PODCAST

Buzz Blossom & Squeak

Jill from The Northwoods

Become a neighbhorhood naturalist right outside your front door!

science

All Episodes

15:44

72 - Corn Sweats? What Else Affects Weather Than Just...

Buzz Blossom & Squeak ·

2025/08/01

In this episode, I explore the fascinating ways that local environments shape the weather we experience daily. While most people think of weather as something driven by large systems like cold fronts and jet streams, there are countless small-scale influences that can dramatically shift conditions in your town, your backyard, or even your campsite. From cornfields and beavers to urban heat and volcanic dust, this episode uncovers the hidden factors that contribute to your local forecast. Lakes That

17:43

71 - From Ice to Fire: What Makes Comets So Cool

Buzz Blossom & Squeak ·

2025/07/24

This episode takes listeners on a journey through space to explore the wonders of comets—what they are, how they form, and why they’re worth watching. With a new comet expected to make a close pass in October 2025, this is the perfect time to understand how these icy travelers behave and how to prepare for a once-in-a-lifetime skywatching opportunity. Packed with science, practical tips, and a dose of cosmic wonder, this episode is a guide for anyone curious about the night sky. Understanding

12:41

70 - Composting Renews

Buzz Blossom & Squeak ·

2025/07/17

This episode explores the value and practical benefits of composting. From reducing household waste to enriching the soil naturally, composting is a simple yet powerful way to participate in the earth’s natural cycles. Whether done in a backyard, on a balcony, or under the kitchen sink, composting brings ecological mindfulness into daily life. Top Topics: Why Composting MattersComposting can divert up to 30% of what typically ends up in landfills. This process not only reduces waste but also

17:15

69 - Discovering the Wetlands Around Us

Buzz Blossom & Squeak ·

2025/07/07

69 - Discovering the Wetlands Around Us In this episode, I explore one of the most underrated landscapes in nature: wetlands. At first, marshes, swamps, bogs, and fens might seem like little more than muddy backwaters. But once you learn what makes each of them unique, you start to see these places for what they truly are—diverse, beautiful, and vital ecosystems. I start by reflecting on my own experience growing up in the Northwoods surrounded by forests and lakes. Wetlands weren’t something I

15:41

68 - Backyard Ants: What’s Really Going On Under Your...

Buzz Blossom & Squeak ·

2025/06/26

68 - Backyard Ants: What’s Really Going On Under Your Feet? This episode takes a closer look at the bustling and complex world of backyard ants. Sparked by a simple camping observation, the episode explores how ants live, work, and organize within their miniature societies. Listeners are guided through fascinating insights about ant behavior, structure, and the critical roles they play in the environment. Top Topics Covered: Colony Structure: Ant colonies are highly organized with specific roles

16:57

67 - Identify Nature with Tech

Buzz Blossom & Squeak ·

2025/06/21

This episode explores the power of using mobile apps to enhance experiences in the natural world. Whether identifying a strange bug in the backyard, figuring out if a plant is poison ivy while camping, or trying to understand what bird is singing in the trees, several powerful digital tools are available to help. The discussion focuses on five standout apps that are changing how people explore, identify, and learn about the natural environment around them. iNaturalist: Community-Powered

20:51

66 - Low-Cost Birding: Tools and Tricks for New...

Buzz Blossom & Squeak ·

2025/06/05

In this episode, we explore the joyful and surprisingly addictive world of birdwatching. From backyard windows to wooded trails, birdwatching is one of the easiest ways to connect with nature, boost your observation skills, and rediscover your neighborhood in a whole new light. Whether you’re an experienced hiker or someone just looking to add mindfulness to your routine, birdwatching might be your new favorite hobby. Top Topics:How Birdwatching BeginsBirdwatching doesn’t require travel or fancy

15:58

65 - Look up! Clouds!

Buzz Blossom & Squeak ·

2025/06/01

65 - Look up! Clouds! In this episode, we explore how everyday cloud watching can become a fascinating and practical hobby. From understanding different types of clouds to predicting the weather based on their shapes, you'll learn how to become your own amateur forecaster. Whether you're hiking, birdwatching, or just taking a stroll, this episode will inspire you to look up and connect with nature in a new way. Core Cloud Types ExplainedWe break down cirrus, stratus, cumulus, and nimbus

23:51

64 - Why Messy Forests Are Healthier

Buzz Blossom & Squeak ·

2025/05/22

64 - Why Messy Forests Are Healthier In this episode, I share my personal journey into understanding forest management. What started as curiosity during hikes turned into a deeper exploration of how our forests are being changed—sometimes improved, sometimes harmed—by well-meaning efforts. I talk about everything from childhood memories of raw wilderness to today’s controlled burns and conservation zones. How Forests Became Too Tidy:I talk about how forest policies began to prioritize

14:47

63 - Minks, Weasels, and Fishers Uncovered

Buzz Blossom & Squeak ·

2025/05/15

63 - Minks, Weasels, and Fishers Uncovered In this episode of Neighborhood Naturalist, we explore the sometimes confusing but always fascinating world of small Northwoods mammals. You’ll learn how to tell apart minks, fishers, and weasels—a question that comes up often during hikes, birdwatching trips, and spontaneous wildlife sightings. Whether you're walking near a stream or deep in the forest, you'll leave this episode with clear identifiers for these elusive creatures. Mink Behavior and

9:45

62 -Plants That Rise, Rest, and React

Buzz Blossom & Squeak ·

2025/05/08

62 -Plants That Rise, Rest, and React In this episode, the focus is on how certain flowers and plants respond to the time of day, light, and even temperature. These daily patterns—like blooming at sunrise or closing at dusk—aren’t random. They reveal a fascinating world of plant behavior designed to sync with the rhythms of nature and their pollinators. Whether it’s morning glories opening with the sun or moonflowers blooming under moonlight, these plants follow surprisingly consistent routines

9:16

61 - Find Birds by Their Vertical Layer

Buzz Blossom & Squeak ·

2025/05/01

61 - Find Birds by Their Vertical Layer In this episode, we explore a fresh perspective on birdwatching—observing birds by their vertical layer. I share personal stories, practical advice, and examples of how birds choose specific layers depending on food, protection, and nesting needs. Whether you’re brand new to birding or looking to enhance your skills, understanding vertical habitats will open your eyes to a whole new dimension of wildlife right in your own backyard. Why Birdwatching Is for

10:58

60 - Wake Up Sleepy Trees!

Buzz Blossom & Squeak ·

2025/04/24

60 - Wake Up Sleepy Trees! In this episode, I explore one of nature’s most fascinating transitions: how trees survive winter and reawaken in spring. Trees don’t hibernate like animals. Instead, they enter a complex dormancy that helps them withstand extreme cold and conserve energy. Through internal hormones and external cues like sunlight and temperature, trees navigate the changing seasons with remarkable precision. The Two Types of Dormancy: I talk about endodormancy, which is controlled by

9:22

59 -Spring Ephemerals: Nature’s Hidden Gems in Early...

Buzz Blossom & Squeak ·

2025/04/17

59 -Spring Ephemerals: Nature’s Hidden Gems in Early Spring In this episode, I share the quiet beauty and ecological importance of spring ephemerals—those short-lived but essential wildflowers that bloom briefly each year. From my childhood love of lady slippers to modern-day hikes with my friend Em, I explore how these blooms signal the start of spring and provide critical support for pollinators. Whether you're new to nature walks or a seasoned wildflower hunter, this episode offers tips, apps,

13:26

58 - Are Birds Tired After Migration?

Buzz Blossom & Squeak ·

2025/04/10

58 - Are Birds Tired After Migration? In this episode, we explore the incredible endurance and strategic brilliance of migratory birds. As spring migration peaks, it’s the perfect moment to ask: are birds truly exhausted from their long flights? The answer, backed by science and observation, is a resounding yes. Bird Behavior During Migration:Birds like geese and warblers stop over briefly on their way to the Arctic. While they're only visible for a short time, these moments offer incredible

11:50

57 - Searching for Salamanders

Buzz Blossom & Squeak ·

2025/04/03

57 - Searching for Salamanders This episode takes a quiet, curious journey into the life of salamanders—what they are, where they live, and why they’ve become such mysterious, symbolic creatures in the world of amphibians. It’s a story rooted in childhood memories and carried into adulthood with every hike and hopeful glance under a log. Understanding SalamandersSalamanders are introduced as small, moisture-loving amphibians with regenerative abilities and a preference for solitude. They come in

17:01

56 - Are You Speaking Birding Yet?

Buzz Blossom & Squeak ·

2025/03/27

56 - Are You Speaking Birding Yet? Ever get lost in bird chat lingo? Wonder what a “REVI” or “sparkbird” is? This episode is all about demystifying birding terms for newcomers and helping seasoned birders refresh their vocabulary. From bird codes to quirky nicknames, we’re covering it all. Bird Codes and What They MeanI break down the American Birding Association’s bird code system—how four-letter codes are built from bird names, how to read them, and what to do when the rules don’t quite apply

15:51

55 - Winter House Bugs - Mostly Harmless!

Buzz Blossom & Squeak ·

2025/03/20

55 - Winter House Bugs - Mostly Harmless! Every winter, I start noticing bugs showing up in my house, and I know I’m not the only one! In this episode, I talk about why certain insects make their way indoors when it gets cold. From mosquitoes mysteriously appearing in the dead of winter to Asian lady beetles, stink bugs, and box elder bugs taking over my walls, I share what I’ve learned about these seasonal visitors. Some of these bugs are harmless, others can be a little annoying, and a few might

16:04

54 - Be Lazy, Help Nature

Buzz Blossom & Squeak ·

2025/03/13

54 - Be Lazy, Help Nature In today’s episode, Jill from the Northwoods challenges the traditional idea of a perfectly maintained yard. She shares personal experiences and research-backed insights on how leaving things a little messy can actually support wildlife. From fallen branches to untouched leaves, small changes can create a backyard sanctuary for birds, pollinators, and beneficial insects. ✅ The Myth of the Perfect LawnJill reflects on her early days as a homeowner, when she thought

13:08

53 - What To Do About An Injured Animal

Buzz Blossom & Squeak ·

2025/03/06

53 - What To Do About An Injured Animal Have you ever stumbled upon an injured wild animal and wondered what to do? In this episode, I share real-life experiences and practical advice on how to handle these situations. From baby birds that fall out of their nests to injured raccoons and bats in houses, we discuss the best steps to take, the importance of wildlife rescues, and how to ensure both human and animal safety. Understanding When an Animal Needs HelpNot all wild animals that appear

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