Kindergarten and First Grade Nature Questions

Differentiating Butterflies and Moths

In this episode, we explore methods used to tell apart butterflies and moths, as well as a common fall butterfly in the Bay Area: the umber skipper. We also look at the role lepidopterans play in ecosystems and even some nocturnal butterflies! This episode also includes a poem about checkerspot butterflies. To learn more about how to tell apart butterflies and moths, read this article by the Library of Congress: https://www.loc.gov/everyday-mysteries/zoology/item/how-can-you-tell-the-difference-between-a-butterfly-and-a-moth/ [https://www.loc.gov/everyday-mysteries/zoology/item/how-can-you-tell-the-difference-between-a-butterfly-and-a-moth/]. This article from the Xerces Society was also very helpful: https://www.xerces.org/blog/moths-are-cool-too. [https://www.xerces.org/blog/moths-are-cool-too]

Seabirds in Fall

In this episode, we explore two common seabirds in the Bay Area: the Brown Pelican and Heermann's Gull. We then talk about how these birds are connected to each other, and discuss avian evolution. The episode concludes with a poem about Double-Crested Cormorants, another seabird common in this area. To learn more about the birds talked about in this episode, visit Cornell Lab of Ornithology's All About Birds website (https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/ [https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/]), which includes more information about Brown Pelicans and Heermann's gulls.

Spring Marshes

In this episode, we explore the Bay Area's many species of marsh birds, including the Snowy Egret, Bufflehead, and Double-crested Cormorant, and discuss their relationship with the marsh's ecosystems. This episode also includes an original poem about Buffleheads. Bird information for this episode was found on All About Birds, a birding website created by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/. [https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/] Information about Buffleheads came from Buffleheads by Anthony J Erskine, and information about Double-crested Cormorants came from The Devil's Cormorant by Richard J King. General information about ducks came from Ducks, Geese, and Swans of North America by Guy A. Baldassarre. I also mention Sacramento Heron and Egret Rescue. You can learn about their work here: https://sacheronsave.org/ [https://sacheronsave.org/].

Kindergarten and First Grade Nature Questions

In this episode, I answer nature questions asked by San Francisco Schoolhouse's K-1 class. Explore a wide variety of nature-related topics as we dive deeper into many subjects about the Bay Area's ecosystems.

Spring Mushrooms

In this episode, we explore four of our most common Bay Area mushrooms: Western Jack-ó-lantern, Turkey Tail, Artist's Conk, and Witch's Butter. As always, this episode concludes with a poem about nature. Sources and more information on specific subjects: Davis, Haley. The Most Eye-Catching Mushrooms to See in Winter, Bay Nature https://baynature.org/2021/02/10/top-5-winter-fungi-in-the-bay-area/ [https://baynature.org/2021/02/10/top-5-winter-fungi-in-the-bay-area/] Siegel, Noah. Mushrooms of the Redwood Coast, 2016 Turkey Tail, Encyclopedia of Life https://eol.org/pages/190215 [https://eol.org/pages/190215]