The Backyard Naturalists

The Backyard Naturalists podcasts is geared toward nature lovers of all kinds, from beginners to those with more experience. We have a very diverse lineup of topics planned for you, such as what you can do in your own yard to enhance the habitat for the creatures who live there, participating in the Great Backyard Bird Count as a citizen scientist, using native plants, which snakes live in our area, how to attract specific birds, common and uncommon raptors in the greater Charlotte region, spring and fall migration season for birds, plants for butterflies and much more!

What’s Happening in Your Habitat

May 9, 2026

Spring is finally making itself known, and that means our backyard habitats are changing fast. In this episode of The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie and Laurie talk about what listeners may be seeing, hearing, and experiencing in their own outdoor spaces — from nesting bluebirds, Carolina wrens, catbirds,...

Barred Owls — Silent Flight, Big Personalities, and Backyard Nesting

May 2, 2026

In this episode of The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie Foster and Laurie Horne take us into the fascinating world of barred owls, inspired by a local owl box success story just in time for Earth Day. From the excitement of watching young owlets leave the nest to the unmistakable “who cooks for you?” presence of barred...

Tadpoles, Horse Troughs, and Backyard Habitats

Apr 25, 2026

What do you do when tadpoles take over a horse trough? In this fun and wide-ranging episode of The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie, Laurie, and Chris dive into the fascinating world of tadpoles after a listener from California asks how to handle an unexpected amphibian boom in her horses’ water troughs. Along the way,...

Celebrating Earth Day the Backyard Naturalists Way

Apr 18, 2026

In this special Earth Day episode of The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie, Laurie, and Chris celebrate Earth Day 2026 by exploring the history behind this global movement and sharing practical, everyday ways listeners can make a real difference for the planet. From the surprising origins of Earth Day in 1970 to the...

How Big Is It? Part 2: Nature’s Biggest and Boldest Creatures

Apr 11, 2026

In this fun and fast-moving second installment of “How Big Is It?”, Debbie and Laurie explore some of the biggest creatures in the natural world—from the world’s largest vulture and giant hummingbird to the Komodo dragon, Goliath frog, capybara, and even a massive Australian sea snail. Along the way, they share...