Sightings grid
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/21/16
Observation Time: 3:20 p.m.
Observation Location: Kendall Estate, Moose Hill Street
Common Name: Wild geranium
Scientific Name: Geranium maculatum
Comments: Geranium maculatum, the wild geranium, spotted geranium, or wood geranium, is a perennial plant native to woodlands of eastern North America, from southern Manitoba and southwestern Quebec south to Alabama and Georgia and west to Oklahoma and South Dakota.
More Information: Wikipedia
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/23/18
Observation Time: 9:30 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Wild geranium
Scientific Name: Geranium maculatum
Comments: Geranium maculatum, the wild geranium, spotted geranium, or wood geranium, is a perennial plant native to woodlands of eastern North America, from southern Manitoba and southwestern Quebec south to Alabama and Georgia and west to Oklahoma and South Dakota.
More Information: Wikipedia
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/26/19
Observation Time: 2:45 p.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (formerly the Kendall Estate)
Common Name: Wild geranium
Scientific Name: Geranium maculatum
Comments: Geranium maculatum, the wild geranium, spotted geranium, or wood geranium, is a perennial plant native to woodlands of eastern North America.
More Information: USDA Forest Service
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 6/5/11
Observation Time: 3:20 p.m.
Observation Location: Kendall Estate, Moose Hill Street
Common Name: Wild geranium
Scientific Name: Geranium maculatum
Comments: Geranium maculatum, the wild geranium, spotted geranium, or wood geranium, is a perennial plant native to woodlands of eastern North America, from southern Manitoba and southwestern Quebec south to Alabama and Georgia and west to Oklahoma and South Dakota.
More Information: Wikipedia
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 9/7/20
Observation Time: 5:30 p.m.
Observation Location: Conservation land at Morse & Lakeview
Common Name: Wild Grapes
Scientific Name: Vitis spp.
Comments: Wild grapevines are native to eastern North America.
I smelled these wild grapes before I saw the grapevine laden with purple fruit climbing a tree beside the trail.
Be careful not to confuse wild grapes, which are edible, with Canadian Moon Seeds, which are poisonous.
More Information: Identifying Wild Grapes or Gardening Knowhow
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 6/6/11
Observation Time: 2:20 p.m.
Observation Location: field near Gavins Pond Dam
Common Name: Wild Indigo
Scientific Name: Baptisia australis
Comments: It is a perennial upright bushy plant with attractive foliage. Blossoms in mid-summer are bright yellow. Seed heads turn a deep indigo color providing winter interest.
More Information: Wikipedia
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 7/22/15
Observation Time: 5:00 p.m.
Observation Location: field near Gavins Pond Dam
Common Name: Wild Indigo
Scientific Name: Baptisia australis
Comments: It is a perennial upright bushy plant with attractive foliage and yellow blossoms. Seed heads turn a deep indigo color providing winter interest.
More Information: Wikipedia
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 6/9/13
Observation Time: 2:15 p.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond area
Common Name: Wild Iris
Scientific Name: Iris virginica shrevei
Comments: These gorgeous flowers bloom in spring around Sharon. These are also known as Harlequin Blueflag and Northern Blue Flag. Look for them in swamps, marshes, and wet shorelines from Virginia to Canada. Watch honeybees and native bees land on the large petal, which must look AMAZING in their ultraviolet-shifted vision, and scoot down into the nectary through the roofed-over passage. Sometimes they’ll exit on the side if they are small enough.
More Information: Backyard and Beyond
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/12/11
Observation Time: 8:35 a.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond Road near soccer field parking lot
Common Name: Wild mustard
Scientific Name: Barbarea vulgaris Aiton
Comments: Also called yellow rocket, or early winter cress, introduced from Eurasia.
More Information: Wikipedia
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 7/7/18
Observation Time: 12:50 p.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR)
Common Name: Wild Onion or Crow Garlic
Scientific Name: Allium vineale
Comments: Instead of flowers, they have bulbils, which are miniature sprouts not unlike garlic cloves.
More Information: Wikipedia or GoBotany
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 10/2/13
Observation Time: 12:15 p.m.
Observation Location: woods near Beaver Brook
Common Name: Wild Sarsaparilla
Scientific Name: Aralia nudicaulis
Comments: You might know Sarsaparilla as a sweet soft drink that was first introduced in the 19th century. Wild sarsaparilla is a common plant found in the northern and eastern parts of North America and grows on creeping underground stems. This plant was used as food when hunting or during wars because it was so sustaining. Wild sarsaparilla had a much wider use among native people because of its many medicinal purposes that treated everything from sores to toothaches.
While going through old photos on my computer, I came across this photo of yellow leaves. I opened an app on my cell phone called Seek by iNaturalist and pointed the phone at my computer monitor. The app immediately identified the leaves as wild sarsaparilla.
More Information: Stories from the Wigwam
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 4/27/23
Observation Time: 3:30 p.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) along dirt road under high tension wires
Common Name: Wild strawberry
Scientific Name: Fragaria virginiana
Comments: Found in patches in fields and dry openings, this plant produces tasty strawberries.
More Information: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 3/12/24
Observation Time: 5 p.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Wild Turkey
Scientific Name: Meleagris gallopavo
Comments: Wild turkeys are often seen near the headquarters building of the Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary. They glean bird seed that spills from the bird feeders onto the ground.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Josh Simons
Observation Date: 3/18/11
Observation Time: 8:00 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill area
Common Name: Wild Turkey
Scientific Name: Meleagris gallopavo
Comments: One of our largest and heaviest birds; smaller than a Trumpeter Swan; about twice the size (and four times as heavy) as a Ring-necked Pheasant. However, they can still fly. At night, groups of turkeys roost in trees.
More Information: Cornell Lab of Ornithology “All About Birds”
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 4/28/25
Observation Time: 8 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Wild Turkey
Scientific Name: Meleagris gallopavo
Comments: This lone male was showing off near the barn on the Billings Loop. Sometimes turkeys attack people, but this one left me alone.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 4/29/26
Observation Time: 10 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Wild Turkey
Scientific Name: Meleagris gallopavo
Comments: Wild turkeys are often seen near the headquarters building of the Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary. They glean bird seed that spills from the bird feeders onto the ground.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 4/30/18
Observation Time: 8:00 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon
Common Name: Wild Turkey
Scientific Name: Meleagris gallopavo
Comments: Male (“tom”) turkeys display in springtime mating season to compete for status and the opportunity to mate.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/13/19
Observation Time: 9:00 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Wild Turkey
Scientific Name: Meleagris gallopavo
Comments: As wild turkey numbers dwindled through the early twentieth century, people began to look for ways to reintroduce this valuable game bird. Initially they tried releasing farm turkeys into the wild but those birds didn’t survive. In the 1940s, people began catching wild birds and transporting them to other areas. Such transplantations allowed Wild Turkeys to spread to all of the lower 48 states (plus Hawaii) and parts of southern Canada.
More Information: All About Birds
PS – Check out this documentary called “My Life as a Turkey”: https://www.documentarystorm.com/my-life-as-a-turkey/
Observer: Ilan Fisher
Observation Date: 5/20/20
Observation Time: 5:00 p.m.
Observation Location: Bayberry Drive
Common Name: Wild Turkey
Scientific Name: Meleagris gallopavo
Comments: Red team vs. Blue team – truly American birds! So much so that Ben Franklin thought the wild turkey would be preferable to the bald eagle as a national symbol. See: https://www.history.com/news/did-benjamin-franklin-propose-the-turkey-as-the-national-symbol
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Peter Higgins
Observation Date: 6/8/08
Observation Time: 6:15 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm
Common Name: Wild Turkey
Scientific Name: Meleagris gallopavo
Comments: This was my first venture to Moosehill Farm in the early hours and seeing this group of Tom Turkeys strutting their stuff got me hooked. Since that time I go up as often as possible. A week ago I stood quietly at the edge of a field and something caught my eye, a coyote was running full speed across the field.
More Information: Cornell Lab of Ornithology “All About Birds”
Additional Photos:
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 7/14/21
Observation Time: 2:45 p.m.
Observation Location: my back yard (4 Gavins Pond Rd.)
Common Name: Wild Turkey
Scientific Name: Meleagris gallopavo
Comments: I photographed this hen and her chicks out my bedroom window.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Judy Heap
Observation Date: 8/11/10
Observation Time: evening
Observation Location: Wilshire Drive backyard
Common Name: Wild Turkey
Scientific Name: Meleagris gallopavo
Comments: Wild turkeys can be aggressive, so keep a safe distance.
More Information: Cornell Lab of Ornithology “All About Birds”
Observer: Deb Radovsky
Observation Date: 5/5/18
Observation Time: 8:50 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill, Kettle Trail
Common Name: Wild Turkey
Scientific Name: Meleagris gallopavo
Comments: As Wild Turkey numbers dwindled through the early twentieth century, people began to look for ways to reintroduce this valuable game bird. Initially they tried releasing farm turkeys into the wild but those birds didn’t survive. In the 1940s, people began catching wild birds and transporting them to other areas. Such transplantations allowed Wild Turkeys to spread to all of the lower 48 states (plus Hawaii) and parts of southern Canada.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Liz Dichiara
Observation Date: 3/21/09
Observation Time: 5:45 p.m.
Observation Location: Cheryl Drive
Common Name: Wild Turkeys
Scientific Name: Meleagris gallopavo
Comments: Two beautiful males and five females walked through my wooded backyard today. The males were displaying to the females, who did not appear impressed.
More Information: All About Birds: Wild Turkey
Observer: Ilan Fisher
Observation Date: 5/18/18
Observation Time: 8:00 p.m.
Observation Location: Bayberry Drive
Common Name: Wild Turkey
Scientific Name: Meleagris gallopavo
Comments: The Wild Turkey’s popularity at the table led to a drastic decline in numbers, but they have recovered and now occur in every state except Alaska.
Poor guy. He is bonkers for the chick. I wonder if his broken tail feathers will thwart his plan.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/31/20
Observation Time: 3:00 p.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR)
Common Name: Wild Violet
Scientific Name: Viola odorata
Comments: V. odorata is native to Europe and Asia, but has also been introduced to North America and Australia. It is a hardy herbaceous flowering perennial.
More Information: Wikipedia
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/7/19
Observation Time: 8:00 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Wild Violet
Scientific Name: Viola odorata
Comments: V. odorata is native to Europe and Asia, but has also been introduced to North America and Australia. It is a hardy herbaceous flowering perennial.
More Information: Wikipedia
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 6/25/11
Observation Time: 3:20 p.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond Dam
Common Name: Willow Leaf Beetle
Scientific Name: Plagiodera versicolora
Comments: I got help identifying this tiny beetle at www.bugguide.net. I set up a free account and uploaded my photo. In a few days I received an email from one of their entomologists with the identification. Given that there are thousands of species of insects, bugguide.net is a valuable resource for identification.
More Information: BugWood
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/10/16
Observation Time: 9:50 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Center
Common Name: Wilson’s warbler
Scientific Name: Cardellina pusilla
Comments: This striking yellow warbler has an unmistakable black cap. It is more commonly found in western states, but it is occasionally sighted in Sharon.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/27/14
Observation Time: 6:50 p.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Wisteria
Scientific Name: Wisteria spp.
Comments: Wisteria is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family, Fabaceae (Leguminosae), that includes ten species of woody climbing vines that are native to China, Korea, and Japan and as an introduced species to the Eastern United States.
More Information: Wikipedia
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 6/23/19
Observation Time: 11:30 a.m.
Observation Location: Botanical Trail
Common Name: Witch’s Butter Fungus
Scientific Name: Tremella mesenterica
Comments: Although the species appears to be growing on wood, it is actually a parasite on the (usually hidden) mycelium of a crust fungus.
More Information: MushoomExpert.com
Observer: Kathy Farrell
Observation Date: 10/31/18
Observation Location: Mountain Street area
Common Name: Witchhazel
Scientific Name: Hamamelis virginiana
Comments: Small tree, very common in some areas off Mountain Street. Known for reducing skin inflammations such as acne. Used by Native Americans for dousing sticks to find water. Small yellow blossoms in October. Leaves turn yellow in autumn.
More Information: https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/hamamelis_virginiana.shtml
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/19/19
Observation Time: 3:25 p.m.
Observation Location: Billings Loop Botanical Trail
Common Name: American Witchhazel
Scientific Name: Hamamelis virginiana
Comments: This specimen was observed in a shady, wooded area near the Sharon Friends of Conservation botanical trail.
More Information: Carolina Nature
Observer: Josh Simons
Observation Date: 3/26/21
Observation Time: 4:30 p.m.
Observation Place: Moose Hill area
Common Name: Wolf spider
Scientific Name: Gladicosa gulosa
Comments: I would have been happier finding this wolf spider outside rather than in our mudroom. I captured it and deposited it outside — before reading that some wolf spiders can be aggressive towards humans, that their bite can take a few weeks to heal, and that their eyes glow green at night. Oh, and that they have fangs.
More Information: Wikipedia
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 6/9/19
Observation Time: 3:55 p.m.
Observation Place: trail from Brook Road to Devil’s Rock
Common Name: Wolf spider
Scientific Name: Gladicosa gulosa
Comments: This spider does not make a web.
More Information: Sweating the Small Stuff
Observer: Gaurav Shah
Observation Date: 6/26/26
Observation Time: 11:00 a.m.
Observation Location: Borderland State Park
Common Name: Wolf’s Milk Slime Mold
Scientific Name: Lycogala epidendrum
Comments: Slime molds are neither plants nor animals. They are members of the phylum Amoebozoa, and are related to amoeba. Slime molds are aggregates of single-celled organisms. Some kinds of slime molds can grow up to 9 feet long! Slime molds typically aggregate to form a plasmodium — a multinucleate mass of undifferentiated cells that may move in an ameboid-like fashion during the search for nutrients. Slime molds are examples of cellular communication and differentiation, and may provide insights into how multicellular organisms develop.
Lycogala epidendrum, commonly known as wolf’s milk or groening’s slime, is a cosmopolitan species of myxogastrid amoeba which is often mistaken for a fungus. The aethalia, or fruiting bodies, occur either scattered or in groups on damp rotten wood, especially on large logs, from June to November.
More Information: Wikipedia
On the intelligence of slime molds: https://wyss.harvard.edu/news/thinking-without-a-brain/
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/1/25
Observation Time: 8:30 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR)
Common Name: Wood Anemone
Scientific Name: Anemone quinquefolia
Comments: Also called wood windflower, wood anemone is one of the earliest blooming flowers in the rich, moist forests of New England. Look for showy white flowers poking above the dissected leaves, only 3 inches (7 cm) tall. These offer food to pollinators searching for nectar early in the season. Like other anemones, wood anemone doesn’t have true petals, but petal-like sepals. Wood anemone may have four to nine sepals, most commonly five.
Please do not dig up and transplant wildflowers. They are adapted to the spot where they are growing and typically do not survive transplantation.
More Information: Go Botany
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 4/27/23
Observation Time: 3:20 p.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) along dirt road under high tension wires
Common Name: Wood Anemone
Scientific Name: Anemone quinquefolia
Comments: Also called wood windflower, wood anemone is one of the earliest blooming flowers in the rich, moist forests of New England. Look for showy white flowers poking above the dissected leaves, only 3 inches (7 cm) tall. These offer food to pollinators searching for nectar early in the season. Like other anemones, wood anemone doesn’t have true petals, but petal-like sepals. Wood anemone may have four to nine sepals, most commonly five.
More Information: Go Botany
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 4/27/24
Observation Time: 4:30 p.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR)
Common Name: Wood Anemone
Scientific Name: Anemone quinquefolia
Comments: Also called wood windflower, wood anemone is one of the earliest blooming flowers in the rich, moist forests of New England. Look for showy white flowers poking above the dissected leaves, only 3 inches (7 cm) tall. These offer food to pollinators searching for nectar early in the season. Like other anemones, wood anemone doesn’t have true petals, but petal-like sepals. Wood anemone may have four to nine sepals, most commonly five.
Please do not dig up and transplant wildflowers. They are adapted to the spot where they are growing and typically do not survive transplantation.
More Information: Go Botany
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/6/20
Observation Time: 9:40 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR)
Common Name: Wood Anemone
Scientific Name: Anemone quinquefolia
Comments: Also called wood windflower, wood anemone is one of the earliest blooming flowers in the rich, moist forests of New England. Look for showy white flowers poking above the dissected leaves, only 3 inches (7 cm) tall. These offer food to pollinators searching for nectar early in the season. Like other anemones, wood anemone doesn’t have true petals, but petal-like sepals. Wood anemone may have four to nine sepals, most commonly five.
More Information: Go Botany
Wood anemones flowers usually have five sepals, but not always.
Observer: Josh Simons
Observation Date: 5/30/16
Observation Time: 11:50 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill area
Common Name: Wood Duck
Scientific Name: Aix sponsa
Comments: This guy went running through our yard this morning. We were initially concerned to see such a young bird on his own, but my bird app says that wood ducks leave the nest shortly after hatching.
‘sponsa’ means ‘bethrothed’, i.e. dressed for a wedding, from the bird’s attractive appearance” (Dictionary of American Bird Names, by Ernest Choate)
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 10/11/09
Observation Time: 4:30 p.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond
Common Name: Wood Duck
Scientific Name: Aix sponsa
Comments: Brilliantly marked wood ducks are among our most beautiful birds (which is saying a lot), but they are easily spooked, so it’s hard to get close enough for a good photo.
More Information: All About Birds.org
Observer: Josh Simons
Observation Date: 3/31/21
Observation Time: 11:00 AM
Observation Location: Moose Hill area
Common Name: Wood duck
Scientific Name: Aix sponsa
Comment: “sponsa” means “betrothed” — dressed for a wedding – a comment on the beauty of the male plumage.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Faith Berkland
Observation Date: 4/20/25
Observation Time: 6:45 PM
Observation Location: 302 Mansfield Street
Common Name: Wood Duck
Scientific Name: Aix sponsa
Comment: This is from my bedroom window and it’s hard to see but this is a male and female wood duck. There were 2 pairs earlier.
“Sponsa” means “betrothed” — dressed for a wedding – a comment on the beauty of the male plumage. Wood duck drakes are among the most spectacularly colored birds in Sharon.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Ilan Fisher
Observation Date: 5/1/09
Observation Location: Beside the school admin building on School St.
Common Name: Wood Duck
Scientific Name: Aix sponsa
Comments: Yes, these ducks actually roost in trees! They nest in cavities in large trees.
More Information: All About Birds.org
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 9/28/14
Observation Time: 4:50 p.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond
Common Name: Wood Duck
Scientific Name: Aix sponsa
Comments: Wood ducks are often seen in Gavins Pond in the fall. They are quite shy, so getting close enough to get a good photo of these spectacular ducks is a challenge. Note that the female has drab plummage compared to the gaudy drake.
More Information: All About Birds.org
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 9/30/11
Observation Time: 4:30 p.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond
Common Name: Wood Duck
Scientific Name: Aix sponsa
Comments: Wood ducks have spectacular plumage, but they are very shy and difficult to approach, so it is a real challenge to get a good photo.
This flock of wood ducks (there were at least a dozen, of which three are visible in the photo) showed up at Gavins Pond on September 30. Although I walk there daily, I have not seen them since then. Perhaps they were migrating through Sharon that day.
More Information: All About Birds.org
Observer: Jeff Rose
Observation Date: 3/10/18
Observation Time: 8:00 AM
Observation Location: 302 Mansfield Street, Sharon, MA
Common Name: Wood duck (drake)
Scientific Name: Aix sponsa
Comment: Male ducks are referred to as drakes.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 10/19/12
Observation Time: 2:05 p.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond
Common Name: Wood Duck
Scientific Name: Aix sponsa
Comments: These skittish ducks have spectacular plumage. Unlike most other ducks, they have sharp claws for perching in trees.
Wood Duck populations increased between 1966 and 2015 according to the North American Breeding Bird Survey. This is good news considering their dramatic declines in the late 19th century. Wood Ducks can be found throughout the year in the U.S., with some individuals breeding in Canada, and some wintering in Mexico.
More Information: All About Birds.org
Observer: Richard Kramer
Observation Date: 4/13/19
Observation Time: midnight
Observation Location: Moose Hill Street near TTOR’s Moose Hill Farm
Common Name: Wood Frog
Scientific Name: Rana sylvatica
Comments: As their name implies, wood frogs live in the woods and reproduce in vernal pools. Listen to the recording of the quacking sound it makes at the Wikipedia link below so you can recognize it when they thaw out after the snow melts in early spring and begin their courtship.
The photo below was taken on “big night” – the first rainy night after the snow has melted in spring when woodland amphibians migrate from uplands down to nearby wetlands to spawn.
More Information: Wikipedia
