Backyard Ecology™

Summary Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) is a beautiful native plant that can be found throughout most of the eastern U.S. and makes a great addition to pollinator and native plant gardens. It can grow in a variety of sunny to mostly sunny conditions and will provide instant gratification in the form of bright yellow flowers the first year. Those flowers will benefit a wide variety of butterflies, bees, flower flies, and seed-eating insects. 3 things you’ll learn from this episode: Other Backyard Ecology™ resources: Discover Your Next Steps Habitat Creation QuizBackyard Ecology™ Community Thank you Thank you to our amazing Patrons who go above and beyond every month to provide financial support which helps us create so much free content for everyone to enjoy and learn from.

Summary Paula Whyman shares her journey of trying to restore and manage a remnant prairie located on a Virginia mountaintop. Our conversation touches upon some of the challenges she faced, lessons she’s learned, and exciting discoveries she’s made along the way. Whether you're managing a small backyard or large acreage, Paula's story provides valuable insights and motivation for fostering pollinator and wildlife habitat. Today’s guest Paula Whyman is an avid nature enthusiast and the author of the book, Bad Naturalist: One Woman’s Ecological Education on a Wild Virginia Mountaintop. 3 things you’ll learn from this episode: Resources Paula mentioned: Paula’s website Bad Naturalist’s NewsletterBad Naturalist: One Woman’s Ecological Education on a Wild Virginia MountaintopDigital endoscope for monitoring nestboxes * affiliate links – We receive a small commission for purchases made through these links, but it comes at no extra cost to you. All commissions that we receive through these links goes toward producing Backyard Ecology™ content. We appreciate your support. Other Backyard Ecology™ resources Backyard Ecology™ CommunityDiscover Your Next Steps Habitat Creation Quiz Thank you Thank you to our amazing Patrons who go above and beyond every month to provide financial support which helps us create so much free content for everyone to enjoy and learn from.

Summary Hummingbirds are probably one of the most beloved groups of birds that people want to attract to their yards. In this episode, I share 10 of my favorite native plants for attracting hummingbirds to gardens in the eastern U.S. 3 things you’ll learn from this episode Other Backyard Ecology™ resources Hummingbirds Can't Resist These Native Vines!Want More Hummingbirds? You NEED Eastern Columbine Choose the Best Native Milkweed for Your Eastern U.S. Garden Discover Red, White, and Blue Lobelias For Pollinators!Native Jewelweed - 10 Reasons to Grow this Annual! Hummingbird Feeding: The Ultimate Guide!Discover Your Next Steps Habitat Creation QuizBackyard Ecology™ Community Thank you Thank you to our amazing Patrons who go above and beyond every month to provide financial support which helps us create so much free content for everyone to enjoy and learn from.

Summary In this episode, we focus on the fascinating world of moths and why gardening for moths is so im-portant for any backyard ecologist. We also talk about specific native plants grow to attract moths, simple ways to observe moths, practical tips for photographing moths at night, and much more. From pollination by fuzzy moth eyeballs to carnivorous moth caterpillars, this episode is full of sto-ries and information you won’t want to miss. Today’s guest Jim McCormac is an author, photographer, and conservationist. He worked for the Ohio Depart-ment of Natural Resources for 31 years as a botanist, and later specializing in wildlife diversity pro-jects for the Division of Wildlife. Jim has authored or co-authored several books including Garden-ing for Moths: A Regional Guide. 3 things you’ll learn from this episode Bonus content Jim’s Tips for Observing and Photographing Moths Resources Jim mentioned Gardening for Moths: A Regional Guide*Caterpillars of Eastern North America: A Guide to Identification and Natural HistoryA Naturalist's Guide to the Odonata of Ohio*Jim’s photography websiteJim’s blogMothapalooza * affiliate links – We receive a small commission for purchases made through these links, but it comes at no extra cost to you. All commissions that we receive through these links goes toward producing Backyard Ecology™ content. We appreciate your support. Other Backyard Ecology resources Discover Your Next StepsSedge vs Rush vs Grass Learn the SECRET to Tell Them Apart! Thank you Thank you to our amazing Patrons who go above and beyond every month to provide financial support which helps us create so much free content for everyone to enjoy and learn from.

Summary Our native Vacciniums, what we commonly call the blueberries, are keystone plants which support tons of pollinators and wildlife. They also produce yummy berries which we can eat. In this episode, we talk about 9 species that are native to at least some part of the eastern U.S., and are relatively easy to find for sale at native plant nurseries. 3 things you’ll learn from this episode: Other Backyard Ecology™ resources Discover Your Next StepsBackyard Ecology™ Community Thank you Thank you to our amazing Patrons who go above and beyond every month to provide financial support which helps us create so much free content for everyone to enjoy and learn from.

Summary Milkweeds are a common component of butterfly and pollinator gardens. Not only are they important for monarch caterpillars, but they are also used by a wide variety of pollinators. There are lots of different species of milkweed that are native to the eastern U.S. and have the potential to work really well in home gardens. In this episode we discuss 10 species that are native to most of the eastern U.S. and responsible ways to obtain those species. 3 things you’ll learn from this episode: Other Backyard Ecology™ resources: Discover Your Next StepsDoug Tallamy on the Cultivar vs Wild Type Debate!Join the Backyard Ecology™ Community Thank you Thank you to our amazing Patrons who go above and beyond every month to provide financial support which helps us create so much free content for everyone to enjoy and learn from.

Summary In this episode, we dive deep into Laurel Wilt Disease which is a vascular wilt disease affecting trees in the Lauraceae family, such as sassafras, spicebush, and redbay. We discuss its history, how it spreads, ecological and cultural impacts of the disease, current management options, and challenges associated with managing the disease. We also explore potential future research directions and highlight the important role that each of us can play in monitoring for the disease and slowing its spread. Today’s guest Dr. Albert, Bud, Mayfield is a Research Entomologist with the Southern Research Station of the USDA Forest Service. He has been studying and working with Laurel Wilt Disease since the mid-2000s. 3 things you’ll learn from this episode: Bonus content: Symptoms of Laurel Wilt Disease (and what to do if you see them) Resources Bud mentioned: Map Showing Laurel Wilt Distribution Other Backyard Ecology resources: Discover Your Next StepsSassafras Facts That Will Surprise You!Spicebush Super Shrub for Songbirds Butterflies Thank you Thank you to our amazing Patrons who go above and beyond every month to provide financial support which helps us create so much free content for everyone to enjoy and learn from.

Summary The Virginia strawberry (Fragaria virginiana) is our most widespread native wild strawberry in the eastern U.S. It supports a wide range of pollinators and wildlife. It can also make an amazing groundcover in a native plant garden. However, this is not the wild strawberry that most people find growing in their yards and garden beds. 3 things you’ll learn from this episode Other helpful Backyard Ecology™ resources: The Backyard Ecologist’s NewsletterThe Backyard Ecology™ Community Thank you Thank you to our amazing Patrons who go above and beyond every month to provide financial support which helps us create so much free content for everyone to enjoy and learn from. If you would like personalized help creating your own pollinator and wildlife habitat, then we invite you to join the Backyard Ecology™ Community. Because while there’s lots of great “big picture” information available about creating pollinator gardens or larger habitats for pollinators and wildlife. There are far fewer opportunities to say, “This is what I want to do. This is what I’m struggling with. How do I make it work on my property?” That’s part of what the Backyard Ecology™ Community offers its members every day. Learn more: https://www.backyardecology.net/community/

Summary Each fall, the beautiful, rich, purple blooms of ironweeds (Vernonia spp.) grace fields and open areas throughout much of the eastern U.S. They are an ecological powerhouse for pollinators and wildlife, including a specialist bee. Ironweeds can make amazing additions to our native plant gardens where they serve as biodiversity magnets. In this episode, we discuss Mt. Cuba Center’s Vernonia Report which includes information about how multiple ironweed species performed in the garden trials, the importance of garden soils and conditions to plant growth and health, how plant health can impact pollinator use, and potential management techniques. Today’s guest Sam Hoadley is the Manager of Horticultural Research at Mt. Cuba Center where he evaluates native plant species, old and new cultivars, and hybrids in the Trial Garden. 3 things you’ll learn from this episode: Resources Sam mentioned: Vernonia trial reportPrevious trial reportsMt. Cuba Center Other Backyard Ecology resources Butterfly Garden Ironweeds – Definitive Guide!Backyard Ecology Community Thank you Thank you to our amazing Patrons who go above and beyond every month to provide financial support which helps us create so much free content for everyone to enjoy and learn from.

Summary While carpenter bees get a bad rap, they are also important pollinators and play a vital role in the ecosystem. Their bad reputation can also sometimes be overblown. So, let’s talk a little bit about carpenter bees, why they are important, and how to discourage them from nesting in places where you don’t want them. 3 things you’ll learn from this episode: Other helpful Backyard Ecology™ resources: The Backyard Ecologist’s NewsletterThe Backyard Ecology™ Community Thank you Thank you to our amazing Patrons who go above and beyond every month to provide financial support which helps us create so much free content for everyone to enjoy and learn from. If you would like personalized help creating your own pollinator and wildlife habitat, then we invite you to join the Backyard Ecology™ Community. Because while there’s lots of great “big picture” information available about creating pollinator gardens or larger habitats for pollinators and wildlife. There are far fewer opportunities to say, “This is what I want to do. This is what I’m struggling with. How do I make it work on my property?” That’s part of what the Backyard Ecology™ Community offers its members every day. Learn more: https://www.backyardecology.net/community/

Summary Dr. Doug Tallamy shares the story of how he and his wife transformed their newly built home located on a former hayfield into a thriving forest ecosystem. We talk about how they got started, their struggles along the way, the habitat wins they’ve celebrated, and what his next steps are for his property. He also shares what he’s most excited about, his thoughts on creating habitat that you can maintain as you get older, information about his newest book, and much more. Today’s guest Dr. Doug Tallamy has been an entomologist at the University of Delaware for 44 years and is the author of such well-known books as Bringing Nature Home, Nature’s Best Hope, and The Nature of Oaks. His newest book is How Can I Help?: Saving Nature with Your Yard. He is also the co-founder of Homegrown National Parks. 3 things you’ll learn from this episode: Resources Doug mentioned: Bringing Nature HomeNature’s Best HopeThe Nature of OaksHow Can I Help?: Saving Nature with Your YardHomegrown National ParksNative Plants for Container Gardens * affiliate links – We receive a small commission for purchases made through these links, but it comes at no extra cost to you. All commissions that we receive through these links goes toward producing Backyard Ecology™ content. We appreciate your support. Other Backyard Ecology resources: Backyard Ecology Community Thank you Thank you to our amazing Patrons who go above and beyond every month to provide financial support which helps us create so much free content for everyone to enjoy and learn from.

Summary Darkness is a vital, and often overlooked, component of our ecosystems. Unfortunately, we’re losing it to light pollution. Decreasing the light pollution around your home will not only benefit the environment but will also benefit you because you’ll be able to see better without all the excess glare and will save money because you aren’t paying to light up the sky. 3 things you’ll learn from this episode: Studies mentioned in this episode: Light pollution wastes energy and money and damages the climateThe new world atlas of artificial night sky brightnessCitizen scientists report global rapid reductions in the visibility of stars from 2011 to 2022 Other Backyard Ecology resources: BirdCast: Revealing the Mysteries of Bird MigrationLight Pollution and Its Impacts on Birds and Other Wildlife Thank you Thank you to our amazing Patrons who go above and beyond every month to provide financial support which helps us create so much free content for everyone to enjoy and learn from. Opportunity for ongoing coaching and support If you would like personalized help creating your own pollinator and wildlife habitat, then we invite you to join the Backyard Ecology™ Community. Because while there’s lots of great “big picture” information available about creating pollinator gardens or larger habitats for pollinators and wildlife. There are far fewer opportunities to say, “This is what I want to do. This is what I’m struggling with. How do I make it work on my property?” That’s part of what the Backyard Ecology™ Community offers its members every day. Learn more: https://www.backyardecology.net/community/

Summary Twice a year billions of birds migrate across the U.S. We’ve only recently discovered just how large that number really is. Being able to quantify that number is thanks to a large degree to a program called BirdCast which anyone from backyard birders to scientists to emergency managers can use. Join us as we dive into the fascinating world of bird migration. Today’s guest Dr. Andrew Farnsworth is a visiting scientist at Cornell Lab of Ornithology and a member of the BirdCast Team, which is using radar to track and study bird migrations over the U.S. 3 things you’ll learn from this episode: Resources Andrew mentioned: BirdCasteBird Other Backyard Ecology resources: The Backyard Ecologist’s Newsletter Thank you Thank you to our amazing Patrons who go above and beyond every month to provide financial support which helps us create so much free content for everyone to enjoy and learn from.

Summary As gardeners, it’s common to get the gardening itch in late winter and early spring. The temptation to finish cleaning up our gardens during this time is a natural temptation. However, when doing your spring garden cleanup, it’s important to remember why you didn’t do those activities in the fall. Remembering that can help you choose what to do and when so that you can best support the pollinators and wildlife that visit your property. 3 things you’ll learn from this episode: Other Backyard Ecology resources: Fall Cleanup in the Pollinator and Wildlife Garden: A Comprehensive Guide to What You Need to Know and Do2 SIMPLE Solutions for Fall Pollinator Garden Care!Should I Mow My Yard in May? The No Mow May Debate Thank you Thank you to our amazing Patrons who go above and beyond every month to provide financial support which helps us create so much free content for everyone to enjoy and learn from. Get customized help There are lots of great “big picture” information available about creating pollinator gardens or larger habitats for pollinators and wildlife. But, there are far fewer opportunities to say, “This is what I want to do. This is what I’m struggling with. How do I make it work on my property?” That’s part of what the Backyard Ecology™ Community offers its members every day. If you live in the eastern U.S. and would like personalized help creating your own pollinator and wildlife habitat, then we invite you to join the Backyard Ecology™ Community. Learn more: https://www.backyardecology.net/community/

Summary Ground nesting bees represent a significant portion of our native bee population, yet they often go unnoticed due to their solitary nature and unique nesting habits. In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of ground nesting bees and how we can get involved in their study and conservation. Today’s guest Dr. Jordan Kueneman is a research associate in the Danforth lab of Entomology at Cornell University. He is also the creator of the Ground Nesting Bee project on iNaturalist where he is collecting observations of ground-nesting bee aggregations. 3 things you’ll learn from this episode: Bonus content: Tips on how to identify ground nesting bees Resources Jordan mentioned: Ground Nesting Bees iNaturalist ProjectProject GNBee websiteInstagram Other Backyard Ecology resources: 3 Tree Groups That Provide Early Season Bee Food!Discover Your Next Steps Thank you Thank you to our amazing Patrons who go above and beyond every month to provide financial support which helps us create so much free content for everyone to enjoy and learn from.

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 wildlife and pollinators – something bird feeders alone will never accomplish. 3 things you’ll learn from this episode Other Backyard Ecology resources Leave Standing Dead Trees (When Safe)Create a Brush PilePlant Native GrassesThink About Layers Thank you Thank you to our amazing Patrons who go above and beyond every month to provide financial support which helps us create so much free content for everyone to enjoy and learn from. Get help If you would like personalized help creating your own pollinator and wildlife habitat, then we encourage you to check out the Backyard Ecology™ Community. Because there’s lots of great “big picture” information available about creating pollinator gardens or larger habitats for pollinators and wildlife. But, what’s lacking are opportunities to say, “This is what I want to do. This is what I’m struggling with. How do I make it work on my property?” That’s part of what the Backyard Ecology™ Community offers its members every day. Learn more: https://www.backyardecology.net/community/

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 is a mom, medical writer, former biomedical researcher, and nature enthusiast who lives in middle Tennessee on a small, suburban lot. I met Amanda about a year ago when she joined a small group coaching program we were offering in the Backyard Ecology™ Community. She dove right in and continued as community member after the coaching program was done. 3 things you’ll learn from this episode Bonus content Amanda’s Checklist for Creating a Thriving Backyard Ecosystem Resources Amanda mentioned Backyard Ecology CommunityWild OnesThe Habitat Connection Other Backyard Ecology resources Attract Backyard Birds with an Ecosystem Approach!Discover Your Next Steps Thank you Thank you to our amazing Patrons who go above and beyond every month to provide financial support which helps us create so much free content for everyone to enjoy and learn from.

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 https://www.youtube.com/backyardecologyhttps://backyardecology.nethttps://backyardecology.net/subscribehttps://backyardecology.net/support Thank You Thank you to our amazing Patrons who go above and beyond every month to provide financial support which helps us create so much free content for everyone to enjoy and learn from.

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 https://www.backyardecology.net/everything-you-want-to-know-about-nesting-birds-with-nestwatch/ 🦋 9a) Birding Tools and Technology to Help You Be a Better Birder https://www.backyardecology.net/birding-tools-and-technology-to-help-you-be-a-better-birder/ 🦋 8) Exploring Urban Ecology: Understanding and Appreciating Nature Where We Live https://www.backyardecology.net/exploring-urban-ecology/ 🦋 7) Why Are Invasive Species Something You Should Care About? https://www.backyardecology.net/why-are-invasive-species-something-you-should-care-about/ 🦋 6) Moths: Unsung Heroes of Pollination and Beyond https://www.backyardecology.net/moths-unsung-heroes-of-pollination-and-beyond/ 🦋 5) Gardening with Sedges - Mt. Cuba Center Carex Trial https://www.backyardecology.net/gardening-with-sedges-mt-cuba-center-carex-trial/ 🦋 4) How Can Your State’s Native Plant Society Help You? https://www.backyardecology.net/how-can-your-states-native-plant-society-help-you/ 🦋 3) Learning to See and Identify Plants with Alan Weakley https://www.backyardecology.net/learning-to-see-and-identify-plants-with-alan-weakley/ 🦋 2) Ecology Based Landscaping with Larry Weaner https://www.backyardecology.net/ecology-based-landscaping-with-larry-weaner/ 🦋 1) Growing Native Plants, Insect-Plant Interactions, Playing in the Pond, and Much More with Dr. Randi Eckel https://www.backyardecology.net/growing-native-plants-insect-plant-interactions-playing-in-the-pond-and-much-more-with-dr-randi-eckel/ 🦋 Bonus: Gardening with Native Plants https://www.backyardecology.net/gardening-with-native-plants/ Other Episode Relevant Links: 🦋 Nature at Your Door, Connecting with the Wild and Green in the Urban and Suburban Landscape https://amzn.to/3KwEYX0 🦋 Garden Revolution https://amzn.to/3Ckbp6F * Amazon links are affiliate links. We get a small commission from Amazon if you use them, but this comes at no cost to you. 🌻 🌻 🌻 Thank you to our supporters on Patreon who go above and beyond each month to financially contribute towards making the Backyard Ecology blog, podcast, and YouTube channel possible. Thank you also to everyone who has made one-time donations to support the Backyard Ecology blog, podcast, and YouTube channel. 🌻 🌻 🌻 Become a Backyard Ecologist: 🦋 The Backyard Ecologist’s Newsletter: https://www.backyardecology.net/subscribe/ 🦋 Backyard Ecology Community: https://www.backyardecology.net/community/ 🦋 Group coaching: https://www.backyardecology.net/group-coaching/ Backyard Ecology content: 🦋 Website: https://backyardecology.net 🦋 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/backyardecology 🦋 Blog: https://www.backyardecology.net/blog/ Support Backyard Ecology: 🦋 Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/backyardecology 🦋 Make a one-time donation: https://www.paypal.com/biz/fund?id=K7F3HJLJT9F8N

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 and explore further. 🦋 10) Caterpillar's Poop Stick Defense! https://youtube.com/shorts/R_mMaD2TadU 🦋 9) Ragweed SUPER FOOD for Birds! https://youtube.com/shorts/CfOM56BYZ_8 🦋 8) Hummingbirds Eat Nectar and WHAT! https://youtube.com/shorts/-IOGXUiOozY 🦋 7) Butterfly Garden Must Have! https://youtube.com/shorts/UppahIW3EnQ 🦋 6) These Cute Larvae Aren't Caterpillars! https://youtube.com/shorts/rorND6RmcGg 🦋 5) Bumblebees VS Carpenter Bees Easy ID! https://youtube.com/shorts/slBX3utAcdI 🦋 4) What Is This Weird Plant Growth! https://youtube.com/shorts/lhrmJlsKNfk 🦋 3) Have You Seen Invasive Tree of Heaven? https://youtube.com/shorts/Vqmq_8Bc3rc 🦋 2) This Caterpillar Looks Like What! https://youtube.com/shorts/Wkqy-qO8z98 🦋 1) Wolf Spider Momma Has How MANY Babies! https://youtube.com/shorts/MA7IjE8Jyyc Bonus 🦋 See Me Fly Like Monarch and Viceroy Butterflies! https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Dzpde6I3ju8 Other Episode-Related Links 🦋 Top 10 Backyard Ecology Videos https://www.backyardecology.net/top-10-videos/ 🦋 3 Awesome Native Trees to Replace Bradford Pear! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYPak0l1exo 🌻 🌻 🌻 Thank you to our supporters on Patreon who go above and beyond each month to financially contribute towards making the Backyard Ecology blog, podcast, and YouTube channel possible. Thank you also to everyone who has made one-time donations to support the Backyard Ecology blog, podcast, and YouTube channel. 🌻 🌻 🌻 Become a Backyard Ecologist: 🦋 The Backyard Ecologist’s Newsletter: https://www.backyardecology.net/subscribe/ 🦋 Backyard Ecology Community: https://www.backyardecology.net/community/ 🦋 Group coaching: https://www.backyardecology.net/group-coaching/ Backyard Ecology content: 🦋 Website: https://backyardecology.net 🦋 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/backyardecology 🦋 Blog: https://www.backyardecology.net/blog/ Support Backyard Ecology: 🦋 Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/backyardecology 🦋 Make a one-time donation: https://www.paypal.com/biz/fund?id=K7F3HJLJT9F8N