Putting on Your Moth Goggles
Two moth enthusiasts chat about getting started with mothing.
Author Archives: Allen Fish
Allen Fish is a Bay Area–raised naturalist/biologist, writer, and teacher. For 40 years, he was director of the Golden Gate Raptor Observatory, an award-winning wildlife-monitoring program of the National Park Service. In the 2000s, he taught raptor biology at his alma mater, UC Davis, and in 2012 he helped Lisa Owens Viani start Raptors Are the Solution. His past Bay Nature articles include accounts of owl pellets, red-shouldered hawks, and golden-crowned sparrows.
Tips for Moth-Lighting
First, tack up a white sheet outside, on a wall, fence, tree, or clothesline.
Moth Goggles
We’re surrounded by a world of insects that we barely notice. Put on your goggles and get immersed in the riot of colors and patterns, and the lives of moths.
What’s That Weird Ball Coming Out Of That Bird’s Mouth?
For birds of prey, this may be the closest equivalent to a cat's hairball. The pellet is a necessary means to get rid of indigested material.
When Red-Shouldered Hawks Arrive, You’ll Hear them First and Loudest
The red-shouldered hawk is perhaps California's noisiest raptor. There's a reason for it.
The Golden-Crowned Sparrow’s Winter Song Returns to the Bay Area
Listen for the winter song of the golden-crowned sparrow, which arrives following a spectacular migration every fall.
Why is Autumn a Good Time to See Raptors in the Bay Area? Where is Best?
For many birds, autumn is a flurry of eating and movement to find stuff to eat, before winter sets in. The same is true for raptors and their prey. In...
