Sightings – Birds

Observer: Deb Radovsky

Observation Date: 5/18/18

Observation Time: 6:20 p.m.

Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary (boardwalk)

Common Name: Black-and-white Warbler

Scientific Name: Mniotilta varia

Comments: Unlike many other warbler species that migrate through Sharon on their way north, black-and-white warblers stick around all summer. They are typically seen scurrying up and down tree trunks. Their high-pitched song sounds like a squeaky wheel.

More Information: All About Birds

Black-and-white warbler – 5/3/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein

Observation Date: 5/3/20

Observation Time: 10:05 a.m.

Observation Location: woods near Gavins Pond

Common Name: Black-and-white warbler

Scientific Name: Mniotilta varia

Comments: Black and white warblers make a high-pitched squeaking sound like a turning wheel that needs to be oiled. They are most often found scurrying up and down tree trunks and branches looking under the bark for insect larvae.

More Information: All About Birds

Black-and-white Warbler – 5/5/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein

Observation Date: 5/5/20

Observation Time: 7:05 a.m.

Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary

Common Name: Black-and-white warbler

Scientific Name: Mniotilta varia

More Information: All About Birds

Black-billed Cuckoo – 5/14/15

Observer: Paul Lauenstein

Observation Date: 5/14/15

Observation Time: 7:00 a.m.

Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary

Common Name: Black-billed Cuckoo

Scientific Name: Coccyzus erythropthalmus

Comments: We heard this cuckoo before someone in our group spotted it. They tend to sit quietly on a branch, so the absence of movement makes them hard to find. Black-billed cuckoos have distinctive red eyes.

More Information: All About Birds

Black-billed Cuckoo – 5/27/14

Observer: Paul Lauenstein

Observation Date: 5/27/14

Observation Time: 8:05 a.m.

Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary

Common Name: Black-billed Cuckoo

Scientific Name: Coccyzus erythropthalmus

Comments: We heard this black-billed cuckoo before we finally spotted it. Even though cuckoos are relatively large birds, they typically don’t move around much, so they are hard to find unless you know what their call sounds like.

More Information: All About Birds

Black-billed Cuckoo – 6/14/15

Observer: Paul Lauenstein

Observation Date: 6/14/15

Observation Time: 6:05 p.m.

Observation Location: in the trees between the back soccer field and Gavins Pond

Common Name: Black-billed Cuckoo

Scientific Name: Coccyzus erythropthalmus

More Information: All About Birds

Black-capped Chickadee – 2/15/09

Observer: Will Sweet

Observation Date: 2/15/09

Observation Time: 11:00 a.m.

Observation Location: Backyard

Common Name: Black-capped Chickadee

Scientific Name: Poecile atricapillus

Comments: The chickadees were knocking the Pine Siskins off of the thistle feeders.

More Information: Whatbird.com

Black-capped Chickadee – 2/25/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein

Observation Date: 2/25/20

Observation Time: 12:30 p.m.

Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary

Common Name: Black-capped Chickadee

Scientific Name: Poecile atricapillus

Comments: Chickadees are one of Sharon’s most common birds. They often travel in groups that sometimes include tufted titmouse. With patience, chickadees can be trained to eat sunflower seeds out of your hand!

More Information: All About Birds

Black-capped Chickadee – 4/23/24

Observer: Paul Lauenstein

Observation Date: 4/23/24

Observation Time: 9:00 a.m.

Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary

Common Name: Black-capped Chickadee

Scientific Name: Poecile atricapillus

Comments: Chickadees are one of Sharon’s most common birds. This pair was making a nest in a hollow tree.

More Information: All About Birds

Chickadees often travel in groups that sometimes include tufted titmice. With patience, chickadees can be trained to eat sunflower seeds out of your hand!

Black-capped Chickadee – 4/26/13

Observer: Paul Lauenstein

Observation Date: 4/26/13

Observation Time: 4:30 p.m.

Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary

Common Name: Black-capped Chickadee

Scientific Name: Poecile atricapillus

More Information: All About Birds

Black-capped Chickadee – 5/9/25

Observer: Paul Lauenstein

Observation Date: 5/9/25

Observation Time: 9:05 a.m.

Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary

Common Name: Black-capped Chickadee

Scientific Name: Poecile atricapillus

Comments: Chickadees are one of Sharon’s most common birds. They often travel in groups that sometimes include tufted titmice. The one in the photograph was almost close enough to touch. With patience, chickadees can be trained to eat sunflower or thistle seeds out of your hand!

More Information: All About Birds

Black-capped Chickadee – 6/4/10

Observer: Will Sweet

Observation Date: 6/4/10

Observation Time: 4:30 p.m.

Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Road

Common Name: Black-capped Chickadee

Scientific Name: Poecile atricapillus

Comments: This chickadee family was crowded into a nesting box.

More Information: Whatbird.com

Black-throated Blue Warbler – 5/11/19

Observer: Paul Lauenstein

Observation Date: 5/11/19

Observation Time: 9:45 a.m.

Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary

Common Name: Black-throated Blue Warbler

Scientific Name: Setophaga caerulescens

Comments: Black-throated blue warblers pass through Sharon in early May on their northward migration. Learn to recognize their buzzy “zree–zree–zreeeee” song to improve your chances of seeing one. Check it out at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPKuQB1bEqs.
You can monitor the bird migration in spring by keeping an eye on the live radar map at: http://birdcast.info/live-migration-maps/

More Information: All About Birds

Black-throated Blue Warbler – 5/11/25

Observer: Paul Lauenstein

Observation Date: 5/11/25

Observation Time: 6:55 a.m.

Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary

Common Name: Black-throated Blue Warbler

Scientific Name: Setophaga caerulescens

More Information: All About Birds

Black-throated Blue Warbler – 5/13/19

Observer: Paul Lauenstein

Observation Date: 5/13/19

Observation Time: 7:45 a.m.

Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary

Common Name: Black-throated Blue Warbler

Scientific Name: Setophaga caerulescens

More Information: All About Birds

Black-throated Blue Warbler – 5/15/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein

Observation Date: 5/15/23

Observation Time: 7:45 a.m.

Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary

Common Name: Black-throated Blue Warbler

Scientific Name: Setophaga caerulescens

More Information: All About Birds

Black-throated Blue Warbler – 5/7/24

Observer: Paul Lauenstein

Observation Date: 5/7/24

Observation Time: 8:15 a.m.

Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary

Common Name: Black-throated Blue Warbler

Scientific Name: Setophaga caerulescens

More Information: All About Birds

Black-throated Green warbler – 5/12/25

Observer: Paul Lauenstein

Observation Date: 5/12/25

Observation Time: 9:15 a.m.

Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary

Common Name: Black-throated Green Warbler

Scientific Name: Setophaga virens

Comments: The song of this colorful warbler sounds like: “zee-zee-zee-zoo-zee.” It migrates through Sharon in early May.

More Information: All About Birds

Black-throated Green Warbler – 5/13/15

Observer: Paul Lauenstein

Observation Date: 5/13/15

Observation Time: 11:10 a.m.

Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary

Common Name: Black-throated Green Warbler

Scientific Name: Setophaga virens

Comments: The call of this warbler sounds like: “zee-zee-zee-zoo-zee.” It migrates through Sharon in May. I got these photos standing underneath a flowering crabapple tree. The blossoms attracted insects, which in turn attracted insectivorous warblers.

More Information: All About Birds

Black-throated Green Warbler – 5/3/24

Observer: Paul Lauenstein

Observation Date: 5/3/24

Observation Time: 11:00 a.m.

Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary

Common Name: Black-throated Green Warbler

Scientific Name: Setophaga virens

Comments: The call of this colorful warbler sounds like: “zee-zee-zee-zoo-zee.” It migrates through Sharon in early May.

More Information: All About Birds

Black-throated Green Warbler – 5/8/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein

Observation Date: 5/8/23

Observation Time: 7:05 a.m.

Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary

Common Name: Black-throated Green Warbler

Scientific Name: Setophaga virens

Comments: The call of this warbler sounds like: “zee-zee-zee-zoo-zee.” It migrates through Sharon in early May.

More Information: All About Birds

Black-throated green warbler – 9/26/17

Observer: Faith Berkland

Observation Date: 9/26/17

Observation Location: 302 Mansfield Street Sharon

Common Name: Black throated green warbler

Scientific Name: Setophaga virens

Comments: A nice collection of photos of black-throated green warblers can be found at: The Internet Bird Collection

More Information: All About Birds

Blackburnian Warbler – 5/12/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein

Observation Date: 5/12/23

Observation Time: 8:00 a.m.

Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary

Common Name: Blackburnian Warbler

Scientific Name: Setophaga fusca

Comments: These gorgeous warblers overwinter in South America. They tend to flit about high in tall trees, making them a challenge to photograph.

More Information: All About Birds

Blackburnian Warbler – 5/13/25

Observer: Paul Lauenstein

Observation Date: 5/13/25

Observation Time: 7:25 a.m.

Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary

Common Name: Blackburnian Warbler

Scientific Name: Setophaga fusca

Comments: These gorgeous warblers overwinter in South America. They tend to flit about high in tall trees, making them a challenge to photograph.

This morning the bright sunshine made the day-glow orange coloration on its head and throat stand out even at a distance.

More Information: All About Birds

Blackburnian Warbler – 5/15/15

Observer: Paul Lauenstein

Observation Date: 5/15/15

Observation Time: 7:15 a.m.

Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary

Common Name: Blackburnian Warbler

Scientific Name: Setophaga fusca

Comments: This photo does not do justice to these gorgeous warblers, which overwinter in South America. They tend to flit about high in tall trees, making them a challenge to photograph.

More Information: All About Birds

Blackburnian Warbler – 5/18/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein

Observation Date: 5/18/23

Observation Time: 6::25 a.m.

Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary

Common Name: Blackburnian Warbler

Scientific Name: Setophaga fusca

Comments: These gorgeous warblers overwinter in South America. They tend to flit about high in tall trees, making them a challenge to photograph.

More Information: All About Birds

Blue Jay – 11/19/12

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

Blue Jay – 4/28/26

Observer: Paul Lauenstein

Observation Date: 4/28/26

Observation Time: 8:40 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. This pair was taking advantage of the suet feeder at Moose Hill Audubon.

Blue jays can live up to 17 years. They have an astonishing array of vocalizations. Check it out at: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Blue_Jay/sounds

More Information: All About Birds

Blue Jay – 5/11/20

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

Blue Jay – 5/3/20

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

More Information: All About Birds

Blue Jay – 5/4/25

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

Blue Jay – 5/5/18

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

More Information: All About Birds

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher – 4/26/23

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

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher – 5/1/18

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

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher – 5/11/16

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

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher – 5/3/24

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.

More Information: All About Birds

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher – 5/5/23

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.

More Information: All About Birds

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher – 5/8/19

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.

More Information: All About Birds

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher – 5/8/25

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.

More Information: All About Birds

Blue-headed Vireo – 4/20/26

Observer: Paul Lauenstein

Observation Date: 4/20/26

Observation Time: 7:30 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

Blue-headed Vireo – 5/1/24

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

Blue-headed Vireo – 5/7/19

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

Blue-headed Vireo – 5/7/20

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

Blue-headed Vireo – 5/8/23

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

Blue-winged Warbler – 4/28/26

Observer: Paul Lauenstein

Observation Date: 4/28/26

Observation Time: 10:15 a.m.

Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (The Trustees of Reservations)

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. I found this one in the scrubby habitat under the high tension lines near Moose Hill Farm.

More Information: All About Birds

Blue-winged Warbler – 5/11/25

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

Blue-winged Warbler – 5/16/20

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

Blue-winged Warbler – 5/17/25

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

Blue-winged Warbler – 5/19/14

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

Blue-winged Warbler – 5/6/24

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

Blue-winged Warbler – 5/8/18

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

Blue-winged Warbler – 5/8/23

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

Bobolink – 5/15/25

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

Bobolink – 5/21/20

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

More Information: All About Birds

Bobolink – 5/26/19

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

Brewster’s Warbler – 5/20/23

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

Broad-winged Hawk – 4/21/24

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

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

Broad-winged Hawk – 4/21/26

Observer: Paul Lauenstein

Obervation Date: 4/21/26

Observation Time: 8:10 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. Its relatively small size and broad wings enable the broad-winged hawk to maneuver through the branches in pursuit of prey.

I used my Merlin app to hear its high-pitched cry and then followed the sound into the woods to find it high in a dead tree and get a photo of it.

More Information: All About Birds

Broad-winged Hawk – 4/28/22

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

More Information: All About Birds

Broad-winged Hawk – 5/4/24

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

More Information: All About Birds

Brown Creeper – 4/23/18

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.

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Brown Creeper – 4/26/24

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

Brown Creeper – 4/28/23

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

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Brown creepers are well-camouflaged!

Brown Creeper – 5/1/24

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

More Information: All About Birds

Brown Creeper – 5/1/26

Observer: Paul Lauenstein

Observation Date: 5/1/26

Observation Time: 9:30 a.m.

Observation Location: Near the foot bridge over Beaver Brook by the tennis courts

Common Name: Brown Creeper

Scientific Name: Certhia americana

More Information: All About Birds

Brown Creeper – 6/9/24

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.

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Brown Thrasher – 5/12/26

Observer: Paul Lauenstein

Observation Date: 5/12/26

Observation Time: 8:00 a.m.

Observation Location: Gavins Pond Road near soccer field parking lot

Common Name: Brown Thrasher

Scientific Name: Toxostoma rufum

Comments: The last time I saw a brown thrasher in Sharon was 15 years ago on May 2, 2011. It was in the same place where I saw this one – at the soccer parking lot near Gavins Pond.

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

Brown Thrasher – 5/2/11

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

Brown-headed Cowbird – 4/28/23

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

Brown-headed Cowbird – 4/7/14

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

Brown-headed Cowbird – 5/10/20

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

Brown-headed Cowbird (fledgling) – 5/16/23

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

Brown-headed Cowbird (male) – 5/7/23

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

More Information: All About Birds.org

Bufflehead – 11/19/13

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

Bufflehead – 3/8/20

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