Hobbitstee Wildlife Refuge Podcast on Nature and Things

Bat Talk with Aiden Wouters and Brad Baker

Fri, 01 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

In this episode we chat about bats with Aiden Wouters (acedemic) and Brad Baker (ecologist/Consultant). Both work in the field with bats both in Ontario and abroad. Aiden, Brad and myself are members of the organizing committee of the Ontario Bat Network Annual Conference.

During this episode I learned about vampire bats on treadmills and bats who eat frogs, go fishing and so much more.

We love your feedback and suggestions. Let us know what you think!

visit our website at: https://www.hobbitstee.com/index.php

What you need to know about phragmites in Ontario with Eric Shepherd and Ryan Davidson

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0400

Phragmites is a very widespread harmful invasive species plant in Ontario. On this episode we chat with Ryan Davidson and Eric Shepherd about what we can do to combat phragmites.

Here are some useful links to websites mentioned during the podcast:

https://www.eddmaps.org/

https://www.ontarioinvasiveplants.ca/resources/grow-me-instead/

https://www.ontarioinvasiveplants.ca/

We love your feedback and suggestions. Let us know what you think!

visit our website at: https://www.hobbitstee.com/index.php

The Snakes of Ontario with Ryan Wolfe

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Learn more about the fascinating world of the 14 (or so) species of snakes who live in Ontario. My guest Ryan Wolfe is a Wildlife Biologist who currently works as a consultant for Natural Resource Solutions Inc. He has spend a lot of time researching various species of snakes in Ontario including Blue Racers, Hognosed Snakes, Grey Ratsnakes and Fox Snakes.

Time to set your fears aside and learn a bit more about these facinating creatures

We love your feedback and suggestions. Let us know what you think!

visit our website at: https://www.hobbitstee.com/index.php

A talk about wildlife diseases with Scott Weese

Sun, 01 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0500

In this podcast we talk to J. Scott Weese, DVM DVSc DipACVIM. He is a veterinary internist and microbiologist, and a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. He is a Professor at the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph and a Zoonotic Disease/Public health Microbiologist at the University of Guelph’s Centre for Public Health and Zoonoses. He is also Chief of Infection Control at the Ontario Veterinary College Teaching Hospital and holds a Canada Research Chair in zoonotic diseases. He is also the author of the 'Worms and Germs' blog.

Dr. Weese is one of many of my go to people when I encounter a wildlife disease issue and don't know what to do.

We love your feedback and suggestions. Let us know what you think!

visit our website at: https://www.hobbitstee.com/index.php

Native butterfly recovery projects

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode we talk to Andalyne Tofflemire from the Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory about some of the butterfly recovery projects they are involved with including the Mottled Duskywing re-introduction.

We also talk about monarch tagging and the potential for upcoming projects invloving some extirpated species of butterflies.

for more information on the Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory click here:https://www.cambridgebutterfly.com/ (it is a wonderful place to visit)

T find the documentary made on the Mottled Duskywing Re-introduction click here: https://www.mcintyre.ca/titles/PPE045

The documentary is also available through the Toronto Library

(picture is of a Cecropia moth found on the Hobbitstee property in 2024)

We love your feedback and suggestions. Let us know what you think!

visit our website at: https://www.hobbitstee.com/index.php

Native plant gardening and why you should jump on that bandwagon

Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:00 -0500

This episode is all about native plants for your garden as a nice little lead up to spring. Our guest is Adam from Prairie Song Nursery and Restoration. Adam's plant nursery specializes in native plants for gardens and yards and he has an amazing wealth of knowledge on nature in general.

I love shopping at Prarie Song for plants as it is always a great learning experience.

Prairie Song nursery is located in Port Rowan and you can connect with them via facebook.

We love your feedback and suggestions. Let us know what you think!

visit our website at: https://www.hobbitstee.com/index.php

Southern Ontario's at risk reptiles with Scott Gillingwater

Wed, 05 Feb 2025 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode we chat with Scott Gillingwater from SOARR (Southern Ontario's at risk reptiles). Scott is a Species at Risk Biologist and is most famous for his work with Spiny Softshell Turtles, but has worked with a large variety of other endangered reptiles in Ontario.

In this episode we talked about them all!

if you love reptiles native to Ontario, this is the episode for you!

To connect with Scott and/or SOAR visit the following links:

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/soarr_reptile/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/SouthernOntarioAtRiskReptiles/

Donations:

https://www.thamesriverdonations.ca/species-at-risk

We love your feedback and suggestions. Let us know what you think!

visit our website at: https://www.hobbitstee.com/index.php

Wildlife Disease Surveillance with Brian Stevens from CWHC

Thu, 23 Jan 2025 06:00:00 -0500

This episode we chat with Brian Stevens who is the pathologist for the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative (CWHC). CWCH is the agency responsible for wildlife disease surveillance in our country.

This podcast could have been several hours long as I had many more questions to ask, but for now I think we created and interesting and informative episode. We addressed a variety of wildlife diseases (some newly emerging and some more established ones). We also talked about some unusual things such as kidney worms and how to necropsy a sea-slug.

If you need to contact CWHC or to peruse the awesome resources on their website please visit: https://www.cwhc-rcsf.ca/

We love your feedback and suggestions. Let us know what you think!

visit our website at: https://www.hobbitstee.com/index.php

All about trees with Forestry Technician Eric Shepherd

Thu, 09 Jan 2025 15:00:00 -0500

A wonderful chat with Eric Shepherd who is a Forestry Technician for the Haldimand Stewardship Council.

We talk about different types of forests and why afforestation is so important, the importance of tree seed collection from rarer Carolinian tree species, tree diversity and tree diseases and so much more.

For anyone who'd like to get ahold of Eric or learn more about the afforestation programs of the Haldimand Stewardship Council.

We love your feedback and suggestions. Let us know what you think!

visit our website at: https://www.hobbitstee.com/index.php

All about birding with Hugh and Julia

Fri, 27 Dec 2024 13:00:00 -0500

Fun episode with our resident bird nerds Hugh and Julia.

We love your feedback and suggestions. Let us know what you think!

visit our website at: https://www.hobbitstee.com/index.php

When wildlife invades your home - with Jared from Ontario Wildlife Removal

Tue, 03 Dec 2024 06:00:00 -0500

Jared from Ontario Wildlife Removal talks about the humane methods his company uses to remove/prevent/deter wildlife from sharing our homes.

We talked about a wide variety of species (from bats to raccoons and more) and what preventative measure you (the home owner) can take.

We also spoke about the awesome Owl Nest Box fundraiser Ontario Wildlife Removal does with proceeds getting donated to various charities included Hobbitstee.

Learn more about Ontario Wildlife Removal by visiting their website: https://www.ontariowildliferemoval.ca/

We love your feedback and suggestions. Let us know what you think!

visit our website at: https://www.hobbitstee.com/index.php

Going batty!

Fri, 29 Nov 2024 15:00:00 -0500

It is bat season! Learn a bit about bats in Ontario and what to do when you find a bat awake during the winter months.

We love your feedback and suggestions. Let us know what you think!

visit our website at: https://www.hobbitstee.com/index.php

When wildlife invades your car

Tue, 26 Nov 2024 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode we hear from automotive service technician #JustDave about some of the issue that can occur when wildlife start using cars as their home and what preventative measures can be taken.

We love your feedback and suggestions. Let us know what you think!

visit our website at: https://www.hobbitstee.com/index.php

The Virginia Opossum in Ontario

Thu, 21 Nov 2024 11:00:00 -0500

In this episode I share some fun adaptations and facts about the Virginia Opossum in Ontario. Some things you maybe knew already, but hopefully some will be new to you

We love your feedback and suggestions. Let us know what you think!

visit our website at: https://www.hobbitstee.com/index.php

A little about Hobbitstee Wildlife Refuge

Tue, 19 Nov 2024 14:00:00 -0500

This will be the least fun of all Hobbitstee podcast. This one is about Hobbitstee, how it started and what we do and where we are now.

Be kind with your feedback. I am new to this and yes, I say uhm way to many times!

We love your feedback and suggestions. Let us know what you think!

visit our website at: https://www.hobbitstee.com/index.php