Stay ConnectedNature isn’t just “out there” in some pristine, far-off location. It’s all around us, including right outside our doors.
Hi, my name is Shannon Trimboli and I’m here to help people in the eastern U.S. create thriving ecosystems where they live, work, and play.
Join us as we ignite our curiosity and natural wonder, explore our yards and communities, and improve our local pollinator and wildlife habitat.
Learn more at: https://www.backyardecology.net/podcast
Copyright: © 2023 Shannon Trimboli, all rights reserved
Lyme disease is our most common tick-borne disease and it is estimated that there are around 400,000 cases each year. Black-legged ticks or deer ticks (Ixodes scapularis) are the only species of tick that carries Lyme disease in the eastern U.S. Although deer ticks are found throughout the eastern U.S., Lyme disease is much more common in the northeast, than it is in the southeast.
In this episode of the Backyard Ecology Podcast, we talk with Dr. Howard Ginsberg. He is a Research Ecologist with the Eastern Ecological Science Center of the U.S. Geological Survey. Recently, he and a number of his colleagues published a journal article about their research into why Lyme disease is more common in the north.
Our conversation covers a number of different topics from basic tick biology to the research and their conclusions. One of the things that really stood out to me about their research was just how complicated the issue is. It isn't as simple as just looking at how common deer ticks are in your area. Instead, deer ticks in different parts of the country often choose different hosts, and not all of those hosts are equally likely to transfer the bacterium that causes Lyme disease. The immature ticks also have different behavioral patterns depending on where they are from. All of these factors help to contribute to our risk of catching Lyme disease in different regions of the country.
Ticks may not be our favorite organisms. I'll admit to having no great love for them. But, as people who enjoy nature and presumably spend quite a bit of time outside, I think it is important to understand our risks of catching different tick-borne diseases. The recent research by Dr. Ginsberg and his colleagues shines an important light on how complicated this topic is and how behavioral and ecological factors at a regional level can impact risks of contracting Lyme disease. This is one of those situations where the answers can be complicated, but at the same time fascinating and intriguing. It also shows just how much we still have to learn.
Links:I've always really enjoyed looking at the pictures and watching the videos captured by the trail cameras on our property. The videos are always my favorite because you get to see more of the behaviors. Either way, retrieving the SD card from a camera is always exciting because you just never know what we are going to see when you begin going through the images.
In this episode of the Backyard Ecology podcast, we talk with Anthony Trimboli about trail cameras. Anthony is a wildlife biologist, conservation educator, and my husband. He also has experience working in sporting goods stores where he helped people pick out the right cameras for them, which is why I asked him to talk with us about this subject.
During our discussion, Anthony and I touch on the history of trail cameras and their use for wildlife research and management. We also talk in detail about some of the different features that today's cameras have, some of the different ways that trail cameras can be used, and some of the things you might want to consider if you are purchasing one. In addition, Anthony shares tips for where to locate your trail camera so that it has the best chance of picking up wildlife moving through your property. Throughout the conversation we share some of the stories about things that we've seen on our own trail cameras.
In my opinion, trail cameras are a great way to watch wildlife, no matter what size property you have. It's always more fun to see things in person, but trail cameras give us the opportunity to see what's happening when we aren't watching or to see animals that may be a little more wary. This is true no matter how big or small your property is or whether it is located in a more urban or more rural area.
Links:This episode is different from anything I've done before, because Michael Hawk, who hosts the Nature's Archive podcast, and I are sharing each other's episodes. One of the things I really like about the Nature's Archive podcast is that in addition to the biology, Michael also digs into the stories of how his guests got to where they are. My personal experiences, plus those of the interns, volunteers, college students, and recent grads that I've worked with in the past have made me realize how valuable those stories are. So, often the thought is that we can't be successful unless we know exactly what we want to do and forge a laser straight path forward. But that's usually not the case. I think hearing that and discussing that can be so valuable and helpful for all of us.
The Nature's Archive episode that I chose to share with you is about leaf mining insects. Every year I notice the trails of leaf mining insects in my garden or on leaves out in the fields or woods. But I've never really gone much further than saying "Yep, leaf miner." In this episode, however, Michael talks to Charley Eiseman who is a leaf mining insect specialist. Wow! I never dreamed leaf mining insects were so diverse and fascinating. I always assumed that they were all caterpillars, which I now know is not true. I'm definitely going to be looking at leaves with leaf mining insect trails a lot differently now.
After listening to this episode, I highly encourage you to follow the link below to look at the original show notes for this episode on the Nature's Archive Podcast. Michael has some cool pictures of leaf mining insect trails in leaves, as well as, links to the books and other resources that he and Charley talked about. While you're visiting the Nature's Archive website, you may find some other episodes that you would enjoy listening to. I know I've downloaded several that I want to listen. Oh! And check out Michael's photography while you're there. He has some amazing pictures.
Links:Laurel wilt disease is a disease caused by an introduced beetle and fungus. This disease is deadly to members of the Laurel family which includes redbay, sassafras, and spicebush. Laurel wilt disease also kills avocados, which aren't native to the eastern U.S., but are in the Laurel family and are an important agricultural crop. As of spring 2021, laurel wilt disease has been found in 11 states in the eastern U.S. with the potential to spread to much further – even down into Mexico and Central America.
In this episode of the Backyard Ecology podcast, we talk with Alexandra Blevins about laurel wilt disease. Alexandra is the Forest Health Specialist with the Kentucky Division of Forestry and has been monitoring laurel wilt disease in Kentucky. This isn't a topic that any of us really want to discuss, but it is an important one and one that we all need to be aware of.
In our conversation, Alexandra and I discuss the relationship between the redbay ambrosia beetle and the fungus that it carries. It is the fungus that causes laurel wilt disease. We also discuss how the disease kills the trees, what to look for in order to know if your trees have been infected, and what to do if you think you've found it. In addition, Alexandra shares with us some of the current research related to laurel wilt disease treatment and management. Unfortunately, as of this recording, there are no approved treatment options or "cures" for laurel wilt disease in sassafras and spicebush.
As much as this could be a complete doom and gloom story, there is also a small ray of potential hope. The primary way that laurel wilt disease is spreading is from humans moving wood products which contain the beetle larva and the fungus. If we are the primary cause of the spread of the disease, then we also hold the key to stopping it, or at least greatly slowing its spread. One of the primary ways that we can keep from spreading the disease is to not move wood products such as firewood, smoking / grilling wood, uncured lumber, etc. Not only will that reduce the risk of spreading laurel wilt disease, but it will also reduce the risk of spreading lots of other introduced diseases and pests.
Links:I know from the emails and messages that I've received that many of you are parents, teachers, grandparents, aunts, uncles, or friends of young people. Well, this episode is for all of you.
In this episode of the Backyard Ecology podcast, we talk with Heather L. Montgomery. Heather is an award-winning author, educator, and someone I'm honored to call a friend. Her books include: Bugs Don't Hug: Six-Legged Parents and Their Kids, How Rude! Real Bugs Who Won't Mind Their Manners, Something Rotten: A Fresh Look at Roadkill, and Who Gives a Poop?: Surprising Science from One End to the Other. Her newest book, What's in Your Pocket?: Collecting Nature's Treasures, will come out in September 2021.
As you'll quickly discover in this episode, Heather is an amazing storyteller who is passionate about engaging people, especially young people, in nature. Like me, she is also a big kid at heart. Our conversation covers a wide variety of topics including ways to engage young people in nature, but the theme that carries through all those topics is curiosity. Heather and I both believe that encouraging young people to be curious can help them throughout their lives, no matter what career path they end up taking. It's also just fun to be curious and see where a question takes us – no matter what our age is.
Links:Thank you for joining me on this Backyard Ecology journey. I can't believe we're already up to episode 24 of the Backyard Ecology podcast! And the blog has been going on, in one form or another, for much longer than that. I am really looking forward to continuing on this journey with you.
This week's Backyard Ecology podcast episode is a short, but important one because it talks about some changes that are coming to both the podcast and the blog. Don't worry, Backyard Ecology isn't going away. I enjoy it too much and know that you find it valuable too, but I've also realized that I need to make some changes.
This was a hard episode for me to record, because I opened up about some of what I've been going through over the last few months. I also shared the reasons why I am making the changes that I am making and how I hope those changes will help all of us. I wrap up this episode with a very specific request for help related to one area of Backyard Ecology.
Links:For many of us, the rhythmic chatter of annual cicadas is a natural part of every summer. But then… every once in a while… the trees explode in a deafening chorus of periodical cicadas. Periodical cicadas will spend over a decade as nymphs underground before emerging and maturing into adults. The adults only live a few weeks, but what an impression they make while they are here!
In this episode of the Backyard Ecology podcast, we talk with Dr. Gene Kritsky. Gene is the Dean of the School of Behavioral and Natural Sciences at Mount St, Joseph University in Cincinnati. He is also the author of the book Periodical Cicadas: The Brood X Edition.
During our conversation, Gene talked about the different species of 17-year periodical cicadas, as well as, the difference between broods and species. We also talked about the interesting life history of periodical cicadas and the important roles they play in the local ecosystems when they emerge. In addition, Gene provided tips for anyone who might be a little concerned about any negative impacts that periodical cicadas might have on their trees.
One of the most exciting things Gene shared with us is his research on documenting and mapping the different broods. The idea that whole broods could be missed for centuries or that we have new broods appearing as portions of known broods shift their emergence patterns is fascinating to me. I also love the fact that he has given all of us the opportunity to help document and map the different broods through his Cicada Safari app.
Using the Cicada Safari app, we can help Gene and other researchers gain a better understanding of the distribution of the different broods. With today's tools and technology, we have the opportunity to easily help create much more detailed and comprehensive maps of the broods than scientists have ever been able to do before. But to it will take all of us working together and documenting what is happening in our own yards and communities. I think that's exciting and hope we can help grant Gene's wish to completely overwhelm him with data.
I also appreciate all of the fun and educational resources that are included in the Cicada Safari app and on the Cicada Safari website. Whether you want to learn how to identify the different species, just have some fun making origami cicadas, learn how to dive into the historic records to try and identify overlooked broods in your area, or are looking for potential science fair project ideas, the Cicada Safari website has you covered. Links to the Cicada Safari website, Gene's book, and other periodical cicada resources he recommended can be found below.
When we recorded this in 2021, Brood X was the periodical cicada emergence that we were looking forward to. However, at least one brood of periodical cicadas emerges somewhere in the country every year. So, no matter when you listen to this episode, it is likely that there will be an emergence somewhere in the U.S. that needs to be documented and mapped.
Links:Gardening with native plants has been growing in popularity. Some people want to grow native plants for plant conservation purposes or to showcase the diverse, local flora of their region. Others want to grow native plants for the benefits they provide to pollinators and wildlife. Still others are interested in native plants as sources of food or herbal medicine. And some people want to grow native plants in their gardens for a combination of reasons. Whatever the underlying purpose is, we all share a common interest and often face some of the same general questions and challenges.
This week's episode of the Backyard Ecology podcast features a roundtable type discussion with the owners of three native plant nurseries located in Kentucky. Those nursery owners are Alicia Bosela from Ironweed Native Plant Nursery, Margaret Shea from Dropseed Native Plant Nursery, and myself from Busy Bee Nursery and Consulting. Even though we're all located in Kentucky, our conversation is applicable to people in other states as well.
Our conversation is a very fun, fluid discussion where our passion and enthusiasm for our work really shows through. Some of the many topics we cover include collecting, recommendations for people just getting started with growing native plants, some of our favorite starter native plants, and dealing with insect pests. We also discuss some of the questions that we are commonly asked. And of course, we share lots of stories and observations from our nurseries and our own gardens / properties.
Throughout the conversation, you'll also hear us asking each other questions and learning from each other. All of us recognize that there is always more to learn and we enjoy learning ourselves as well as helping others learn. I always find conversations like this educational and inspiring. I hope you find this episode educational and inspiring as well.
Links:Eastern bluebirds are a conservation success story. Their numbers plummeted in the early 1900s. Then in the 1960s and 70s, consorted efforts were started to establish bluebird trails and similar programs. Growing up in the late 1970s and 1980s, I remember often hearing about the plight of the eastern bluebird and the need to put up nest boxes for them. Today, their numbers have rebounded and they are considered a low conservation concern.
In this week's episode of the Backyard Ecology podcast, we talk with Michael Patton. Michael is an Avian Biologist with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. He also recently completed a research project looking at eastern bluebird nesting behavior.
During our conversation we talk about some general life history traits of the eastern bluebird including population trends, mating behaviors, and nesting behaviors. We also talk about Michael's research looking at the factors that influence how many clutches a pair of eastern bluebirds will have in a year including provisioning rates of each parent.
Michael also shared with us a variety of tips for attracting bluebirds to our properties. Instead of jumping straight to "put up a bluebird house." Michael took a big picture view with his answer. He discussed the need to provide the right type of vegetative habitat, the different types of food eastern bluebirds need and how to provide those, and then of course the need to provide cavities for the bluebirds to use as nesting sites. Whenever possible, Michael provided both natural and artificial alternatives. For example, when it comes to providing nesting cavities he suggested leaving standing dead trees for natural cavities if it was safe to do so as a natural option, or providing bluebird nest boxes as an artificial option. We wrap up the conversation with Michael sharing some interesting facts that he learned while doing his research.
Links:It is so easy to come home at the end of a long day, eat supper, and then just sink into the couch to veg out for a bit or keep ourselves busy with household activities that need to be done. I'll be honest, I'm as guilty as the next person of falling into that trap. But nature doesn't just stop when the sun goes down. Instead, a whole new world opens up and comes to life – a world that is just as interesting and fascinating as anything we find during the daytime.
In this week's episode of the Backyard Ecology, I talk with Bill Napper. Bill is a volunteer night naturalist at Bernheim Arboretum, a caver, an author, and much more. At Bernheim, Bill leads night hikes and other night programs that cover a variety of seasonal topics related to the natural world at night. He jokes that he has spent over a decade in the dark. Bill just has a general love of the night and enjoys sharing that passion with others.
During our conversation, Bill and I talk about many different topics. Some of the animals we talk about include crickets and katydids, lightning bugs, the night jars (whip-poor-wills, chuck-wills-widows, poor-wills, and night hawks), moths, and bats. We also talk about the night sky, noise pollution, and light pollution. In addition, Bill offers tips for finding formal night programs that you can participate in, as well as, ways you can enjoy the natural world at night in your own backyard. You really don't have to travel to the middle of nowhere to experience nature's night life. There is likely a lot going on in your own yard.
This was just an easy, fun conversation that touched on lots of different topics related to the natural world at night. We don't dive too deep into any of the topics we discussed. We'll do that in other episodes. Our goal with this episode was simply to remind all of us about how captivating nature's night life can be, and hopefully inspire us to make the time to go outside at night and reconnect with the nocturnal world in our own ways.
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