On the Nature Trail - A Podcast

In this special 100th episode of On the Nature Trail, we look back and listen to some of the moments, sounds, and stories that have filled the podcast over the years. What began as a simple way to share the sounds and stories of New Hampshire’s natural world has grown into an invitation to slow […]

In this episode of On the Nature Trail, we explore the changing sounds of New Hampshire’s birds as summer gives way to fall. September may seem quieter than spring, but forests, fields, and skies are filled with activity as birds gather in flocks, search for food, and prepare for journeys that may span thousands of […]

In this episode of On the Nature Trail, we step outside on a warm August afternoon to discover the tiny musicians creating one of late summer’s most familiar sounds: cicadas. Hidden among the treetops, these insects spend most of their lives underground as nymphs before emerging for a few remarkable weeks as winged adults. Learn […]

In this episode of On the Nature Trail, we wander through a warm Appalachian pine forest where tiny traps hidden in the sand reveal the presence of one of nature’s most fascinating predators: antlion larvae. Beneath the surface, these patient hunters wait at the bottom of carefully constructed pits, ready to capture unsuspecting ants and […]

In this episode of On the Nature Trail, we spend time in a backyard alive with the sounds of late spring, where a pair of house wrens transforms a weathered birdhouse into a bustling family home. Follow the energetic male as he gathers sticks and fills the air with his cheerful, bubbling song to attract […]

In this episode of On the Nature Trail, we visit a quiet New Hampshire pond in early spring, where the first warm days bring painted turtles out to bask on sunlit logs. With their bright red and yellow markings, these turtles emerge after surviving winter in near-frozen, muddy conditions using a remarkable ability to absorb […]

In this episode of On the Nature Trail, we step into the quiet, snow-covered forests of New Hampshire at night to listen for the enchanting calls of owls. From the deep, resonant hoots of the Great Horned Owl to the playful “who cooks for you?” of the Barred Owl, these nocturnal voices fill the winter […]

In this episode of On the Nature Trail, we take a quiet, snowy walk along a frozen New Hampshire pond, seeking out the subtle winter signs of the muskrat. We observe the tell-tale muskrat lodge and discuss how these hardworking, semi-aquatic rodents survive the deep freeze without hibernating. Learn the specialized traits that allow them […]

In this episode of On the Nature Trail, we pause near a woodland pond on a cool October morning, where the loud, musical trill of the gray treefrog echoes through the air. Hard to spot at just two inches long, these tiny amphibians can blend perfectly with bark or leaves, yet their call carries astonishing […]

In this episode of On the Nature Trail, we step beside a clear New Hampshire stream in late September and discover the brook trout, a brilliantly patterned fish with bright orange bellies and scattered blue-and-red spots. As autumn deepens, these trout move into gravelly shallows to spawn, shaping the next generation of their species. We […]

In this episode of On the Nature Trail, we wander the salt marshes of New Hampshire on a quiet September afternoon and encounter the striking snowy egret. With its ghostlike white feathers, black legs, and bright yellow feet, this elegant shorebird glides through tidal creeks in search of fish, shrimp, and frogs. We explore its […]

In this episode of On the Nature Trail, we explore the rocky tidepools of New Hampshire’s seacoast and search for one of the ocean’s most fascinating invertebrates: the sea star. Though often called “starfish,” these echinoderms aren’t fish at all. With spiny skin, flexible arms, and remarkable eyespots that detect light and movement, sea stars […]

In this episode of On the Nature Trail, we explore the saltmarshes of New Hampshire at low tide and encounter the striking willet, a tall shorebird known for its bold wing patterns and piercing calls. Once nearly gone from northern coasts, willets have made a quiet comeback. We follow their movements through tidal creeks, courtship […]

In this episode of On the Nature Trail, we kneel beside a quiet tidepool along New Hampshire’s rocky shore and catch a fleeting glimpse of the Atlantic rock crab. With its spiny carapace and stealthy movements, this resilient crustacean thrives in a constantly changing world of waves, predators, and hidden corners. From larval drift to […]

In this episode of On the Nature Trail, we head to the rocky coast of New Hampshire in July to observe the sleek and curious harbor seal. From bobbing heads in the surf to basking on sunlit rocks, these “sea dogs” are a fascinating part of our coastal ecosystem. We explore their biology, behavior, and […]