Sightings – Animals
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 4/3/14
Observation Time: 2:45 p.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond area
Common Name: Blister Beetle
Scientific Name: Tricrania sanguinipennis
Comments: Blister beetles receive their common name from the ability of their hemolymph to produce blistering on contact with human skin. Hemolymph is often exuded copiously by reflexive bleeding when an adult beetle is pressed or rubbed. Blisters commonly occur on the neck and arms, as the result of exposure to adult beetles attracted to outdoor lights at night.
The blistering agent is cantharidin, an odorless terpene (exo-1,2-cis-dimethyl-3,6-ep- oxyhexahydro-phthalic anhydride) occurring elsewhere only in beetles of the family Oedemeridae (Arnett 2008). Cantharidin or cantharides (dried, pulverized bodies of adult beetles) was once employed extensively in human and veterinary medicine, primarily as a vesicant and irritant and is still used in the U.S. as the active ingredient in a proprietary wart remover (Epstein and Epstein 1960, Kartal Durmazlar et al, 2009). Taken internally or absorbed through the skin, cantharidin is highly toxic to mammals. There is an extensive literature dealing with its reputed aphrodisiacal properties and numerous reports of human poisonings, both accidental and deliberate. Source: http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/urban/medical/blister_beetles.htm
More Information: PBase
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 7/19/10
Observation Time: 5:20 a.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond soccer field parking lot
Common Name: Blue Dasher dragonfly
Scientific Name: Pachidiplax longipennis
Comments: Female is brown with red eyes and yellow markings. Male is blue with green eyes.
More Information: Wikipedia
Female:
Male:
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 7/15/13
Observation Time: 4:15 p.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond area
Common Name: Blue Dasher dragonfly (female)
Scientific Name: Pachidiplax longipennis
Comments: The male has a blue abdomen, hence the name.
More Information: Wikipedia
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 7/8/13
Observation Time: 5:10 p.m.
Observation Location: near Gavins Pond Dam
Common Name: Blue Dasher dragonfly (male)
Scientific Name: Pachidiplax longipennis
More Information: http://www.cirrusimage.com/dragonfly_blue_dasher.htm
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 11/19/12
Observation Time: 10:25 a.m.
Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Road
Common Name: Blue Jay
Scientific Name: Cyanocitta cristata
Comments: Blue Jays are common in Sharon. They eat insects and nuts. They will also eat the eggs and nestlings of other birds if they get the chance. They can live up to 17 years.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/11/20
Observation Time: 7:30 a.m.
Observation Location: woods beyond Gavins Pond dam
Common Name: Blue Jay
Scientific Name: Cyanocitta cristata
Comments: Blue Jays are common in Sharon. They eat insects, nuts and seeds. They will also eat the eggs and nestlings of other birds if they get the chance. They can live up to 17 years. Their vocalizations are distinctive and varied.
Blue Jays have an astonishing array of vocalizations. If you learn to recognize them, you won’t be fooled into thinking you are hearing an exotic bird in the woods. Check it out at: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Blue_Jay/sounds
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/3/20
Observation Time: 10:35 a.m.
Observation Location: woods near Gavins Pond
Common Name: Blue Jay
Scientific Name: Cyanocitta cristata
Comments: Blue Jays are common in Sharon. They eat insects, nuts and seeds. They will also eat the eggs and nestlings of other birds if they get the chance. They can live up to 17 years. Their vocalizations are distinctive and varied.
Blue Jays have an astonishing array of vocalizations. If you learn to recognize them, you won’t be fooled into thinking you are hearing an exotic bird in the woods. Check it out at: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Blue_Jay/sounds
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/4/25
Observation Time: 10:00 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Blue Jay
Scientific Name: Cyanocitta cristata
Comments: Blue Jays are common in Sharon. They eat insects, nuts and seeds. They will also eat the eggs and nestlings of other birds if they get the chance. They can live up to 17 years.
Blue Jays have an astonishing array of vocalizations. Check it out at: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Blue_Jay/sounds
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/5/18
Observation Time: 7:30 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Blue Jay
Scientific Name: Cyanocitta cristata
Comments: Blue Jays are common in Sharon. They eat insects, nuts and seeds. They will also eat the eggs and nestlings of other birds if they get the chance. They can live up to 17 years. Their vocalizations are distinctive and varied.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 4/26/23
Observation Time: 6:00 am
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Blue-gray gnatcatcher
Scientific Name: Polioptila caerulea
Comments: The blue-gray gnatcatcher is the northernmost-occurring species of gnatcatcher, and the only truly migratory one. Most members of its genus are resident in Central and South America.
The nesting range of blue-gray gnatcatchers has been shifting northward since the early twentieth century. Over the last quarter of that century, the shift was about 200 miles, in concert with increasing average temperatures.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Contact Information: lauenstein@comcast.net (781) 784-2986
Observation Date: 5/1/18 at 8:15 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Blue-gray gnatcatcher
Scientific Name: Polioptila caerulea
Comments: A tiny, long-tailed bird of broadleaf forests and scrublands, the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher makes itself known by its soft but insistent calls and its constant motion. It hops and sidles in dense outer foliage, foraging for insects and spiders. As it moves, this steely blue-gray bird conspicuously flicks its white-edged tail from side to side, scaring up insects and chasing after them. Pairs use spiderweb and lichens to build small, neat nests, which sit on top of branches and look like tree knots.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/11/16
Observation Time: 7:45 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Center
Common Name: Blue-gray gnatcatcher
Scientific Name: Polioptila caerulea
Comments: The blue-gray gnatcatcher is a tiny, long-tailed bird of broadleaf forests and scrublands. It makes itself known by its soft but insistent calls and its constant motion. It hops and sidles in dense outer foliage, foraging for insects and spiders. As it moves, it conspicuously flicks its white-edged tail from side to side, scaring up insects and chasing after them. Pairs use spiderweb and lichens to build small, neat nests, which sit on top of branches and look like tree knots.
Note the tent caterpillars on the branch beside the bird.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/3/24
Observation Time: 10:15 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Blue-gray gnatcatcher
Scientific Name: Polioptila caerulea
Comments: Blue-gray Gnatcatchers are tiny – smaller than a chickadee.
They are the northernmost-occurring species of gnatcatcher genus, and the only truly migratory one. Most other gnatcatcher species are resident in Central and South America.
The nesting range of blue-gray gnatcatchers has been shifting northward since the early twentieth century. Over the last quarter of that century, the shift was about 200 miles, in concert with increasing average temperatures.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/5/23
Observation Time: 12:35 pm
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Blue-gray gnatcatcher
Scientific Name: Polioptila caerulea
Comments: The blue-gray gnatcatcher is the northernmost-occurring species of gnatcatcher, and the only truly migratory one. Most members of its genus are resident in Central and South America.
The nesting range of blue-gray gnatcatchers has been shifting northward since the early twentieth century. Over the last quarter of that century, the shift was about 200 miles, in concert with increasing average temperatures.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/8/19
Observation Time: 9:15 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Blue-gray gnatcatcher
Scientific Name: Polioptila caerulea
Comments: The blue-gray gnatcatcher is the northernmost-occurring species of gnatcatcher, and the only truly migratory one. Most members of its genus are resident in Central and South America.
The nesting range of blue-gray gnatcatchers has been shifting northward since the early twentieth century. Over the last quarter of that century, the shift was about 200 miles, in concert with increasing average temperatures.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/8/25
Observation Time: 11:00 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Scientific Name: Polioptila caerulea
Comments: Blue-gray gnatcatchers are tiny – smaller than a chickadee.
They are the northernmost-occurring species of gnatcatcher genus, and the only truly migratory one. Most other gnatcatcher species are resident in Central and South America.
The nesting range of blue-gray gnatcatchers has been shifting northward since the early twentieth century. Over the last quarter of that century, the shift was about 200 miles, in concert with increasing average temperatures.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/1/24
Observation Time: 10:45 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Blue-headed Vireo
Scientific Name: Vireo solitarius
Comments: Blue-headed vireos arrive in Sharon in late April along with the first wave of woodland warblers.
Note the white “spectacles” around its eyes.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/7/19
Observation Time: 8:28 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Blue-headed Vireo
Scientific Name: Vireo solitarius
Comments: Sorry about the poor picture quality. My challenge to you is to get out there and take a better one! Learn to recognize the song so you will know when you are near one. The best time to find one is in May as they migrate through Sharon on their way north.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/7/20
Observation Time: 9:30 a.m.
Observation Location: Conservation land at Lakeview & Morse Streets
Common Name: Blue-headed Vireo
Scientific Name: Vireo solitarius
Comments: The woods were pretty quiet this morning. After walking a long way along a trail, I heard this blue-headed vireo singing high in the treetops. These photos were taken with my new Sony RX-10 iv zoom camera.
Note the bold white “spectacles” around its eyes.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/8/23
Observation Time: 7:00 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Blue-headed Vireo
Scientific Name: Vireo solitarius
Comments: I took this photo of a blue-headed vireo thinking it was a warbler of some kind. When I got home and uploaded my photos to my computer, I discovered it was a vireo, not a warbler.
Note the white “spectacles” around its eyes.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/11/25
Observation Time: 11:15 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Blue-winged warbler
Scientific Name: Vermivora cyanoptera
Comments: The blue-winged warbler’s song sounds like, “bee-buzz.” Note its distinctive black eye line.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/16/20
Observation Time: 7:10 a.m.
Observation Location: near the soccer field parking lot at Gavins Pond
Common Name: Blue-winged warbler
Scientific Name: Vermivora cyanoptera
Comments: The blue-winged warbler’s song sounds like, “bee-buzz.” Note the distinctive mask-like black line through its eyes.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/17/25
Observation Time: 8:15 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Blue-winged warbler
Scientific Name: Vermivora cyanoptera
Comments: The blue-winged warbler’s song sounds like, “bee-buzz.” Note its distinctive black eye line.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/19/14
Observation Time: 11:30 a.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond Road
Common Name: Blue-winged Warbler
Scientific Name: Vermivora cyanoptera
Comments: The blue-winged warbler’s song sounds like, “bee-buzz.”
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/6/24
Observation Time: 11:30 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Blue-winged warbler
Scientific Name: Vermivora cyanoptera
Comments: I saw this blue-winged warbler catch a huge caterpillar. Check out the last photo below.
The blue-winged warbler’s song sounds like, “bee-buzz.” Note its distinctive mask-like black eye line.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Jason Platt
Observation Date: 5/8/18
Observation Time: 8:45 a.m.
Observation Location: under power lines at Moose Hill
Common Name: Blue-winged Warbler
Scientific Name: Vermivora cyanoptera
Comments: The blue-winged warbler’s song sounds like, “bee-buzz.”
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/8/23
Observation Time: 10:30 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Blue-winged warbler
Scientific Name: Vermivora cyanoptera
Comments: The blue-winged warbler’s song sounds like, “bee-buzz.” Note the distinctive mask-like black line through its eyes.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 6/4/10
Observation Time: 11:45 a.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond
Common Name: Bluegill Sunfish
Scientific Name: Lepomis macrochirus
Comments: These sunfish were spawning on a sandy area near the shore.
More Information: Southshore Fishing
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 6/4/10
Observation Time: 11:30 a.m.
Observation Location: Borderland State Park
Common Name: Bluegill Sunfish
Scientific Name: Lepomis macrochirus
Comments: This bluegill sunfish was guarding its eggs.
More Information: Wikipedia
Observer: Marla Lonergan
Observation Date: 6/11/14
Observation Time: 6:00 p.m.
Observation Location: 5 Tisdale Road
Common Name: Bobcat
Scientific Name: Lynx rufus
Comments: Second bobcat sighting in Sharon in less than a week. See the NECN
report.
More Information: Wikipedia
Observer: Suzy Levenson
Observation Date: 6/7/14
Observation Time: 8:15 a.m.
Observation Location: 155 Billings St
Common Name: Bobcat
Scientific Name: Lynx rufus
Comments: The bobcat was calmly sitting in my backyard looking at my housecat who was sitting in a window. There were three snapping turtles in the backyard at the same time. Then the bobcat quietly walked away into the woods.
More Information: Wikipedia
Observer: Richard Kramer
Observation Date: 2/26/22
Observation Time: 3:00 pm
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon WIldlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Bobcat
Scientific Name: Lynx rufus
Comments: Here’s a link to compare cougar, coyote and bobcat tracks: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79135_79218_79619_84911-146656–,00.html
More Information: Wikipedia
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/15/25
Observation Time: 3:15 p.m.
Observation Location: The TrustMoose Hill Farm (formerly the Kendall Estate)
Common Name: Bobolink
Scientific Name: Dolichonyx oryzivorus
Comments: The big pasture at the Trustees of Reservations’ Moose Hill Farm is ideal breeding habitat for bobolinks. Meadow habitat is not nearly as prevalent in Massachusetts since industry replaced agriculture, and forests grew back in former pasture lands.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/21/20
Observation Time: 9:30 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (formerly the Kendall Estate)
Common Name: Bobolink
Scientific Name: Dolichonyx oryzivorus
Comments: The big pasture at the Trustees of Reservations’ Moose Hill Farm is ideal breeding habitat for bobolinks. Meadow habitat is not nearly as prevalent in Massachusetts since industry replaced agriculture, and forests grew back in former pasture lands.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/26/19
Observation Time: 2:00 p.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (formerly the Kendall Estate)
Common Name: Bobolink
Scientific Name: Dolichonyx oryzivorus
Comments: The big pasture at Moose Hill Farm is ideal breeding habitat for bobolinks. Meadow habitat is not nearly as prevalent in Massachusetts since industry replaced agriculture, and forests grew back in former farmlands.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Daniel O’Brien
Observation Date: 5/20/23
Observation Time: 9:00 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Brewster’s Warbler (hybrid)
Scientific Name: Vermivora chrysoptera x cyanoptera
Comments: Brewster’s warblers are actually a hybrid between golden-winged warblers and blue-winged warblers. These two species are 99.7% alike genetically.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 4/21/24
Observation Time: 1:30
Observation Location: telephone pole by Beach Street near Sharon High School
Common Name: Broad-winged hawk
Scientific Name: Buteo platypterus
Comments: A small, stocky raptor with black-and-white bands on the tail, the Broad-winged Hawk is a bird of the forest interior and can be hard to see during the nesting season. Its call is a piercing, two-parted whistle.
One of the greatest spectacles of migration is a swirling flock of Broad-winged Hawks on their way to South America. Also known as “kettles,” flocks can contain thousands of circling birds that evoke a vast cauldron being stirred with an invisible spoon.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Deborah Radovsky
Observation Date: 4/28/22
Observation Time: early evening
Observation Location: Moose Hill, near nature center
Common Name: Broad-winged hawk
Scientific Name: Buteo platypterus
Comments: A small, stocky raptor with black-and-white bands on the tail, the Broad-winged Hawk is a bird of the forest interior and can be hard to see during the nesting season. Its call is a piercing, two-parted whistle.
One of the greatest spectacles of migration is a swirling flock of Broad-winged Hawks on their way to South America. Also known as “kettles,” flocks can contain thousands of circling birds that evoke a vast cauldron being stirred with an invisible spoon.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/4/24
Observation Time: 6:40 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Broad-winged hawk
Scientific Name: Buteo platypterus
Comments: A small, stocky raptor with black-and-white bands on the tail, the Broad-winged Hawk is a bird of the forest interior and can be hard to see during the nesting season. Its call is a piercing, two-parted whistle.
One of the greatest spectacles of migration is a swirling flock of Broad-winged Hawks on their way to South America. Also known as “kettles,” flocks can contain thousands of circling birds that evoke a vast cauldron being stirred with an invisible spoon.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Steven D’Addieco
Observation Date: 4/19/20
Observation Time: 7:15 p.m.
Observation Location: undisclosed location in Sharon
Common Name: Brook trout
Scientific Name: Salveninus Fontinalus
Comments: Pollution and dams have greatly reduced native brook trout populations in eastern Massachusetts. Brook trout are vulnerable to global warming because they cannot survive in warm water.
Please practice catch and release to help conserve these beautiful fish.
More Information: Massachusetts Wildlife
Observer: Deb Radovsky
Observation Date: 4/23/18
Observation Time: 6:00 p.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary (Billings Loop)
Common Name: Brown Creeper
Scientific Name: Certhia americana
Comments: Brown Creepers are tiny woodland birds with an affinity for the biggest trees they can find. Look for these little, long-tailed scraps of brown and white spiraling up stout trunks and main branches, sometimes passing downward-facing nuthatches along the way. They probe into crevices and pick at loose bark with their slender, downcurved bills, and build their hammock-shaped nests behind peeling flakes of bark. Their piercing calls can make it much easier to find this hard-to-see but common species.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 4/26/24
Observation Time: 9:30 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Brown Creeper
Scientific Name: Certhia americana
Comments: Brown creepers are tiny woodland birds with an affinity for the biggest trees they can find. Look for these little, long-tailed scraps of brown and white spiraling up stout trunks and main branches. Their curved claws allow them to creep up the trunks of trees but not down, so when they reach the top they fly back down and start creeping up again.
They probe into crevices and pick at loose bark with their slender, downcurved bills, and build their hammock-shaped nests behind peeling flakes of bark. Their high-pitched squeaky calls help find this hard-to-see but common species.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 4/28/23
Observation Time: 9:30 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Brown Creeper
Scientific Name: Certhia americana
Comments: Brown creepers are tiny woodland birds with an affinity for the biggest trees they can find. Look for these little, long-tailed scraps of brown and white spiraling up stout trunks and main branches. Their curved claws allow them to creep up the trunks of trees but not down, so when they reach the top they fly back down.
They probe into crevices and pick at loose bark with their slender, downcurved bills, and build their hammock-shaped nests behind peeling flakes of bark. Their high-pitched squeaky calls help find this hard-to-see but common species.
More Information: All About Birds
Brown creepers are well-camouflaged!
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/1/24
Observation Time: 1:00 p.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Brown Creeper
Scientific Name: Certhia americana
Comments: Brown creepers are tiny woodland birds with an affinity for the biggest trees they can find. Look for these little, long-tailed scraps of brown and white spiraling up stout trunks and main branches. Their curved claws allow them to creep up the trunks of trees but not down, so when they reach the top they fly back down and start creeping up again.
They probe into crevices and pick at loose bark with their slender, downcurved bills, and build their hammock-shaped nests behind peeling flakes of bark. Their high-pitched squeaky calls help find this hard-to-see but common species.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Barry Dulong
Observation Date: 6/9/24
Observation Time: 5:30 p.m.
Observation Location: Forest Trail, Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Brown Creeper
Scientific Name: Certhia americana
Comments: I was approximately 1/3rd down trail when I heard call. I was not familiar with call so I opened Merlin. It identified the call as a Brown Creeper. I looked for 10 minutes until I saw it. Very small. Very good camouflage. There were 2 but I only saw one of them. The other one was calling on the other side of the trail. Never saw that one. Watched subject hopping up tree eating bug from bark for about 5 minutes. Then it flew off.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/12/12
Observation Time: 5:00 p.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond area
Common Name: Brown Elfin Butterfly
Scientific Name: Callophrys augustinus
Comments: This brown elfin was found in the same meadow of wild indigo as a rare frosted elfin butterfly.
More Information: Butterflies and Moths
Observer: Faith Berkland
Observation Date: 6/20/14
Observation Time: 10:30 a.m.
Observation Location: On one of the reflectors I have around my driveway.
Common Name: Brown Mantidfly
Scientific Name: Clineriella Brunnea
Comments: I first thought it was a praying mantis but none of the pictures showed one that small, or with the wasp-like abdomen. I decided to see if it was a type of wasp and voila! See this photo.
More Information: Wikipedia
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 11/11/21
Observation Time: 2:10 p.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond Rd. (my back yard)
Common Name: Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (adult)
Scientific Name: Halyomorpha Halys
Comments: Stink bugs molt several times before reaching maturity. Each phase is referred to as an instar.
More Information: Featured Creatures
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/30/23
Observation Time: 10:15 a.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond Rd. (appeared on the desk in my living room!)
Common Name: Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (adult)
Scientific Name: Halyomorpha Halys
Comments: Stink bugs molt several times before reaching maturity. Each phase is referred to as an instar.
More Information: Featured Creatures
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 8/31/18
Observation Time: 4:10 p.m.
Observation Location: Borderland State Park
Common Name: Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (4th instar)
Scientific Name: Halyomorpha Halys
Comments: Stink bugs molt several times before reaching maturity. Each phase is referred to as an instar.
More Information: Wikipedia
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/2/11
Observation Time: 4:20 p.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond Road near soccer field parking lot
Common Name: Brown Thrasher
Scientific Name: Toxostoma rufum
Comments: Brown thrashers are one of the three mimics. The other two are catbirds and mockingbirds. Brown thrashers repeat each vocalization twice. Mockingbirds repeat three or four times. Catbirds only make each vocalization once.
More Information: All About Birds.org
Observer: Steven D’Addieco
Observation Date: 6/6/15
Observation Time: N/A
Observation Location: Massapoag Brook
Common Name: Brown trout
Scientific Name: Salmo trutta
Comments: I caught and released this small brown trout in the late spring of 2015. Please practice catch and release to help conserve these beautiful fish.
More Information: Wikipedia
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 4/28/23
Observation Time: 8:30 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Brown-headed Cowbird
Scientific Name: Molothrus ater
Comments: Brown-headed Cowbirds parasitize other bird species. Female Cowbirds forgo building nests and instead lay their eggs in the nests of other birds, abandoning their young to foster parents, usually at the expense of at least some of the host’s own chicks. Once confined to the open grasslands of middle North America, cowbirds have surged in numbers and range as humans built towns and cleared woods.
More Information: All About Birds.org
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 4/7/14
Observation Time: 12:10 p.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond area near soccer fields
Common Name: Brown-headed Cowbird
Scientific Name: Molothrus ater
Comments: These Brown-headed Cowbirds were mating. Cowbirds parasitize other bird species. Female Cowbirds forgo building nests and instead lay their eggs in the nests of other birds, abandoning their young to foster parents, usually at the expense of at least some of the host’s own chicks. Once confined to the open grasslands of middle North America, cowbirds have surged in numbers and range as humans built towns and cleared woods.
More Information: All About Birds.org
Observer: Josh Simons
Observation Date: 5/10/20
Observation Time: 1:00 p.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill area
Common Name: Brown-headed Cowbird
Scientific Name: Molothrus ater
Comments: Cowbirds parasitize other bird species. Female Cowbirds forgo building nests and instead lay their eggs in the nests of other birds, abandoning their young to foster parents, usually at the expense of at least some of the host’s own chicks. Once confined to the open grasslands of middle North America, cowbirds have surged in numbers and range as humans built towns and cleared woods.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5-16-23
Observation Time: 7:30 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Brown-headed Cowbird (fledgling)
Scientific Name: Molothrus ater
Comments: Brown-headed Cowbirds parasitize other bird species. Female Cowbirds forgo building nests and instead lay their eggs in the nests of other birds, abandoning their young to foster parents, usually at the expense of at least some of the host’s own chicks. This begging fledgling had left the nest, but was still being fed by its surrogate parent – a phoebe.
More Information: All About Birds.org
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/7/23
Observation Time: 6:30 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Brown-headed Cowbird (male)
Scientific Name: Molothrus ater
Comments: Brown-headed Cowbirds parasitize other bird species. Female Cowbirds forgo building nests and instead lay their eggs in the nests of other birds, abandoning their young to foster parents, usually at the expense of at least some of the host’s own chicks. Once confined to the open grasslands of middle North America, cowbirds have surged in numbers and range as humans built towns and cleared woods.
More Information: All About Birds.org
Observer: Faith Berkland
Observation Date: 9/22/15
Observation Time: 3:00 p.m.
Observation Location: Mansfield Street
Common Name: Brown-hooded Owlet Moth caterpillar
Scientific Name: Cucullia convexipennis
Comments: The moth flies from May to September depending on the location. The caterpillars feed on Aster, Solidago and Callistephus chinensis.
More Information: Wikipedia
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 7/9/11
Observation Time: 3:00 p.m.
Observation Location: Field near Gavins Pond
Common Name: Buckeye Butterfly
Scientific Name: Junonia coenia
Comments: This bedraggled specimen is showing a lot of wear and tear on its wings.
More Information: Wikipedia
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 11/19/13
Observation Time: 2:35 p.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond
Common Name: Bufflehead
Scientific Name: Bucephala albeola
Comments: Buffleheads are small, diving ducks. They nest in old woodpecker holes, particularly those made by Northern Flickers, in the forests of northern North America.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Ilan Fisher
Observation Date: 3/8/20
Observation Time: 3:00 p.m.
Observation Location: Lake Massapoag (near Harding St. & Beach St.)
Common Name: Bufflehead
Scientific Name: Bucephala albeola
Comments: Shot a bit of video to go with previous days’ sightings at same location. See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdOIPxBSs1g
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 8/27/10
Observation Time: 3:45 p.m.
Observation Location: Beaver Brook near tennis courts
Common Name: Bullhead Catfish
Scientific Name: Ameiurus melas
Comments: I noticed a number of small black fish swimming near the dam, so I got a dipnet and caught this one (don’t worry, I released it alive!). It turned out to be a bullhead catfish. When the Department of Fish and Game sampled the fish in Beaver Brook on August 25, 2008 with electro-shocking equipment (which stuns fish but does not kill them) they found redfin pickerel, sunfish, bass and American eels, but they did not find bullhead catfish.
More Information: Wikipedia
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 6/29/10
Observation Time: 7:50 a.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond Road area
Common Name: Bumble Bee
Scientific Name: Bombus sp.
Comments: Bumblebees are important pollinators. There are many species of bumblebees.
More information: Bumblebees of the Eastern United States
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 3/17/11
Observation Time: 3:10 p.m.
Observation Location: vernal pool near Bay Road
Common Name: Caddisfly Larva
Scientific Name: Order Trichoptera
Comments: Caddisfly larva are aquatic. They build a protective case of silk around themselves, incorporating debris for camouflage and protection. Their presence is indicative of good water quality. Adult caddis flies emerge en masse for just a few weeks. After emergence, they do not eat, but they mate and the females lay eggs. Caddisflies are a preferred food of trout.
More Information: Watersheds.org
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 8/30/10
Observation Time: 8:30 a.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond Road (bridge near soccer fields)
Common Name: Canada Darner dragonfly
Scientific Name: Aeshna canadensis
Comments: Canada darner dragonflies are very common in Massachusetts in late summer near sluggish marsh-bordered streams. They typically hang vertically at rest.
More Information: US Army Corps of Engineers: North Hartland Lake
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/4/11
Observation Time: 12:45 p.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond
Common Name: Canada Goose
Scientific Name: Branta canadensis
Comments: Canada geese are quite common in Sharon, and can even become a nuisance, but these goslings sure are cute. If you are in the mood for a heartwarming movie, see “Fly Away Home” about a girl who adopts some orphaned goslings.
More Information: Mass Wildlife
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/17/14
Observation Time: 12:55 p.m.
Observation Location: Beaver Brook near tennis courts
Common Name: Canada Mayflower
Scientific Name: Maianthemum canadense
Comments: This common plant carpets the forest floor in many parts of Sharon.
More Information: Wikipedia
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/14/23
Observation Time: 6:45 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Canada Warbler
Scientific Name: Cardellina canadensis
Comments: Canada Warblers migrate through Sharon in mid-May. They have a distinctive black collar and a white eye-ring.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/18/23
Observation Time: 8:40 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Canada Warbler
Scientific Name: Cardellina canadensis
Comments: Canada Warblers migrate through Sharon in mid-May. They have a distinctive black collar and a white eye-ring.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/21/18
Observation Time: 7:50 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Canada Warbler
Scientific Name: Cardellina canadensis
Comments: Canada Warblers migrate through Sharon in mid-May. They have a distinctive black collar and a white eye-ring.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 3/12/09
Observation Time: 7:45 a.m.
Observation Location: Soccer field by Gavins Pond Road
Common Name: Canada x Greylag hybrid goose
Scientific Name:
Comments: This morning I saw a strange goose among the Canada geese at the Gavins Pond soccer field nearest to Gavins Pond Road. It had a distinct white line all the way around the base of its dark beak, light gray cheeks with a dark head and neck, and dull orange legs (the Canada geese had black legs). The transition from the gray cheeks to the dark head was not as sharp as that of the Canada geese, and the gray cheek patch was quite a bit larger than the white “chin strap” of the Canada geese. The body and rump were very similar to the Canada geese. It looked like the some of the Canada x Greylag hybrids shown here except that it had a dark beak, and the white line around the base of the beak was more distinct.
I watched it fly in alone and land on the field among the Canada geese, which is why I noticed it in the first place.
This goose looked exactly like one photographed by Will Sweet earlier this winter. See:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22560927@N04/3320242349/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22560927@N04/3320241847/
More Information: Flickr: Hybrid Birds
Observer: Deb Radovsky
Observation Date: 2/27/18
Observation Time: afternoon
Observation Location: Lake Massapoag
Common Name: Canvasback duck
Scientific Name: Aythya valisineria
Comments: The species name of the Canvasback, Aythya valisineria, comes from Vallisneria americana, or wild celery, whose winter buds and rhizomes are its preferred food during the nonbreeding period.
The oldest recorded Canvasback was a male and at least 22 years, 7 months old when he was shot in California in 1991. He had been banded in the same state in 1969.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 9/12/09
Observation Time: 11:15 a.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond Dam
Common Name: Carolina Locust
Scientific Name: Dissosteira carolina
Comments: Diagnostic pronotum ridge is clearly visible in the photo.
More Information: e-Nature.com
Observer: Josh Simons
Observation Date: 1/1/09
Observation Time: 2:00 p.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Parkway
Common Name: Carolina Wren
Scientific Name: Thryothorus ludovicianus
Comments: This and the titmouse and junco photos were all taken with a Canon 50D and a Canon 500mm f4 lens from the comfort of my kitchen on Moose Hill Parkway. We have feeders that attract lots of birds who land on a nearby lilac bush while waiting for their turn at the feeders.
In terms of processing, I use very little. The images are cropped and very small
adjustments are made to exposure and contrast with sometimes a little extra sharpening applied.
That and the nice, slanting winter sunlight are all there is to it.
More Information: Cornell Lab of Ornithology “All About Birds”
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 1/17/11
Observation Time: 3:40 p.m.
Observation Location: 284 Mountain Street
Common Name: Carolina Wren
Scientific Name: Thryothorus ludovicianus
Comments: Following the SFOC walk on Martin Luther King Day (January 17), while sipping hot cider at Vera Cross’s house at about 3:40 p.m., a pair of Carolina wrens appeared out the window. It was only 20 degrees outside. The wrens were flitting in and out of an old, unused flue, presumably trying to stay warm. When they perched on a nearby branch, they fluffed their feathers for better insulation.
The Carolina Wren is sensitive to cold weather, with the northern populations decreasing markedly after severe winters. Gradually warming winter temperatures over the last century may be responsible for the northward range expansion seen in the late-1900s and early 2000’s.
A pair bond may form between a male and a female at any time of the year, and the pair will stay together for life. Members of a pair stay together on their territory year round, and forage and move around the territory together.
More Information: All About Birds
