Sightings – Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 4/21/24
Observation Time: 7:30 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Eastern Towhee (male)
Scientific Name: Pipilo erythrophthalmus
Comments: Towhees are common birds in Sharon, especially along edges between woods and open fields, but they are heard more than seen. The male’s song sounds like he’s singing, “Drink your tea.” They are sometimes seen scratching among dead leaves on the ground, presumably looking for insects to eat.
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: Eastern Towhee
Scientific Name: Pipilo erythrophthalmus
Comments: The Towhee’s song sounds like, “Drink your tea,” making it easy to remember when you’re in the woods. It’s call sounds like its name, “Toe-wee.”
Eastern Towhees are often victims of the parasitic Brown-headed Cowbird. Female cowbirds lay eggs in towhee nests, then leave the towhees to raise their cowbird young. In some areas cowbirds lay eggs in more than half of all towhee nests. Towhees, unlike some other birds, show no ability to recognize or remove the imposter’s eggs. Female cowbirds typically take out a towhee egg when laying their own, making the swap harder to notice.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 4/23/25
Observation Time: 9:30 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Eastern Towhee (male)
Scientific Name: Pipilo erythrophthalmus
Comments: Towhees are common birds in Sharon, especially along edges between woods and open fields, but they are heard more than seen. The male’s song sounds like he’s singing, “Drink your tea.” They are sometimes seen scratching among dead leaves on the ground, presumably looking for insects to eat.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 4/21/24
Observation Time: 7:30 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Eastern Towhee (male)
Scientific Name: Pipilo erythrophthalmus
Comments: Towhees are common birds in Sharon, especially along edges between woods and open fields, but they are heard more than seen. The male’s song sounds like he’s singing, “Drink your tea.” They are sometimes seen scratching among dead leaves on the ground, presumably looking for insects to eat.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/11/19
Observation Time: 7:30 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Eastern Towhee (male)
Scientific Name: Pipilo erythrophthalmus
Comments: Towhees are common birds in Sharon, especially along edges between woods and open fields, but they are heard more than seen. The male’s song sounds like he’s singing, “Drink your tea.” They are sometimes seen scratching among dead leaves on the ground, presumably looking for insects to eat.
Note its deep red eye.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/15/14
Observation Time: 3:40 p.m.
Observation Location: field near Gavins Pond dam
Common Name: Eastern Towhee
Scientific Name: Pipilo erythrophthalmus
Comments: The Eastern towhees is the largest member of the sparrow family. Its call, “Drink your tea.” can be heard much more often than it is seen, but once you become aware of them, you will realize that they are very common in Sharon.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/19/19
Observation Time: 7:45 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Eastern Towhee (male)
Scientific Name: Pipilo erythrophthalmus
Comments: Towhees are common birds in Sharon, especially along edges between woods and open fields, but they are heard more than seen. The male’s song sounds like he’s singing, “Drink your tea.” They are sometimes seen scratching among dead leaves on the ground, presumably looking for insects to eat.
Note its deep red eye.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/27/19
Observation Time: 5:30 p.m.
Observation Location: Under high tension wires across the street from Ward’s Berry Farm
Common Name: Eastern Towhee (male)
Scientific Name: Pipilo erythrophthalmus
Comments: This male towhee tried to scare me away by repeatedly raising one wing or the other to make itself look more intimidating. Note its deep red eye.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/3/24
Observation Time: 10:30 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Eastern Towhee (male & female)
Scientific Name: Pipilo erythrophthalmus
Comments: Towhees are common birds in Sharon, especially along edges between woods and open fields, but they are heard more than seen. The male’s song sounds like he’s singing, “Drink your tea.” I heard this male and female scratching together among dead leaves on the ground, presumably looking for insects to eat.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/4/11
Observation Time: 1:50 p.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond
Common Name: Eastern towhee
Scientific Name: Pipilo erythrophthalmus
Comments: Towhees are the largest of the sparrows. They are quite common in Sharon. They have a distinctive call that sounds like “Drink your tea.”
More Information: All About Birds.org
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/4/13
Observation Time: 5:55 p.m.
Observation Location: Soccer parking area on Gavins Pond Road
Common Name: Eastern Towhee
Scientific Name: Pipilo erythrophthalmus
Comments: The Eastern Towhee is our largest sparrow. This male was scuffing for food in the dry leaves on the ground in a grove of trees beside the soccer parking lot. The racket he was making attracted my attention.
The call of the Towhee, which sounds like “Toe-wee,” accounts for its name. It has another call that is said to sound like “Drink Your Tea.” Once you learn to recognize the Towhee’s call, you will begin to realize that these shy birds are quite common around here, even though you may not see them in the foliage.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/6/15
Observation Time: 3:30 p.m.
Observation Location: field near Gavins Pond
Common Name: Eastern Towhee
Scientific Name: Pipilo erythrophthalmus
Comments: The Eastern Towhee is our largest sparrow. Its song can be remembered easily because it sounds like it is singing, “Drink your tea.”
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Josh Simons
Observation Date: 5/16/20
Observation Time: 7:00 p.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill area
Common Name: Eastern Towhee (female)
Scientific Name: Pipilo erythrophthalmus
Comments: Towhees are common birds in Sharon, especially along edges between woods and open fields, but they are heard more than seen. The male’s song sounds like he’s singing, “Drink your tea.” They are often seen scratching among dead leaves on the ground, looking for insects to eat.
Towhees are large members of the sparrow family.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Deborah Radovsky
Observation Date: 5/6/22
Observation Time: early morning
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Eastern Towhee (female)
Scientific Name: Pipilo erythrophthalmus
Comments: A strikingly marked, oversized sparrow of the East
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Jason Platt
Observation Date: 5/8/18
Observation Time: 10:00 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Eastern Towhee (female)
Scientific Name: Pipilo erythrophthalmus
Comments: Towhees are common birds in Sharon, especially along edges between woods and open fields, but they are heard more than seen. The male’s song sounds like he’s singing, “Drink your tea.”
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 6/29/11
Observation Time: 11:40 a.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond
Common Name: Eastern Towhee (female)
Scientific Name: Pipilo erythrophthalmus
Comments: This female Rufous-sided Towhee chirped “towee” repeatedly as it hopped around in a shrub. It’s a common bird that is heard more than seen. The male’s song sounds like he’s singing, “Drink your tea.”
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Deborah Radovsky
Observation Date: 5/5/22
Observation Time: early morning
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Eastern Towhee (male)
Scientific Name: Pipilo erythrophthalmus
Comments: A strikingly marked, oversized sparrow of the East
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/16/23
Observation Time: 9:45 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Eastern Wood-Pewee
Scientific Name: Contopus virens
Comments: The unmistakable song of the wood-pewee (“pee-a-wee”) sounds like its name. It’s a member of the flycatcher family that is typically found in or near forested areas.
You can find and play bird songs online. The more bird calls you memorize, the more bird species you will be able to identify in the field, where the birds themselves are often concealed by foliage.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/23/16
Observation Time: 7:00 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Eastern Wood-Pewee
Scientific Name: Contopus virens
Comments: The unmistakable song of the wood-pewee (“pee-a-wee”) sounds like its name. It’s a member of the flycatcher family that is typically found in or near forested areas.
You can find and play bird songs online. The more bird calls you memorize, the more bird species you will be able to identify in the field, where the birds themselves are often concealed by foliage.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/24/18
Observation Time: 6:55 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Eastern Wood-Pewee
Scientific Name: Contopus virens
Comments: The unmistakable song of the wood-pewee (“pee-a-wee”) sounds like its name. It’s a member of the flycatcher family that is typically found in or near forested areas.
You can find and play bird songs online. The more bird calls you memorize, the more bird species you will be able to identify in the field, where the birds themselves are often concealed by foliage.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Deb Radovsky
Observation Date: 5/29/22
Observation Time: early morning
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary near Billings barn
Common Name: Eastern Wood-Pewee
Scientific Name: Contopus virens
Comments: The unmistakable song of the wood-pewee (“pee-a-wee”) sounds like its name. It’s a member of the flycatcher family that is typically found in or near forested areas.
You can find and play bird songs online. The more bird calls you memorize, the more bird species you will be able to identify in the field, where the birds themselves are often concealed by foliage.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 6/21/25
Observation Time: 4:40 p.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR)
Common Name: Eastern Wood-Pewee
Scientific Name: Contopus virens
Comments: The unmistakable song of the wood-pewee (“pee-a-wee”) sounds like its name. It’s a member of the flycatcher family that is typically found in or near forested areas. I heard and then saw this one in the woods.
You can find and play bird songs online. The more bird calls you memorize, the more bird species you will be able to identify in the field, where the birds themselves are often concealed by foliage. A free cell phone app called Merlin can be extremely helpful in learning bird calls.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 4/19/15
Observation Time: 4:50 p.m.
Observation Location: field near Gavins Pond
Common Name: Field Sparrow
Scientific Name: Spizella pusilla
Comments: The song of the field sparrow is a series of chirps that gets progressively more rapid like a bouncing ping-pong ball. Check it out at: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Field_Sparrow/sounds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/1/24
Observation Time: 11:45 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Field Sparrow
Scientific Name: Spizella pusilla
Comments: Field sparrows have a relatively long tail, a thin white eye ring, and a pinkish conical bill. They have a gray face and a rust-colored cap. However, the best way to tell them apart from other sparrows is their song, an accelerating trill reminiscent of a bouncing ping-pong ball.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/11/25
Observation Time: 10:00 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Field Sparrow
Scientific Name: Spizella pusilla
Comments: Field sparrows have a relatively long tail, a thin white eye ring, and a pinkish conical bill. They have a gray face and a rust-colored cap. However, the best way to tell them apart from other sparrows is their song, an accelerating trill reminiscent of a bouncing ping-pong ball.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Deb Radovsky
Observation Date: 5/12/18
Observation Time: 9:10 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR), Powerline Trail
Common Name: Field Sparrow
Scientific Name: Spizella pusilla
Comments: The clear trill of the Field Sparrow is a familiar summer sound in brushy fields and roadsides of the East and Midwest. The tempo of its song accelerates like a bouncing ping-pong ball.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/26/14
Observation Time: 5:55 p.m.
Observation Location: field near Gavins Pond dam
Common Name: Field sparrow
Scientific Name: Spizella pusilla
Comments: The song of a field sparrow starts out slowly and then gets faster, like a bouncing ping-pong ball. There are at least 18 species of sparrows in Massachusetts. Learning their respective calls is a good way to find and identify them.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/27/19
Observation Time: 5:05 p.m.
Observation Location: Rocky bluff under power lines near So. Walpole Street
Common Name: Field Sparrow
Scientific Name: Spizella pusilla
Comments: Field sparrows have a relatively long tail, a thin white eye ring, and a pinkish conical bill. They have a gray face and a rust-colored cap. However, the best way to tell them apart from other sparrows is their song, an accelerating trill reminiscent of a bouncing ping-pong ball.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 6/2/19
Observation Time: 2:40 p.m.
Observation Location: Rocky bluff under power lines near So. Walpole Street
Common Name: Field Sparrow
Scientific Name: Spizella pusilla
Comments: Field sparrows have a relatively long tail, a thin white eye ring, and a pinkish conical bill. They have a gray face and a rust-colored cap. However, the best way to tell them apart from other sparrows is their song, an accelerating trill reminiscent of a bouncing ping-pong ball.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Faith Berkland
Observation Date: 11/25/23
Observation Time: 3:10 pm
Observation Location: 302 Mansfield Street Sharon, MA
Common Name: Golden-crowned Kinglet
Scientific Name: Regulus satrapa
Comments: Had camera but wasn’t close enough to get a good shot.
Golden-crowned Kinglets are boldly marked with a black eyebrow stripe and flashy lemon-yellow crest. A good look can require some patience, as they spend much of their time high up in dense spruce or fir foliage. To find them, listen for their high, thin call notes and song. Though barely larger than a hummingbird, this frenetically active bird can survive –40 degree nights, sometimes huddling together for warmth. They breed in the far north and montane west and visit most of North America during winter.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Josh Simons
Observation Date: 5/12/20
Observation Time: 6:00 p.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill area
Common Name: Gray Catbird
Scientific Name: Dumetella carolinensis
Comments: Catbirds are one of three mimics in our area. Mockingbirds and Brown Thrashers are the other two. Catbirds repeat sounds just once, whereas Brown Thrashers repeat sounds twice, and Mockingbirds repeat them three or four times before moving on to the next sound. Sometimes you can hear the calls of other common birds echoed in the calls of these mimics.
Catbirds also make a “mewing” sound, hence their name.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/23/23
Observation Time: 8:45 p.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon WIldlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Gray Catbird
Scientific Name: Dumetella carolinensis
Comments: Catbirds are one of three mimics in our area. Mockingbirds and Brown Thrashers are the other two. Catbirds repeat sounds just once, whereas Brown Thrashers repeat sounds twice, and Mockingbirds repeat them three or four times before moving on to the next sound. Sometimes you can hear the calls of other common birds echoed in the calls of these mimics.
Catbirds also make a “mewing” sound, hence their name.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/9/25
Observation Time: 8:00 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon WIldlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Gray Catbird
Scientific Name: Dumetella carolinensis
Comments: Catbirds are one of three mimics in our area. Mockingbirds and Brown Thrashers are the other two. Catbirds repeat sounds just once, whereas Brown Thrashers repeat sounds twice, and Mockingbirds repeat them three or four times before moving on to the next sound. Sometimes you can hear the calls of other common birds echoed in the calls of these mimics.
Catbirds also make a “mewing” sound, hence their name.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 6/9/13
Observation Time: 1:55 p.m.
Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Road (back yard)
Common Name: Gray Catbird
Scientific Name: Dumetella carolinensis
Comments: Catbirds are one of three mimics in our area. Mockingbirds and Brown Thrashers are the other two. Catbirds repeat sounds just once, whereas Brown Thrashers repeat sounds twice, and Mockingbirds repeat them three or four times before moving on to the next sound. Sometimes you can hear the calls of other common birds echoed in the calls of these mimics.
Catbirds also make a “mewing” sound, hence their name.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Ilan Fisher
Observation Date: 8/28/20
Observation Time: 2:00 p.m.
Observation Location: near intersection of Beach & Harding Streets
Common Name: Gray Catbird
Scientific Name: Dumetella carolinensis
Comments: Catbirds are one of three mimics in our area. Mockingbirds and Brown Thrashers are the other two. Catbirds repeat sounds just once, whereas Brown Thrashers repeat sounds twice, and Mockingbirds repeat them three or four times before moving on to the next sound. Sometimes you can hear the calls of other common birds echoed in the calls of these mimics.
Catbirds also make a “mewing” sound, hence their name.
Catbirds are mostly gray with a dark cap, but they also have a striking rusty-red patch on the underside of the base of the tail.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 11/11/12
Observation Time: 4:25 p.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond Dam
Common Name: Great Blue Heron
Scientific Name: Ardea herodias
Comments: These magnificent birds are often seen wading in shallow ponds looking for a meal of fish, frogs, snakes, and even small mammals.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Alison Siegel
Observation Date: 4/16/10
Observation Time: 6:00 a.m.
Observation Location:
Common Name: Great Blue Heron
Scientific Name: Ardea herodias
Comments: Great Blue Heron was walking across beach off of Lakeview Street in shallow water.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Tamara Fisher
Observation Date: 5/13/22
Observation Time: 8:30 a.m.
Observation Location: Mann’s Pond
Common Name: Great Blue Heron
Scientific Name: Ardea herodias
Comments: Adult great blue herons weigh about 5 lbs. They weigh more than great horned owls, which weigh about 3 lbs., but they are not the largest bird found in Sharon. Bald eagles can reach 14 lbs.
Great blue herons make large nests in tall trees. They establish rookeries consisting of multiple nests.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/26/10
Observation Time: 5:15 p.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond
Common Name: Great Blue Heron
Scientific Name: Ardea herodias
Comments: Great blue herons primarily feed on small fish, but they are opportunistic feeders and will eat whatever comes within striking distance. They occasionally snack on shrimp, crabs, small mammals, amphibians, small birds, rodents, and insects.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Judy Karlin
Observation Date: 6/15/25
Observation Time: 1:10 p.m.
Observation Location: Mattakesett Circle
Common Name: Great Blue Heron
Scientific Name: Ardea herodias
Comments: I sighted this heron in my front yard. What a surprise!
Adult great blue herons weigh about 5 lbs. They weigh more than great horned owls, which weigh about 3 lbs., but they are not the largest bird found in Sharon. Bald eagles can reach 14 lbs.
Great blue herons make large nests in tall trees. They establish rookeries consisting of multiple nests.
More Information: All About Birds
Screenshot
Observer: Ilan Fisher
Observation Date: 7/20/14
Observation Time: 12:00 p.m.
Observation Location: Massapoag Ave/Community center
Common Name: Great Blue Heron
Scientific Name: Ardea herodias
Comments: Probably checking out Sucker Brook, which flows into Lake Massapoag nearby, for a snack.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Ilan Fisher
Observation Date: 8/20/20
Observation Time: 10:00 a.m.
Observation Location: Lake Massapoag
Common Name: Great Blue Heron
Scientific Name: Ardea herodias
Comments: Adult great blue herons weigh about 5 lbs. They weigh more than great horned owls, which weigh about 3 lbs., but they are not the largest bird found in Sharon. Bald eagles can reach 14 lbs.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 6/15/13
Observation Time: 1:40 p.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Great Blue Heron Rookery
Scientific Name: Ardea herodias
Comments: These three juvenile herons were occupying a huge nest in a big tree, waiting for their parents to bring food. They will fly away soon to fend for themselves.
Note the eyes of the right-most bird in the photo. Being able to look down has obvious utility for a wading hunter. Although Great Blue Herons have a wingspan of around six feet, they only weigh about five pounds because they have hollow bones. This helps them fly. They can live up to 24 years, according to banding records.
Great Blue Herons prey on fish, amphibians, reptiles, insects, rodents, and even birds.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 6/26/10
Observation Time: 3:10 p.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Great Blue Heron Rookery
Scientific Name: Ardea herodias
Comments: Comments: The great blue heron nest shown in the photos below was part of a rookery consisting of many heron nests clustered in a pine grove.
While walking in the woods on a summer afternoon, we heard a clattering cacaphony, and followed out ears to find out what was making the racket. We came to a place where the forest floor was splotched in white guano. We looked up and saw many huge nests scattered among the tall pine trees.
It appears from the photo that the juvenile herons were as interested in us as we were in them. Note how their eyes stick out a little and are able to swivel so they can peer downwards. I imagine this trait is useful when the herons are wading around the edge of a pond looking for fish.
This observation occurred late in the nesting season when the young herons were almost ready to fly away.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/11/18
Observation Time: 2:30 p.m.
Observation Location: meadow at Lakeview & Morse (see photo below)
Common Name: Great crested flycatcher
Scientific Name: Myiarchus crinitus
Comments: The great-crested flycatcher has a pale yellow breast. The memory hook I use to remember its call is “weep, weep, weep.”
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/11/23
Observation Time: 7:00 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Great Crested flycatcher
Scientific Name: Myiarchus crinitus
Comments: The great-crested flycatcher has a pale yellow breast. The underside of its tail is reddish brown.
The memory hook I use to remember its call is “weep, weep, weep.”
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/11/25
Observation Time: 8:50 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Great Crested flycatcher
Scientific Name: Myiarchus crinitus
Comments: The great-crested flycatcher has a pale yellow breast. The underside of its tail is reddish brown.
The memory hook I use to remember its call is “weep, weep, weep.”
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/15/20
Observation Time: 8:45 a.m.
Observation Location: conservation land near Lakeview & Morse Sts.
Common Name: Great crested flycatcher
Scientific Name: Myiarchus crinitus
Comments: The great-crested flycatcher has a pale yellow breast. The underside of its tail is reddish brown.
The memory hook I use to remember its call is “weep, weep, weep.”
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/26/14
Observation Time: 11:45 a.m.
Observation Location: Borderland State Park
Common Name: Great crested flycatcher
Scientific Name: Myiarchus crinitus
Comments: The great-crested flycatcher has a pale yellow breast. The memory hook I use to remember its call is “weep, weep, weep.”
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/27/19
Observation Time: 5:10 p.m.
Observation Location: Rocky bluff under power lines near So. Walpole St.
Common Name: Great Crested flycatcher
Scientific Name: Myiarchus crinitus
Comments: The great-crested flycatcher has a pale yellow breast. The underside of its tail is reddish brown.
The memory hook I use to remember its call is “weep, weep, weep.”
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/7/24
Observation Time: 9:00 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Great Crested flycatcher
Scientific Name: Myiarchus crinitus
Comments: The great-crested flycatcher has a pale yellow breast. The underside of its tail is reddish brown.
The memory hook I use to remember its call is “weep, weep, weep.”
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Josh Simons
Observation Date: 7/2/20
Observation Time: 3:00 p.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill area
Common Name: Great crested flycatcher
Scientific Name: Myiarchus crinitus
Comments: The great-crested flycatcher has a pale yellow breast. The underside of its tail is reddish brown.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 8/21/12
Observation Time: 5:30 p.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond
Common Name: Great Egret
Scientific Name: Ardea alba
Comments: The great egret, symbol of the National Audubon Society, is almost as big as a great blue heron, but it is pure white. The legs are black and the beak is yellow. They summer in North America, where they nest, and winter in Central and South America.
Great egrets are easily confused with the white-phase great blue heron, but great egrets have black legs while white-phase great blue herons have much lighter legs. Herons also have slightly heavier beaks and “shaggier” feathers on their breast.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 4/17/16
Observation Time: 11:00 a.m.
Observation Location: woods near Gavins Pond
Common Name: Great Horned Owl
Scientific Name: Bubo virginianus
Comments: Half-grown owlet on a branch with its mother, which is partially obscured by branches.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Julia Tavares
Observation Date: 4/28/22
Observation Time: 6:30 p.m.
Observation Location: Pine Grove Ave.
Common Name: Great Horned Owl (juvenile)
Scientific Name: Bubo virginianus
Comments: We first saw this juvenile Great Horned Owl on our back porch. Then it moved to the front yard. At first we thought it was a snowy owl, but we found out later that it was a juvenile Great Horned Owl.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 1/20/10
Observation Time: 4:30 p.m.
Observation Location: Ward’s Berry Farm
Common Name: Greater White-fronted Goose
Scientific Name: Anser albifrons
Comments: Note the white at the base of the beak, the mottled breast and the orange legs that differentiate the white-fronted goose from the Canada geese with which it was mingling.
More Information: All About Birds: Greater White-fronted Goose
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 12/14/09
Observation Time: 1:50 p.m.
Observation Location: Wolomolopoag Pond
Common Name: Greater White-fronted Goose
Scientific Name: Anser albifrons
Comments: White-fronted geese, barnacle geese, and snow geese, which summer in the arctic, depend on Sharon’s open spaces for winter refuge. Catching a glimpse of one is a reminder of the role Sharon’s open spaces play in global ecosystems. Scan flocks of Canada geese for one that looks different.
More Information: All About Birds: Greater White-fronted Goose
Observer: Will Sweet
Observation Date: 2/22/09
Observation Time: 9:30 a.m.
Observation Location: Ward’s Fields
Common Name: Greater White-fronted Goose
Scientific Name: Anser albifrons
Comments: The Greater White-fronted Goose I saw was with about 180 Canada Geese. This is at least the second individual this winter. The other one was seen from November to mid December
More Information: All About Birds: Greater White-fronted Goose
Observer: Keevin Geller
Observation Date: 8/5/13
Observation Time: 5:00 p.m.
Observation Location: Saw Mill Pond, Sharon
Common Name: Green Heron
Scientific Name: Butorides virescens
Comments: Green Herons are common breeders in coastal and inland wetlands. They nest along swamps, marshes, lakes, ponds, impoundments, and other wet habitats with trees and shrubs to provide secluded nest sites. They may even nest in dry woods and orchards as long as there is water nearby for foraging. Green Herons spend the winter in southern coastal areas of their range, and in marine and freshwater habitat throughout Mexico and Central America.
More Information: Cornell Lab of Ornithology “All About Birds”
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/13/19
Observation Time: 11:00 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Hairy Woodpecker
Scientific Name: Picoides villosus
Comments: Hairy woodpeckers look like downy woodpeckers, but they are larger. This one worked for hours to hollow out a hole for nesting high up in a dead tree. Woodpecker species can be differentiated by the drumming sound they make, as well as their calls.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 7/6/10
Observation Time: 8:50 a.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond Road
Common Name: Hairy Woodpecker
Scientific Name: Picoides villosus
Comments: Hairy woodpeckers look like downy woodpeckers, but they are larger.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 4/28/23
Observation Time: 11:00 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Hermit Thrush
Scientific Name: Catharus guttatus
Comments: This one was singing near a trail in the woods. I was able to identify its song before I saw it.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/4/24
Observation Time: 9:00 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Hermit Thrush
Scientific Name: Catharus guttatus
Comments: This one was singing near a trail in the woods. I heard its song before I saw it.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 11/14/10
Observation Time: 9:15 a.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond
Common Name: Hooded merganser
Scientific Name: Lophodytes cucullatus
Comments: Hooded mergansers are diving ducks. The drake (male) has a spectacular white “hood” on the back of its head, and striking black and white bars on its body, while the female is drab reddish brown.
“A small fish-eating duck of wooded ponds, the Hooded Merganser nests in holes in trees. It is frequently seen on shallow waters where its only waterfowl companion is the Wood Duck.” – All About Birds
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 3/10/10
Observation Time: 1:00 p.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond
Common Name: Hooded merganser
Scientific Name: Lophodytes cucullatus
Comments: I observed two males and a female hooded merganser diving frequently. Also saw one common merganser, several ring-necked ducks, and a pair of wood ducks among a large number of Canada geese.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Ilan Fisher
Observation Date: 3/8/20
Observation Time: 3:00 p.m.
Observation Location: Car Shop Pond
Common Name: Hooded merganser
Scientific Name: Lophodytes cucullatus
Comments: Check out the video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnoGijQwyvw
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 11/17/12
Observation Time: 4:45 p.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond
Common Name: Hooded Merganser (male)
Scientific Name: Lophodytes cucullatus
Comments: Hooded mergansers are small but striking diving ducks that migrate through Sharon on their way south for the winter.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Will Sweet
Observation Date: 5/17/23
Observation Time: 10:00 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Hooded Warbler
Scientific Name: Setophaga citrina
Comments: Hooded warblers are typically not found in Massachusetts. The northern extent of their range is reportedly southern Connecticut and Rhode Island. See: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Hooded_Warbler/maps-range
It will be interesting to see if this sighting is a harbinger of a northward shift in the range of hooded warblers as a result of climate change.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 3/1/14
Observation Time: 10:30 a.m.
Observation Location: Ward’s Berry Farm
Common Name: Horned Lark
Scientific Name: Eremophila alpestris
Comments: In winter, horned larks can be found scavenging for seeds in Ward’s Berry Farm fields bounded by Wolomolopoag St. and South Main Street. Hopefully someone will submit a better photo than this one in the future.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 11/27/20
Observation Time: 12:05 p.m.
Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Rd. (my back yard)
Common Name: House Finch
Scientific Name: Setophaga discolor
Comments: Male house finches have reddish coloration on their head and breast. Females are streaked brown. Both have a heavy, conical beak for cracking seeds open.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 4/25/23
Observation Time: 1:15 pm
Observation Location: Gavins Pond Rd (my back yard)
Common Name: House Finch
Scientific Name: Setophaga discolor
Comments: Male house finches have reddish coloration on their head and breast. Females are brown. Both have a heavy, conical beak for cracking seeds open.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/2/20
Observation Time: 7:45 a.m.
Observation Location: Ward’s Berry Farm
Common Name: House Finch
Scientific Name: Setophaga discolor
Comments: Male house finches have reddish coloration on their head and breast. Females are brown. Both have a heavy, conical beak for cracking seeds open.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/5/18
Observation Time: 8:05 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: House Finch
Scientific Name: Setophaga discolor
Comments: Male house finches have reddish coloration on their head and breast. Females are brown. Both have a heavy, conical beak for cracking seeds open.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 6/17/13
Observation Time: 4:30 p.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond area
Common Name: House Finch
Scientific Name: Setophaga discolor
Comments: Male house finches have reddish coloration on their head and breast. Females are brown. Both have a heavy, conical beak for cracking seeds open.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 7/13/13
Observation Time: noon
Observation Location: Gavins Pond soccer fields
Common Name: House Finch (female)
Scientific Name: Setophaga discolor
Comments: Male house finches have reddish coloration on their head and breast. Females are brown. Both have a heavy, conical beak for cracking seeds open.
More Information: All About Birds
