The hottest Urban wildlife Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Climate & Environment Topics

Robin: The Gateway Bird

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 399 implied HN points • 15 Aug 24
🎭️ Culture Nature Birdwatching Ecology Urban wildlife
  1. Robins are often the first birds people notice, making them a great introduction to birdwatching. They are recognizable and often found in urban areas, but many people overlook them.
  2. Despite being common, robins have interesting behaviors and adaptations. For example, they use their eyesight and hearing to find food, like earthworms, in clever ways.
  3. Connecting with local nature, like watching robins, can help us appreciate our surroundings and understand the ecosystem better. Observing these familiar birds can be surprising and fulfilling.

Urban Umwelt in Awe of Animals

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 199 implied HN points • 15 Feb 24
🔬 Science Biology Ecology Animal Behavior Urban wildlife
  1. Animals have unique ways of sensing their world that we often can't understand. For example, dogs like Taylor use their amazing noses to gather information that goes beyond what we can perceive.
  2. The concept of 'umwelt' shows that each species experiences their environment differently. This means animals interact with their surroundings in ways that are complex and rich, not simple or automatic.
  3. Learning about how animals sense the world can help us appreciate their lives and experiences more. It reminds us that our way of sensing things isn't the only way and that every creature has its own valuable perspective.

Otters in our Midst

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 279 implied HN points • 28 Sep 23
🔬 Science Zoology Ecology Urban wildlife Conservation Environmental Science
  1. Otters are important urban wildlife and their poop, called spraint, can tell us a lot about their diet and health. Researchers study spraint to understand what otters eat and to check for parasites or pollution.
  2. River otters tend to be clean and use specific spots, called latrines, to poop. This behavior might be social, but researchers aren't completely sure why they do it.
  3. Even in polluted areas, river otters are resilient and continue to survive and reproduce. It's important for us to help make urban environments healthier for wildlife.

Urban birdwatchers, conservation, and bending the biodiversity curve

This Week in Birding • 137 implied HN points • 20 Feb 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Conservation Biodiversity Urban wildlife Nature connection Environmental Activism
  1. Biodiversity loss is a significant threat and changing our ways is crucial for restoration.
  2. Landscaping yards with native plants can greatly support bird populations and wildlife.
  3. Engaging urban residents in observing nature can lead to more interest in conservation and restoration efforts.
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An Ode to Our Front Yard

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 179 implied HN points • 22 Dec 22
🌞 Climate & Environment Ecosystems Biodiversity Urban wildlife Sustainable Practices
  1. Having a wild yard filled with native plants can support local wildlife and create a thriving ecosystem. It's great to see more people choosing this over traditional grass lawns.
  2. Neighbors might not always appreciate these wild gardens, but they bring more life and diverse plants and animals. A messy yard to some can mean a home for many creatures.
  3. Don't call grass lawns 'green deserts.' Even if they don’t have much diversity, they still support some life. We should think about how we use water and resources in our yards.