Ash throated flycatcher 839172 The Ash-throated Flycatcher is largely thought of as a desert bird. But they also nest in semi-arid habitats, like the open woodlands and chaparral found in much of eastern Sonoma County. Just like some other animals that live in the desert, the Ash-throated Flycatcher doesn’t need to drink. They get all the water they need from the insects they feed on! Every spring and summer the Ash-throated Flycatcher’s distinctive voice contributes to soundscapes across the West, from Texas to California. But by the end of August they take their music back to Mexico, and as far south as Central America. That’s where most Ash-throated Flycatchers spend the fall and winter.

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Environmental News

October 19, 2025

Ear to the Wild: The Sound of the Surf at Drakes Beach

With the busy-ness of one’s day to day life it’s easy to forget how the rhythms of nature can sooth us. It’s good to take a minute to tune into this place, and to all the other creatures who live here at Drakes Beach, in Point Reyes National Seashore.
September 28, 2025

Ear to the Wild: The Belted Kingfisher - Gustav’s “Mechanical Bird"

In memory of Gustav Hobel. My friend Gustav and I used to live next door to one another on Sonoma Creek. The Belted Kingfishers would fly by, calling, with that ratchety kind of sound that they have in their voice. That’s why he’d call them the “mechanical bird.”
Belted Kingfisher 24120918989
September 10, 2025

BeautifySJ

When San Jose volunteers feel the need to clean, BeautifySJ is there to supply all the tools and services necessary to facilitate their anti-litter activism.
September 10, 2025

The Trash Punx

“We’re a group of people…who want nothing but a cleaner world!”
May 27, 2025

The 3rd Annual Food and Wine Awards Recap

An unforgettable evening that brought together food lovers, changemakers, and public media supporters to celebrate the best of the Bay Area’s farms,…
Mar 10, 2025

Bay Area Bountiful: Fisher Creek Women

A group of women environmentalists from Point Blue Conservation Science and Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority get together to plant native…
Feb 25, 2025

Bay Area Bountiful: The Worm Lady

From thermal composting, to worm composting, to compost tea we see Alane O'Rielly spreading compost and spreading the good word about sustainable…

Ear to the Wild

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