grow Native Massachusetts and their gigantic native plant sale on June 2nd and 3rd! Executive Director Heather Pruiksma also tells us all about the educational opportunities the organization is offering to the public. Website: grownativemass.org. Info on Gray Birch at https://tinyurl.com/3kje9vfc. Info on Chokecherry at https://tinyurl.com/2apvjm54. Find inaturalist app at inaturalist.org. Find Picture This Plant ID app at picturethisai.com. Dichotomous plant key at https://tinyurl.com/4sheuf2t. 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 birdhuggerpodcast@gmail.com. (PG-13) St. Dymphna Press, LLC.

Did you know seagulls evolved a loud and raucous cry so they could be heard over the crash of waves and surf? Or that grassland songbirds evolved a buzzing and trilling call so they could be heard through the turbulence and wind shear of the open prairie? Today, we speak with award-winning biologist David George Haskell, author of the critically acclaimed book, Sounds Wild And Broken, about the evolution of bird song. Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured wild birds, 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 birdhuggerpodcast@gmail.com. (PG-13) St. Dymphna Press, LLC.

Hugger is on her way back north! On today's show we get the long-awaited news on Hugger's northward migration. We are joined by Broad-Winged Hawk expert Dr. Laurie Goodrich from Hawk Mountain Sanctuary for all of the details. We will also discuss how to help injured birds and talk about some new native plant sources in New England. 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 birdhuggerpodcast@gmail.com. (PG-13) St. Dymphna Press, LLC.

Your average American moves to a new home 4-5 times over the course of a lifetime. So what happens if you have native plants you want to take with you to your new home? Today, we speak with horticulturalist and native design expert Marie Chieppo about how to safely remove and relocate native plants. Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured wild birds, 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 birdhuggerpodcast@gmail.com. (PG-13) St. Dymphna Press, LLC.

Each year the Florida Keys Hawk Watch bird counters stand on the observation deck at the campground at Curry Hammock State Park (Marathon) in the Florida Keys to count the number of migrating raptors. We speak with counter Mariah Hryniewich about what those numbers are telling us. Florida Keys Hawk Watch at https://floridakeyshawkwatch.com; Avian Research and Conservation Institute at https://www.arcinst.org; Hawk Watch International at https://hawkwatch.org; Hawk Migration Association of North America at https://www.hmana.org; Hawk Count at hawkcount.org; Curry Hammock State Park at https://tinyurl.com/bdezpn8f; Swallow Tailed Kite at https://tinyurl.com/ec45r7n6; and Peregrine Falcon at https://tinyurl.com/y32yuve6. Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured wild birds, 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 birdhuggerpodcast@gmail.com. (PG-13) St. Dymphna Press, LLC.

The Florida Everglades was once six million acres of pristine wilderness. Today, it has been literally cut in half to three million acres and has been logged, burned, drained, developed and sequestered into sloughs and canals -- all of which are having monumental impacts on the birds and other wildlife that call the Everglades their home. We speak with two special guests today, Keely Weyker and Cesar Becerra, about the importance of the Florida Everglades -- and the measures being taken to restore it. The fate of the wildlife, particularly the birds, hangs in the balance. To find out more about Keely Weyker and the Everglades Foundation go to www.evergladesfoundation.org. To find out more about Cesar Becerra go to www.sofloweird.com. Info on Marjorie Stoneman Douglas at https://www.nps.gov/ever/learn/historyculture/msdouglas.htm. 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 birdhuggerpodcast@gmail.com. (PG-13) St. Dymphna Press, LLC.

Today we have an exclusive interview with Nadeem Shehzad, one of the two brothers featured in the captivating Academy Award-nominated documentary, All That Breathes. This touching film shows the work of two young men attempting to help injured wild birds in New Delhi, India, particularly the Black Kite. As Nadeem says in the interview, "the animals are just trying to live their lives" despite toxic air pollution stemming from human overpopulation and the dangers of competitive kite flying. Film reviewers are calling this documentary "transcendent" and "spiritually uplifting." FULL INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPT AVAILABLE BELOW. 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 birdhuggerpodcast@gmail.com. (PG-13) St. Dymphna Press, LLC.

Did you know there is an International Osprey Foundation headquartered on Sanibel Island in Florida? Today, we speak with Kathryn Brintnall, president of the foundation, about ongoing efforts to protect the Osprey. We also discuss the effects of Hurricane Ian on Osprey populations. Go to the International Osprey Foundation at www.ospreys.com; go to the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) at https://sccf.org/; go to the J.N. Ding Darling National Refuge website at https://www.fws.gov/refuge/jn-ding-darling; go to the Clinic For The Rehabilitation of Wildlife (C.R.O.W.) website at https://crowclinic.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 birdhuggerpodcast@gmail.com. (PG-13) St. Dymphna Press, LLC.

Did you know the Florida Scrub Jay is a hoarder? A hoarder of acorns from the Scrub Oak tree, that is! On today's show, we talk with Jacqui Sulek, an expert with Florida Audubon on the endemic Florida Scrub Jay. We talk about the challenges facing this extremely intelligent bird and its endangered habitat. For more information, go to: Florida Scrub Jay at https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/florida-scrub-jay; Audubon Florida at https://fl.audubon.org/; Archbold Biological Station at https://www.archbold-station.org/; Florida Forever at https://floridadep.gov/floridaforever; and Ocala National Forest at https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/florida/recarea/?recid=83528. 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 birdhuggerpodcast@gmail.com. (PG-13) St. Dymphna Press, LLC.

Did you know Burrowing Owls raise their young in underground tunnels? In today's episode, we talk about the fascinating Burrowing Owl with Brittany Piersma, a field biologist with the Audubon of the Western Everglades. Brittany is conducting important research of the Burrowing Owl on Marco Island in Florida. She also helps to run the Owl Watch Program, Seabird Stewardship Program and the Gopher Tortoise Program. Go to the Owl Watch Program at https://www.audubonwe.org/about-1-1. Learn more about the Starter Burrow Program at https://www.audubon.org/news/where-burrowing-owls-are-your-neighbors. Go to the Seabird Stewardship Program at https://www.audubonwe.org/about-1. Go to the Gopher Tortoise Program at https://www.audubonwe.org/copy-of-owl-watch. Go to Conservation Collier at https://www.colliercountyfl.gov/government/public-services/divisions/conservation-collier?locale=ht. 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 birdhuggerpodcast@gmail.com. (PG-13) St. Dymphna Press, LLC.

Did you know 1,000 people move to Florida every single day? Join us for a talk with Ginny Stibolt, author of the wonderful new book, Adventures Of A Transplanted Gardener, as she tells us all about the delights and challenges of native gardening for birds and butterflies in the Sunshine State. This book is essential if you are planning to retire in Florida or if you are a Snowbird with a winter home in Florida. Florida Native Plant Society: www.fnps.org. Native plants mentioned in this episode: Sunshine Mimosas; Rice Button Asters; Beautyberry Bush; Wax Myrtle Bush; and Coral Honeysuckle Vine; Fire Bush; and Tropical Sage. 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 birdhuggerpodcast@gmail.com. (PG-13) St. Dymphna Press, LLC.

Join us for the BIRD HUGGER Year-End Wrap Up! We are also speaking with Kim Eierman, author of the fantastic new book, The Pollinator Victory Garden. Find out more about Kim at her website: www.ecobeneficial.com. HAPPY NEW YEAR! Some larval host plants for moths: native black cherry tree; willows (including pussy willow); raspberries; carolina rose; and spirea. Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured birds, 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 birdhuggerpodcast@gmail.com. (PG-13) St. Dymphna Press, LLC.

Join us for some good cheer on the BIRD HUGGER Holiday Special! Author Marta McDowell is our guest as we discuss her book about The Secret Garden, the delightful children's tale written by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Happy Holidays to all! For more info on Unearthing The Secret Garden: The Plants and Places That Inspired Frances Hodgson Burnett by Marta McDowell, go to workman.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 birdhuggerpodcast@gmail.com. (PG-13) St. Dymphna Press, LLC.

In today's episode, we talk with Uli Lorimer, horticulture director at the Native Plant Trust and author of the new book, The Northeast Native Plant Primer: 235 Plants for an Earth-Friendly Garden. We talk about why natives are so important for birds and other wildlife. Uli will also walk us through the various successions of plants that occur once you turn your lawn into a meadow as well as some recommendations of native annuals to plant. 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 birdhuggerpodcast@gmail.com. (PG-13) St. Dymphna Press, LLC.

Did you know the Nighthawk is not a hawk and is not a nocturnal bird? Confusing, right? In today's episode we have Phil Brown from the Harris Center for Conservation Education to explain the biology and behavior of this elusive and mysterious bird. We will also talk about the Harris Center's brand new Nighthawk Monitoring program. For more information on Project Nighthawk go to https://tinyurl.com/27n8cvs4. 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 birdhuggerpodcast@gmail.com. (PG-13) St. Dymphna Press, LLC.

In today's episode, we talk with Derek Gow, author of the brand-new book, Birds, Beasts and Bedlam: Turning My Farm Into An Ark For Lost Species. Derek is a farmer turned revolutionary rewilder and he tells us about his adventures, sometimes controversial, of re-establishing wildlife species, like the White Stork, in England. For more information on this book and his other book: Bringing Back The Beaver go to https://www.chelseagreen.com/product/bringing-back-the-beaver-pb/. For more on Aldo Leopold go to https://www.aldoleopold.org. See more on Gabe Brown at http://brownsranch.us. 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 birdhuggerpodcast@gmail.com. (PG-13) St. Dymphna Press, LLC.

Spooky! Scary! Happy Halloween! Pull up a chair in front of the fire and grab a cup of hot cider. We've got a frighteningly good show for you, including a few tales that may send shivers up your spine! Hear the legend of Crom Dubh. Also click on this link to hear the sad and creepy call of the Ghost Bird or Common Potoo: https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/491293971. 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 birdhuggerpodcast@gmail.com. (PG-13) St. Dymphna Press, LLC.

In today's episode, we talk with Dr. Rebecca McCabe, an avian biologist from Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Pennsylvania, about the migration of the Broad-Winged Hawk. Dr. McCabe works with Dr. Laurie Goodrich, the founder of the Broad-Winged Hawk Project. We will also get an update on Hugger, the hawk we are sponsoring with a location transmitter for their research. For more info go to hawkmountain.org and hawkcount.org. You can also track Hugger's progress by going to the Broad-Winged Hawk Project page on Facebook. 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 birdhuggerpodcast@gmail.com. (PG-13) St. Dymphna Press, LLC.

In today's episode, we speak with avian biologist Danielle D'Auria, who works at the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife for the State of Maine. Danielle will tell us all about the Heron Observation Network of Maine and what information she is discovering that will help protect Great Blue herons and their rookeries. To help the state of Maine protect birds, please go to www.maine.gov/ifw/fish-wildlife/wildlife/support-wildlife/birder-band.html. 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 birdhuggerpodcast@gmail.com. (PG-13) St. Dymphna Press, LLC.

In today's episode, we talk about the long, slow death of the American lawn and how more and more Americans are embracing the planting of natives in their front yards. We also discuss how to spot trouble in your garden caused by erratic weather due to climate change -- and what you can do about it. 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 birdhuggerpodcast@gmail.com. (PG-13) St. Dymphna Press, LLC.