Mothman: The Continuing Saga

[Ian David]

I was in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, in March 2011—with fellow cryptozoologist Loren Coleman—to be filmed for a TV documentary on "Mothman." (I'll no doubt have more to say about this when the show airs.)

Mothman is the name a journalist fancifully gave to a great winged creature seen in the vicinity of Point Pleasant—first on the night of November 15, 1966, then on successive occasions for the following year. Eyewitnesses described it as somewhat resembling a man but walking with a shuffling gait or flying with big wings in a mothlike or noiseless flight. It had a "funny little face" and eyes that some would later mistakenly report "glowed" but that witnesses at the time insisted only shone; they were fiercely crimson "like automobile reflectors" when lights were pointed it its direction.

In my new book, Tracking the Man-Beasts, I relate my fieldwork that helped me solve the Mothman mystery—identifying it as a barred owl that eyewitnesses misperceived as much larger than it was. Mothman was first seen at the McClintic Wildlife Management Area, indeed a bird sanctuary! In addition, I track the fabled creature—the subject of books, countless articles, a Hollywood movie, and a museum and statue in downtown Point Pleasant—in folklore and fakelore.

I also trace its iconography (i.e., the evolution of its appearance): for example it later sprouted arms and took on some of the features of aliens and the silly "chupacabra" (which is also featured in Tracking the Man-Beasts). And I discuss the results of an experiment in perception that I conducted, relating to Mothman sightings, for the popular TV series Monster Quest.

More:
http://www.centerforinquiry.net/blogs/entry/mothman_the_continuing_saga/

[Stuckinthebush]

1. The Mothman Prophesies was a fun movie

It seems like many locations have their "monsters". Witches, Bigfoots (Bigfeet?), Ghosts, Mothmen, Swampmen, Aliens.

We are an interesting species.

[semillama]

2. The Barred Owl hypothesis makes sense

Although they really aren't that big a bird. But their facial disc may have an influence of size perception, though.