Birds, Squirrels, Seedlings and More!

·50 min·4 clips

A clever black squirrel is teaching gray squirrels how to raid a peanut feeder, defying all deterrents.

The episode begins with Charlie Dobbin introducing the show and guest Paul Oliver, who represents the Urban Nature Store. Charlie shares an anecdote about a wily black squirrel outsmarting baffles to access a peanut feeder, with gray squirrels attempting to mimic its behavior. Paul provides call-in numbers for listeners in Toronto and toll-free. The conversation shifts to the Urban Nature Store's offerings, including bird feeders, garden accessories, and educational kits for children to engage with nature. Charlie mentions garden club meetings in Agent Court and Pickering, the latter focusing on invasive species. A listener email warns about rhododendrons being toxic to pets. Caller Rob asks about pepper seedlings that haven't sprouted, and Charlie advises adding more seeds and maintaining moisture. Paul discusses bird behavior, noting that grackles travel in groups and can be deterred with safflower seed because their beaks cannot crack it. He explains that sunflower hearts are preferred by birds as they require no shelling. Charlie recounts a Cornell Audubon webinar revealing that mid-rise buildings cause more bird deaths from window collisions than high-rises, due to birds flying lower during migration. They discuss solutions like tape or dotted glass to prevent collisions. Caller Jean seeks advice on pruning her 21-year-old hydrangea, and Charlie recommends cutting it back to encourage flowering. Paul talks about bird seed quality, noting that cheaper mixes with millet often germinate and attract rodents, while sunflower hearts are consumed entirely. Caller Bonnie describes issues with her Easter cactus losing leaves and stems turning woody, leading Charlie to suggest a moisture meter and request a photo for diagnosis. Caller Mary shares a tip about storing garlic with rice and salt to keep it fresh. The episode concludes with Paul emphasizing the importance of feeding birds from March to May and recommending plants like holly and black-eyed Susan for bird food in fall.

As heard by us

A warm garden hour where feeder drama and hydrangea advice mark the turn into spring.

Birds and squirrels give this garden chat its spring rhythm, with a wily black squirrel testing the feeders and returning birds treated as a welcome seasonal sign.

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Why you'd press play

You get a wily black squirrel, returning spring birds, and a hydrangea rescue plan in one cheerful garden hour.

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