Nature Centered from Wild Birds Unlimited

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A podcast from Wild Birds Unlimited about feeding the birds and enjoying nature right in your own backyard. Relax, enjoy the birds, and stay Nature Centered.

Wild Birds Unlimited, Inc.


    • May 8, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 28m AVG DURATION
    • 98 EPISODES

    4.7 from 224 ratings Listeners of Nature Centered from Wild Birds Unlimited that love the show mention: john and brian, like visiting, backyard, birds, also appreciate, learning so much, enjoyable, hosts, home, wish, thank, every episode, learned, look forward, new, love, fun, informative, great podcast, listen.


    Ivy Insights

    The Nature Centered podcast from Wild Birds Unlimited is an absolute gem for bird enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. Hosted by John and Brian, this podcast provides a delightful and accessible way to learn about birds and birdwatching. With their knowledge and passion for the subject, they bring a sense of joy and enthusiasm to every episode. Whether you're new to birdwatching or a seasoned observer, this podcast offers something for everyone.

    One of the best aspects of The Nature Centered podcast is the hosts' ability to make learning about birds fun and enjoyable. They strike the perfect balance between being knowledgeable without overwhelming listeners with technical jargon. Their friendly banter and genuine enthusiasm create a warm and inviting atmosphere that makes you feel like you're chatting with old friends. It's refreshing to listen to hosts who are not only experts in their field but also great storytellers.

    Another great aspect of this podcast is its accessibility. John and Brian understand that not all listeners may have extensive knowledge or experience with birds, so they break down complex topics into bite-sized pieces that are easy to understand. They provide practical techniques for improving backyard bird watching, suggestions for bird conservation, and share fascinating facts about different species. This makes it a valuable resource for both beginners and more experienced birdwatchers.

    If there was one downside to The Nature Centered podcast, it would be its length. Each episode is relatively short, which can leave you wanting more. However, this is a minor criticism considering the wealth of information packed into each episode. The hosts do an excellent job of getting straight to the point without unnecessary tangents or filler content.

    In conclusion, The Nature Centered podcast from Wild Birds Unlimited is a must-listen for anyone interested in birds or nature in general. John and Brian's passion for the subject shines through in every episode, making learning about birds both educational and entertaining. From practical tips to fascinating facts, this podcast has something for everyone. So grab your binoculars, sit back, and enjoy the delightful world of birds with The Nature Centered podcast.



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    Latest episodes from Nature Centered from Wild Birds Unlimited

    Simple Steps to Saving the Song Birds

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2025 30:28


    Have you heard song birds are in trouble? As stewards of our own space, we've never been more empowered to make a difference to help save the song birds. Brian shares some simple steps you can implement to make a difference, no matter where you live.

    Native Plant Program & Perks

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2025 37:39


    Does it matter where you source your native plants? It turns out—yes, it does. Brian is joined by Mary Phillips, Head of Habitat/Native Plant Impact & Certifications for the National Wildlife Federation, to explain why. They dig into native plant trends, the importance of sourcing responsibly, and what keystone plants are—plus how they benefit both birds and people. 

    The More the Merrier

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2025 19:24


    How many bird species visit your yard? Brian shares that now is the perfect time to prepare to attract more bird species to your yard and how it will enhance your enjoyment of the hobby and your well-being.    

    GBBC & Bird ID

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2025 34:56


    Brian is joined by special guest, Becca Rodomsky-Bish, leader of the Great Backyard Bird Count at Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Together, they explore how you can have fun while making a difference for birds. Tune in for expert bird identification tips, helpful resources, and inspiration to join this global birdwatching event! 

    Winter Survival Tips for You & Your Birds

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2025 41:03


    Brian is joined by special guest Holly Merker, co-author of Ornitherapy: For Your Mind, Body, and Soul and co-host of The Mindful Birding Podcast. Listen in to learn how birds benefit our wellbeing and how we can help the birds thrive during winter months.  

    Apropos Apps & Recommended Reading

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2024 37:07


    John and Brian share some of their favorite apps and recommended reading for birders and backyard hobbyists that are great for you and for gift-giving. Plus, a salute to John's last episode as a podcast host.

    Participate & Connect with Nature

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2024 41:55


    Brian is joined by guests Emma Greig and Olivia Carvahlo to talk about how easy it is to participate with PFW and connect more deeply with nature. Emma, Project Leader for Project FeederWatch in the US, and Olivia, Community Engagement Specialist in Canada, tell us just how simpleand how incredibly helpful it can be! Join tens of thousands already participating. 

    Hot Pepper. A Hot Topic.

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2024 26:59


    John and Brian discuss hot pepper foods, the science and the biology behind why it works for the birds and keeps the critters at bay. Plus, a special announcement at the end that you don't want to miss. 

    Why We Love Insects!

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2024 30:55


    John & Brian discuss why insects are important for the birds and how to cultivate more insects in your yard. They also explain the connection between insects and the 7 Simple Actions to help Save the Song Birds.

    Where Are the Birds?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2024 23:21


    John & Brian address challenging questions like: What happens when bird activity slows down? Where did the birds go and why? What can you do to get them back?   

    Why Kids Love Bird Feeding

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 11, 2024 25:14


    John & Brian are joined by two very special guests, kids who love bird feeding, Xander and Rhain. Prepare to be inspired by their passion and love for birds and bird feeding. They also share their tips for helping more kids get into the hobby. 

    Habitat for Birds & Pollinators!

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2024 25:41


    Join John & Brian as they offer resources to help you find native plants to increase the birds and pollinators in your space - whether you have a yard, patio or balcony; to include container gardening. 

    Feed the Birds, Feel Better

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2024 35:43


    John and Brian are joined by a special guest, Holly Merker. She is an author, podcast host, birding guide, and nature-based wellness provider. They discuss how watching and feeding birds creates a sense of wonder and community, a sense of connection with people, and can change the direction of your life. Plus, a special callout for the Mindful Birding podcast episode 13. 

    Environmental Benefits of Bird Feeding

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2024 27:05


    John and Brian discuss how feeding and watching birds naturally promotes conservation, ultimately benefiting the environment. This includes making environmentally conscious choices with bird feeding products, installing native plants, and participating in citizen science programs. 

    Keeping Birds Safe in Your Yard

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2024 32:37


    John and Brian talk about preparing for springtime bird activity in our yards and how to keep the birds safe and ensure they thrive. 

    Count the Birds. Make a Difference.

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 8, 2024 30:46


    John and Brian are joined by the project leader for GBBC, Becca Rodomski-Bish. They discuss how watching the birds and sharing what you see will benefit the birds for conservation and how it will benefit your well-being. 

    It's OK to Feed the Birds

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 11, 2024 26:55


    Join John and Brian as they discuss some studies about the pros (and cons) of bird feeding. Is it really ok to feed the birds? Listen to this weeks episode to find out why it absolutely is OK!

    Bird Gifts & Gift Birds

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 14, 2023 19:34


    Join John and Brian as they discuss how birds truly are gifts and how you can share the joy of birds with others long after the gift-giving season. 

    Feasting with Feathered Friends

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2023 19:26


    John and Brian discuss how you can show your thanks for birds this season in your yard and in your coffee cup. 

    Treats for Birds. No Tricks.

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2023 27:57


    John and Brian discuss tricks of the trade to bring in the birds as well as treats that are highly attractive to birds and bring the joy of the hobby for you.   

    Basics of Transition

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2023 28:38


    What are the basic transitions birds are going through right now and how can your habitat help? Join John and Brian as they discuss the transitions and the foods you can offer to help birds.   

    Critter Solutions

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 10, 2023 27:27


    Join John and Brian as they discuss summer critter solutions like outwitting ornery squirrels, techniques to take the “nuisance” out of nuisance birds and insights to defeat insects at nectar feeders.  

    Wonderful Woodpeckers

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2023 20:33


    John & Brian share how woodpeckers are like diamonds: tough and wondrous; adapted to live in and on trees (and cacti). Learn how to attract these precious birds throughout summer. 

    Joy of Summer Birds

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2023 28:28


    Join John & Brian as they share what you're missing without feeding in summer. How to attract new birds, help a new generation of birds, help mom and dad, and find joy in knowing that the food we provide can make a significant difference in how well birds survive and thrive. 

    Bugs = Birds

    Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2023 28:06


    It really can be sweet of you to offer Mom bugs for Mother's Day. John & Brian discuss how offering bugs directly and indirectly will bring in more bird activity, making Mom even happier to see all the birds she loves and knowing she is helping them to raise their families. 

    Hooray for Hummingbirds

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2023 30:21


    Do you want to attract one of the most sought-after feeder birds? Hummingbirds bring joy, color and life to any yard, patio or balcony. John and Brian talk tips and fun facts about a fan favorite.  

    Bluebirds: Your Backyard Buddies

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2023 26:23


    John and Brian discuss how bluebirds delight us with their beautiful song, “color” and wonderful demeanor. Plus, expert tips on attracting them to your yard and inviting them to raise a family.  

    Birds Bring the World Together: February 17-20, 2023

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 9, 2023 32:35


    Learn how you contribute to world-wide conservation efforts just by sharing your backyard birds during the GBBC, February 17-20, 2023. Special guest Becca Rodomsky-Bish, Project Leader for GBBC, joins John & Brian to tell us all about this amazing, world-wide program. Plus hear a few tips along the way. 

    Fatten Up Your Birds

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 12, 2023 27:03


    There is a reason you don't see birds at the gym trying to lose that holiday weight. They want fat! Learn how birds use fat and other strategies to survive long, cold winter nights.  

    Holiday Traditions Old & New

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 8, 2022 27:11


    What holiday traditions do you have that highlight or help the birds? John & Brian discuss tried & true winter bird food changes, a century-old bird watching tradition as well as offering up some new traditions to consider that share the joy of birds with others. 

    Looking Out for Fabulous Finches

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2022 26:27


    Who's ready to see fabulous finches in their yard this season? Join John and Brian as they discuss when you might expect to see finches and how to attract them to your yard. 

    Cornucopia of Joy

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2022 28:09


    Where do you find your joy? How far do you have to travel to enjoy birds and nature? John & Brian discuss how you can reap the abundant benefits of nature at home and how you can thank the birds.  

    How to be a Backyard Scientist

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2022 25:05


    Being a backyard scientist is as easy as watching the birds and sharing what you see. Emma Greig, The Project Leader for Project FeederWatch, tells us just how simple it can be and how incredibly helpful! Join tens of thousands already participating. 

    The Changing Cast of Characters

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2022 24:10


    The cast of birds are changing with the seasons. Brian & John share how you can enjoy this change by offering the birds' favorite feeder and foods.  

    Save Birds? Plant Trees!

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2022 35:48


    Can you really save birds and increase your health by planting trees? What about the secret to successfully planting a tree in your yard? We met with Pete Smith from the Arbor Day Foundation to answer these questions and more.  

    Sharing Survival Strategies

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2022 32:32


    Where have all your birds gone? Why isn't your food being eaten? It's all about the cache. That's right, caching is taking place as birds start to prepare for winter; among other survival strategies. How can you help? What neat activities might you spy? John and Brian are here to tell you. 

    Pursing Purple Martins

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2022 28:00


    John and Brian discuss how to attract Purple Martins to your yard, how to be a good landlord for them, and how to help martins even if you don't provide housing for them. They also dispel some myths about these amazing aerialists.

    pursing purple martins
    Water. More Important than Ever.

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2022 33:03


    John and Brian welcome back special guest David Mizejewski, Naturalist for the National Wildlife Federation, to discuss the importance of water to birds and wildlife plus the simplicity of what that looks like whatever the size of your “yard.”   

    Bird Feeding Then & Now

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2022 32:05


    With decades of experience John & Brian discuss bird feeding from its humble beginnings almost a century ago, the amazing value that has been added to the hobby for both people and birds, as well as what the future holds. Could bird feeding vending machines be just around the corner? Plus, a surprise visit from a Red-headed Woodpecker that steals the show. 

    Don't Stop Now! Perks of Summer Feeding.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2022 28:23


    Some people choose to not feed in the summer, but what are they missing? A whole lot it turns out. John and Brian make a case for helping your birds by providing key supplemental nutrition, as well as attracting more birds and seeing behaviors you'd otherwise miss. 

    The World's Smartest Bird

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2022 34:49


    John and Brian bring fun and amazing examples of why crows and ravens are arguably the world's smartest birds. They discuss studies from some folks who have studied them for decades and introduce one whose fulltime job is taking care of one family group of ravens. 

    Birding by Ear: Getting Started

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2022 35:26


    Do you know bird calls? John and Brian bet you know more than you realize. In this episode they bring the energy and expert tips to inspire anyone to take bird watching and listening to the next level.  

    A Note About Bird Song

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2022 38:34


    In the episode, John and Brian share about bird dads and their vocal secrets to success. They discuss why bird dads sing, what they are saying and how they learned their song. Plus, how did noise pollution and the quiet of the pandemic affect singing birds?  

    Episode #54: A Gathering of the Flock - WBU Store Owner Stories

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2022 38:10


    In this episode, John & Brian recorded live from the Wild Birds Unlimited annual conference where our store owners gathered for their annual migration to refresh, learn and find new treasures. You'll hear some fun as well as heart-warming store owner stories. Who knows? Maybe one of them is from your neck of woods (or backyard).  

    Episode #53 Hummingbirds: It's All About Mom!

    Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2022 25:42


    John and Brian discuss the best bird mom ever. Hummingbird moms are arguably one of the toughest ladies out there. With all the odds stacked against them, we should celebrate how hummingbird moms are the champions this Mother's Day. 

    Episode #52 Spring Secrets & Setups

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2022 33:37


    Ever wonder what others aren't telling you about backyard birding? Join John and Brian as they impart their spring secrets to increase your bird variety and activity this year. And, who? who? is that we're talking about at the end of the episode? 

    Habitat: Can You Really Make a Difference

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2022 34:30


    Habitat, habitat, habitat! That's right, there's more to learn about our own little natural parks we call our backyards. John and Brian share exciting new research on just how much of an impact an individual can make for local wildlife. Hint, it's a lot! Stay tuned to the end to find out if we could see the dodo again in our lifetimes. 

    Celebrating the Big Five Oh!

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2022 23:48


    Join John and Brian as they celebrate the 50th episode of Nature Centered while broadcasting from John's backyard. Brian grades John's bird feeding setups while giving you a closer look at how these pros like to feed. We're reading reviews, talking with our producer Evan, and finding out “what is moon migration?” 

    Nesting: A Bird's Eye View

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2022 30:31


    This year for nesting season, John and Brian are going to teach you what your backyard birds are looking for when they're “house shopping” for the right yard to raise a family, and how you can help your birds raise more birds with better chances to fledge. 

    State of the Union: Our Winter Birds

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2022 38:10


    Have new birds? Have no birds? John and Brian will fill you in on the state of our union … at least as it pertains to backyard birding. Listen in to find out who is seeing what and where across North America, and find out how squirrels actually help our backyard birds. 

    How to Participate in GBBC & Why It Matters

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2022 37:35


    Participate in GBBC February 18–21, 2022 | https://www.birdcount.org/   Watching birds is fun and recording what you see is extremely valuable to science, conservation and even you. Join John, Brian, and Becca Rodomsky-Bish from the Cornell lab of Ornithology as they talk about the upcoming citizen science project, the Great Backyard Bird Count, and follow up with food pairings for certain birds.  Special guest, Becca Rodomsky-Bish from Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Project Leader for the Great Backyard Bird Count. 

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