Sightings grid
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 3/11/10
Observation Time: 5:45 p.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond Road across the street from the soccer fields
Common Name: American Woodcock
Scientific Name: Scolopax minor
Comments: The “peents” began at 5:45. The spectacular mating flights began about 6:00 p.m. They will continue every evening at dusk (getting later as the days grow longer) for another month or so. Call me at 781-784-2986 for more particulars on when and where to observe the woodcock mating flight.
Youtube video of woodcock mating flight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ta1fxy0MR2c&t=6s
Youtube video of woodcocks “waltzing”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSh9Shgwc5o
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Richard Mandell
Observation Date: 3/9/20
Observation Time: afternoon
Observation Location: 580 Mountain St.
Common Name: American Woodcock
Scientific Name: Scolopax minor
Comments: Woodcocks are also called timberdoodles. They nest on the ground, and are very well camouflaged.
Youtube video of woodcock mating flight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ta1fxy0MR2c&t=6s
Youtube video of woodcocks “waltzing”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSh9Shgwc5o
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Richard Mandell
Observation Date: 5/24/19
Observation Time: afternoon
Observation Location: 580 Mountain St.
Common Name: American Woodcock
Scientific Name: Scolopax minor
Comments: Woodcocks are also called timberdoodles. They nest on the ground, and are very well camouflaged.
Youtube video of woodcock mating flight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ta1fxy0MR2c&t=6s
Youtube video of woodcocks “waltzing”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSh9Shgwc5o
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 6/24/21
Observation Time: 3:40 p.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR)
Common Name: Amur Cork Tree
Scientific Name: Phellodendron amurense
Comments: Phellodendron amurense is a perennial tree that can grow from 35-45 ft. (10-14 m) tall. The tree has a short trunk with spreading branches. The bark is thick and corky.
This tree is demonstrating invasive characteristics in suburban and urban fringe forests. It escapes intended plantings to invade and displace native hardwood forest. Note: only female plants have potential to become invasive. Phellodendron amurense is native to eastern Asia and was introduced into the United States in 1856. Trees prefer full sun and rich soils.
More Information: Invasive Plant Atlas
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 6/19/13
Observation Time: 4:50 p.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond area
Common Name: Appalachian Brown Butterfly
Scientific Name: Satyrodes appalachia
Comments: Easily confused with Eyed Brown Butterfly (Satyrodes eurydice). See: http://www.naba.org/chapters/nabambc/frames-2species.asp?sp1=Satyrodes-eurydice&sp2=Satyrodes-appalachia
More Information: Mass Audubon
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/16/23
Observation Time: 4:55 p.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Ash Tree (diseased)
Scientific Name: genus Fraxinus
Comments: This tree was killed by emerald ash borer beetles, which have killed millions of ash trees and threaten the future of ash trees.
More Information: Britannica
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/22/18
Observation Time: 9:35 a.m.
Observation Location: banks of Beaver Brook (upstream of the tennis courts)
Common Name: Atlantic White Cedar tree
Scientific Name: Chamaecyparis thyoides
Comments: Atlantic White Cedars live almost exclusively in freshwater wetlands and are considered an obligate wetland species. They prefer habitats where the soil is saturated with water at least during the majority of the growing season. Though this tree species is not listed as threatened, Atlantic White Cedar wetlands are considered a globally threatened ecosystem, and often serve as carbon sinks because of their peat-building abilities. Caterpillars of the Hessel’s Hairstreak butterfly feed exclusively on C. thyoides, where its green color helps keep it camouflaged.
Sharon’s 250-acre Atlantic White Cedar swamp naturally purifies and stores the rainwater that recharges the springs that feed Lake Massapoag and the aquifers that provide Sharon residents with drinking water.
More Information: Wikipedia
The bark of Atlantic White Cedars has a spiral pattern up the tree trunk:
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 6/21/10
Observation Time: 10:40 a.m.
Observation Location: Beaver Brook near tennis courts
Common Name: Aurora Damsel
Scientific Name: Chromagrion conditum
Comments: When perched, the aurora damsel keeps its wings spread, unlike other damselflies that fold their wings above their abdomens.
More Information: Visiting Nature
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 11/6/06
Observation Time: 2:10 p.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond Road
Common Name: Autumn Olive
Scientific Name: Elaeagnus umbellata
Comments: Autumn-olive is a hardy, prolific shrub that thrives in a variety of conditions, in part because it is capable of fixing nitrogen. Some varieties can produce up to 80 pounds (37 kilos) of bright red edible berries in a season, which ripen in October and give the plant its common name. Introduced from Japan in 1830 and widely planted in the 1940s to revegetate disturbed habitats, it is now invasive in many parts of North America. Birds (especially starlings) and mammals relish its copious fruits and spread it far and wide.
Having a sweet and tart flavor when ripe, the berries can be eaten fresh or processed for jam, condiments, or fruit leather. When mature, the red berries contain carotenoids, including considerable amounts of lycopene, a substance also found in tomatoes, watermelon, pink grapefruit, pink guava, papaya, and rosehip.
More Information: Go Botany and Wikipedia
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/23/18
Observation Time: 9:10 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR)
Common Name: Autumn Olive
Scientific Name: Elaeagnus umbellata
Comments: Autumn-olive is a hardy, prolific shrub that thrives in a variety of conditions, in part because it is capable of fixing nitrogen. Some varieties can produce up to 80 pounds (37 kilos) of bright red edible berries in a season, which ripen in October and give the plant its common name. Introduced from Japan in 1830 and widely planted in the 1940s to revegetate disturbed habitats, it is now invasive in many parts of North America. Birds (especially starlings) and mammals relish its copious fruits and spread it far and wide.
Having a sweet and tart flavor when ripe, the berries can be eaten fresh or processed for jam, condiments, or fruit leather. When mature, the red berries contain carotenoids, including considerable amounts of lycopene, a substance also found in tomatoes, watermelon, pink grapefruit, pink guava, papaya, and rosehip.
More Information: Go Botany and Wikipedia
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/26/19
Observation Time: 2:40 p.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR)
Common Name: Autumn Olive
Scientific Name: Elaeagnus umbellata
Comments: Autumn-olive is a hardy, prolific shrub that thrives in a variety of conditions, in part because it is capable of fixing nitrogen. Some varieties can produce up to 80 pounds (37 kilos) of bright red edible berries in a season, which ripen in October and give the plant its common name. Introduced from Japan in 1830 and widely planted in the 1940s to revegetate disturbed habitats, it is now invasive in many parts of North America. Birds (especially starlings) and mammals relish its copious fruits and spread it far and wide.
The undersides of the leaves are silvery green – noticeably lighter than the top sides.
Having a sweet and tart flavor when ripe, the berries can be eaten fresh or processed for jam, condiments, or fruit leather. When mature, the red berries contain carotenoids, including considerable amounts of lycopene, a substance also found in tomatoes, watermelon, pink grapefruit, pink guava, papaya, and rosehip.
More Information: Go Botany and Wikipedia and Wintergreen Botanicals
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 4/27/23
Observation Time: 3:45 p.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR)
Common Name: Azure Bluet
Scientific Name: Houstonia caerulea
Comments: Azure bluets are also know as Quaker ladies.
More Information: Wikipedia
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/4/24
Observation Time: 11:40 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR)
Common Name: Azure Bluet
Scientific Name: Houstonia caerulea
Comments: Azure bluets are also know as Quaker ladies.
More Information: Wikipedia
Observer: Jeff Tatro
Observation Date: 1/19/09
Observation Time: 4:00 p.m.
Observation Location: Lake Massapoag shore, 100 yd SSE of Yacht Club Beach
Common Name: Bald Eagle
Scientific Name: Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Comments: Adult, big guy, plumage very clear. Perched 35 ft up in a tree, then took light toward Community Ctr. Positive ID!
More Information: Boidnoise: Adult Bald Eagle Call
Observer: Deborah Radovsky
Observation Date: 1/4/23
Observation Time: 3:15
Observation Location: Massapoag Ave, near Massapoag Lane, in a tree on edge of lake
Common Name: Bald Eagle
Scientific Name: Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Comments: This is a juvenile, between 3-4 years of age. Bald eagles can live a long time. The oldest recorded bird in the wild was at least 38 years old when it was hit and killed by a car in New York in 2015. It had been banded in the same state in 1977.
The largest bald eagle nest on record, in St. Petersburg, Florida, was 2.9 meters in diameter and 6.1 meters tall. Another famous nest—in Vermilion, Ohio—was shaped like a wine glass and weighed almost two metric tons. It was used for 34 years until the tree blew down.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Faith Berkland
Observation Date: 10/29/18
Observation Time: 8:00 AM
Observation Location: 302 Mansfield Street
Common Name: Bald Eagle
Scientific Name: Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Comments:
More Information: http://www.baldeagleinfo.com/
Observer: Todd Arnold
Observation Date: 11/30/18
Observation Time: 10:45 a.m.
Observation Location: Lake Massapoag
Common Name: Bald Eagle
Scientific Name: Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Comments: Large bird with white head and tail feathers spotted over Lake Massapoag. Unquestionably a bald eagle, it was seen riding the thermals before the clouds rolled in and covered the sun. Could this one be scouting a good spot to nest? Or was it just looking for something in the lake to eat?
More Information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bald_eagle
Observer: Alison Siegel
Observation Date: 12/20/09
Observation Time: noon
Observation Location: Lakeview St.
Common Name: Bald Eagle
Scientific Name: Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Comments: While drinking hot chocolate after a morning of sledding, four of us clearly saw a bald eagle fly over our backyard. It was flying from Lake Massapoag toward the woods.
More Information: All About Birds: Bald Eagle
Observer: Bonnie Tate
Observation Date: 12/30/13
Observation Time: 3:00 p.m.
Observation Location: Massapoag
Common Name: Bald Eagle
Scientific Name: Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Comments: Eating carrion on the lake just beyond Pond St. on Massapoag Ave.
More Information: Boidnoise: Adult Bald Eagle Call
Observer: Ken Weiner
Observation Date: 2/19/10
Observation Time: 2:00 p.m.
Observation Location: Chessman Drive, Sharon
Common Name: Bald Eagle
Scientific Name: Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Comments: Definite ID from about 200 ft away. Eagle was flying. Possibly a second eagle further away. Did not get picture.
More Information: All About Birds: Bald Eagle
Observer: Ilan Fisher
Observation Date: 2/24/09
Observation Time: 3:00 p.m.
Observation Location: Lake Massapoag
Common Name: Bald Eagle
Scientific Name: Haliaeetus leucocephalus
More Information: All About Birds: Bald Eagle
Observer: Carol Moawed
Observation Date: 3/20/13
Observation Time: 11:15 a.m.
Observation Location: Massapoag, near entrance to community
center
Common Name: Bald Eagle
Scientific Name: Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Comments: He was flying down near the edge of lake, it looked like he was going after something on the edge of the lake. I was shocked and thrilled to see him.
More Information: Boidnoise: Adult Bald Eagle Call
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 4/2/11
Observation Time: 4:15 p.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond soccer field parking lot
Common Name: Bald Eagle
Scientific Name: Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Comments: Adult with white head and tail. Very distinctive!
More Information: Boidnoise: Adult Bald Eagle Call
Observer: Deborah Radovsky
Observation Date: 6/14/22
Observation Time: morning
Observation Location: In tree along edge of lake, Massapoag Ave near Potter Avenue
Common Name: Bald Eagle
Scientific Name: Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Comments: Bald eagles can live a long time. The oldest recorded bird in the wild was at least 38 years old when it was hit and killed by a car in New York in 2015. It had been banded in the same state in 1977.
The largest bald eagle nest on record, in St. Petersburg, Florida, was 2.9 meters in diameter and 6.1 meters tall. Another famous nest—in Vermilion, Ohio—was shaped like a wine glass and weighed almost two metric tons. It was used for 34 years until the tree blew down.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Richard Kramer
Observation Date: 6/4/19
Observation Time: noon
Observation Location: Lake Massapoag
Common Name: Bald Eagle
Scientific Name: Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Comments: Bald eagles can live a long time. The oldest recorded bird in the wild was at least 38 years old when it was hit and killed by a car in New York in 2015. It had been banded in the same state in 1977.
The largest bald eagle nest on record, in St. Petersburg, Florida, was 2.9 meters in diameter and 6.1 meters tall. Another famous nest—in Vermilion, Ohio—was shaped like a wine glass and weighed almost two metric tons. It was used for 34 years until the tree blew down.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Ilan Fisher
Observation Date: 2/18/09
Observation Time: Early afternoon
Observation Location: Lake Massapoag across from Arboro Drive
Common Name: Bald Eagle & Deer
Scientific Name: Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Comments: A young bald eagle feeds on a deer carcass on the ice.
More Information: All About Birds: Bald Eagle
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/30/20
Observation Time: 4:30 p.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR)
Common Name: Bald-faced Hornet
Scientific Name: Dolichovespula maculata
Comments: The bald-faced hornet is related to yellowjacket wasps, and is not a true hornet. Its colloquial names include bald hornet, white-faced hornet, white-tailed hornet, spruce wasp, blackjacket, and bull wasp.
Bald-faced hornets are social insects and are most active during the day. They live in colonies of up to 700 members. Bald-faced hornets build paper carton nests in the area of the queen’s choosing, typically three or more feet off the ground, and usually in trees, shrubs, on overhangs, utility poles, houses, sheds or other structures. These nests can be as large as 14 inches in diameter and more than 24 inches in length. The individual in the photos below seemed to be chewing at the dead wood – perhaps to make nest-building wood pulp.
Bald-faced hornets usually appear in late summer. Males emerge from unfertilized eggs and impregnate the new females for the next season at the end of the summer. The inseminated insects are the only ones that overwinter, while the remaining members of the nest die off, and the process repeats the next spring and summer. Unlike other stinging insects, bald-faced hornets do not reuse their nests season after season. The new colony members rebuild them each year from new materials.
Bald-faced hornets are aggressive and will attack anyone who invades their space, unlike other stinging insects that only rarely sting when they feel threatened. Removal of a bald-faced hornet nest is dangerous, and should be left to a professional. These hornets have smooth stingers, so they can sting repeatedly, whereas other stinging insects, like honeybees, are only able to attack once before their stinger falls off.
More Information: Wikipedia
Observer: Richard Mandell
Observation Date: November, 2018
Observation Time: N/A
Observation Location: 280 Mountain Street
Common Name: Bald-faced Hornet
Scientific Name: Dolichovespula maculata
Comments: The bald-faced hornet is related to yellowjacket wasps, and is not a true hornet. Its colloquial names include bald hornet, white-faced hornet, white-tailed hornet, spruce wasp, blackjacket, and bull wasp.
Bald-faced hornets are social insects and are most active during the day. They live in colonies of up to 700 members. Bald-faced hornets build paper carton nests in the area of the queen’s choosing, typically three or more feet off the ground, and usually in trees, shrubs, on overhangs, utility poles, houses, sheds or other structures. These nests can be as large as 14 inches in diameter and more than 24 inches in length.
Bald-faced hornets usually appear in late summer. Males emerge from unfertilized eggs and impregnate the new females for the next season at the end of the summer. The inseminated insects are the only ones that overwinter, while the remaining members of the nest die off, and the process repeats the next spring and summer. Unlike other stinging insects, bald-faced hornets do not reuse their nests season after season. The new colony members rebuild them each year from new materials.
Bald-faced hornets are aggressive and will attack anyone who invades their space, unlike other stinging insects that only rarely sting when they feel threatened. Removal of a bald-faced hornet nest is dangerous, and should be left to a professional. These hornets have smooth stingers, so they can sting repeatedly, whereas other stinging insects, like honeybees, are only able to attack once before their stinger falls off.
More Information: Wikipedia
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 6/25/15
Observation Time: 2:00 p.m.
Observation Location: Town-owned land at Morse and Lakeview Streets
Common Name: Baltimore Checkerspot butterfly
Scientific Name: Euphydryas phaeton
Comments: This field experienced a population explosion of Baltimore Checkerspot butterflies. All phases could be found at the same time: eggs, caterpillars, chrysalises and adults.
More Information: Massachusetts Butterfly Club
Eggs:
Caterpillar:
Caterpillar weaving cocoon:
Chrysalis:
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 7/7/18
Observation Time: 2:35 p.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR)
Common Name: Baltimore Checkerspot butterfly
Scientific Name: Euphydryas phaeton
Comments: I saw just one Baltimore checkerspot among other butterfly species feeding on dogbane blossoms.
More Information: Massachusetts Butterfly Club
Observer: Josh Simons
Observation Date: 11/21/12
Observation Time: 9:00 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill area
Common Name: Baltimore Oriole
Scientific Name: Icterus galbula
Comments: I’m told this is an immature male oriole. Unusual to see in November.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/10/12
Observation Time: 7:00 p.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond Dam
Common Name: Baltimore Oriole
Scientific Name: Icterus galbula
Comments: First I heard the flutelike call, and then I spotted the brilliant orange oriole in an oak tree just pushing out its first leaves of spring. Even though it was 7:00 p.m. and the sun was low, the bird fairly glowed. I wonder how such a gaudy creature manages to escape the notice of hawks.
Orioles weave hanging nests, and feed on fruit, nectar and insects. They have a counterpart in the tropics called a troupial, which is slightly larger, but sings an uncannily similar song.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Josh Simons
Observation Date: 5/12/20
Observation Time: 3:00 p.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill area
Common Name: Baltimore Oriole
Scientific Name: Icterus galbula
Comments: The oriole’s flutelike call is quite distinctive, once you know what to listen for.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/12/23
Observation Time: 6:05 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon WIldlife Sanctuary (Billings Loop near the barn)
Common Name: Baltimore Oriole
Scientific Name: Icterus galbula
Comments: A pair of orioles has woven a hanging nest in one of the two huge sugar maple trees near the Billings Loop barn. Those two sugar
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Josh Simons
Observation Date: 5/13/23
Observation Time: 4:00 p.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Parkway
Common Name: Baltimore Oriole
Scientific Name: Icterus galbula
Comments: Baltimore Orioles seek out ripe fruit. Cut oranges in half and hang them from trees to invite orioles into your yard. Special oriole feeders filled with sugar water supplement the flower nectar that Baltimore Orioles gather. You can even put out small amounts of jelly to attract these nectar-eaters (just don’t put out so much that it risks soiling their feathers). Planting bright fruits and nectar-bearing flowers, such as raspberries, crab apples, and trumpet vines, can attract Baltimore Orioles year after year. Find out more about what this bird likes to eat and what feeder is best by using the Project FeederWatch Common Feeder Birds bird list.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/14/14
Observation Time: 2:20 p.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Baltimore Oriole
Scientific Name: Icterus galbula
Comments: Orioles weave a unique hanging nest.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/14/15
Observation Time: 6:45
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Baltimore Oriole
Scientific Name: Icterus galbula
Comments: Baltimore orioles are among the most brightly colored birds found in Sharon. They weave remarkable hanging nests.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/2/25
Observation Time: 10:15 p.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Baltimore Oriole
Scientific Name: Icterus galbula
Comments: Baltimore Orioles seek out ripe fruit. Cut oranges in half and hang them from trees to invite orioles into your yard. Special oriole feeders filled with sugar water supplement the flower nectar that Baltimore Orioles gather. You can even put out small amounts of jelly to attract these nectar-eaters (just don’t put out so much that it risks soiling their feathers). Planting bright fruits and nectar-bearing flowers, such as raspberries, crab apples, and trumpet vines, can attract Baltimore Orioles year after year. Find out more about what this bird likes to eat and what feeder is best by using the Project FeederWatch Common Feeder Birds bird list.
Baltimore orioles build distinctive hanging nests, which have been spotted in past years in the two giant sugar maples near the barn on the Billings Loop.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/26/19
Observation Time: 3:40 p.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (formerly the Kendall Estate)
Common Name: Baltimore Oriole
Scientific Name: Icterus galbula
Comments: I heard this oriole’s flutelike call before I spotted it.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/6/15
Observation Time: 2:30 p.m.
Observation Location: tree near Gavins Pond
Common Name: Baltimore Oriole
Scientific Name: Icterus galbula
Comments: I heard this oriole’s flutelike call before I spotted it. You can listen to a recording of an oriole’s song at: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Baltimore_Oriole/sounds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/8/23
Observation Time: 8:45 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon WIldlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Baltimore Oriole
Scientific Name: Icterus galbula
Comments: The oriole’s flutelike call is quite distinctive, once you know what to listen for. I heard this oriole before I saw it.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Punitha Hanumantha
Observation Date: 5/25/23
Observation Time: 5:00 p.m.
Observation Location: Fales Rd., Sharon
Common Name: Baltimore Oriole (female or immature male)
Scientific Name: Icterus galbula
Comments: Baltimore Orioles seek out ripe fruit. Cut oranges in half and hang them from trees to invite orioles into your yard. Special oriole feeders filled with sugar water supplement the flower nectar that Baltimore Orioles gather. You can even put out small amounts of jelly to attract these nectar-eaters (just don’t put out so much that it risks soiling their feathers). Planting bright fruits and nectar-bearing flowers, such as raspberries, crab apples, and trumpet vines, can attract Baltimore Orioles year after year. Find out more about what this bird likes to eat and what feeder is best by using the Project FeederWatch Common Feeder Birds bird list.
More information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/13/19
Observation Time: 7:00 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Baltimore Oriole (female)
Scientific Name: Icterus galbula
Comments: Baltimore oriole females are much drabber than the bright-orange males. This acrobatic individual seemed to be eating the petals of this flowering crabapple tree.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/16/20
Observation Time: 7:35 a.m.
Observation Location: parking area at Gavins Pond soccer fields
Common Name: Baltimore Oriole (female)
Scientific Name: Icterus galbula
Comments: I spotted this female oriole as I was about to get into the car and leave. Nature finds you if you spend time outside, especially in a town like Sharon with plenty of natural open spaces and trails.
The oriole’s flutelike call is quite distinctive, once you know what to listen for.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/9/23
Observation Time: 6:50 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon WIldlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Baltimore Oriole
Scientific Name: Icterus galbula
Comments: This oriole was building its hanging nest in one of the huge sugar maple trees near the barn on the Billings Loop.
More Information: All About Birds
This last photo was taken on 5/11/23. The nest is almost complete in just two days!
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/12/16
Observation Time: 7:50 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Baltimore Oriole
Scientific Name: Icterus galbula
Comments: Baltimore orioles are among the most brightly colored birds found in Sharon. They weave remarkable hanging nests.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/19/20
Observation Time: 11:10 a.m.
Observation Location: under the high tension lines across the street from the Gavins Pond soccer fields
Common Name: Baltimore Oriole
Scientific Name: Icterus galbula
Comments: The oriole’s flutelike call is quite distinctive, once you know what to listen for.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 7/4/13
Observation Time: 8:30 a.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond area
Common Name: Band-winged Meadowhawk dragonfly
Scientific Name: Sympetrum semicinctum
More Information: Wikipedia
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 6/26/15
Observation Time: 4:30 p.m.
Observation Location: Town-owned land at Morse and Lakeview Streets
Common Name: Banded Hairstreak butterfly
Scientific Name: Satyrium calanus
Comments: This small butterfly was feeding on milkweed blossoms. Banded hairstreaks are very similar to striped hairstreaks. The blue marginal spot on the hind wing is capped with orange in the striped hairstreak but not in the banded hairstreak.
More Information: Massachusetts Butterfly Club
