Sightings – Birds
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
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
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 to listen for.
More Information: All About Birds
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
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
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!
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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: 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: 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: 5/2/11
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: 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: 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: 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: 5/14/23
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: 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
Observer: Josh Simons
Observation Date: 1/30/11
Observation Time: 1:30 p.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill area
Common Name: Carolina Wren
Scientific Name: Thryothorus ludovicianus
Comments: For more than 70 years, no Carolina Wrens were recorded during a Christmas Bird Count in Vermont. Then, in 1975, two were spotted. After being observed sporadically on subsequent counts, the bird began making regular appearances in 1991, and its numbers increased steadily from 1999 to 2006. Once a southern species seen rarely during New England’s traditionally cold winters, the wren is now a regular. And it’s not alone. Milder winters and the earlier onset of spring have spurred a variety of species to spread their wings farther north, including Tufted Titmouse, Red-bellied Woodpecker, and Cape May Warbler.
More Information: Cornell Lab of Ornithology “All About Birds”
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 4/24/24
Observation Time: 8:45 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Carolina Wren
Scientific Name: Thryothorus ludovicianus
Comments: The Carolina Wren is sensitive to cold weather, with the northern populations decreasing markedly after severe winters. Global warming might 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
