Sightings – Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 4/26/23
Observation Time: 6:25 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary (boardwalk)
Common Name: Swamp Sparrow
Scientific Name: Melospiza georgiana
Comments: The Swamp Sparrow has longer legs than other sparrows, which allows it to wade in shallow water to forage.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/17/15
Observation Time: 7:45 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Tennessee Warbler
Scientific Name: Leiothlypis peregrina
Comments: This bird was flitting around in a flowering crabapple tree.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Daniel O’Brien
Observation Date: 5/20/23
Observation Time: 8:30 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Tennessee Warbler
Scientific Name: Leiothlypis peregrina
Comments: This warbler was spotted in a tree near the giant sugar maples known as George & Martha.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 4/23/24
Observation Time: 7:30 am
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Tree Swallow
Scientific Name: Tachycineta bicolor
Comments: Tree swallows compete with bluebirds for nesting boxes.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 4/25/23
Observation Time: 8:51 am
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Tree Swallow
Scientific Name: Tachycineta bicolor
Comments: Tree swallows compete with bluebirds for nesting boxes.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Kurt Buermann
Observation Date: 5/12/11
Observation Time: 1:30 p.m.
Observation Location: Laveview Street meadow
Common Name: Tree swallow
Scientific Name: Tachycineta bicolor
Comments: Very commonly nests near bluebirds. Tree swallows may defend bluebirds against other tree swallow if they occupy adjacent nesting boxes.
More Information: All About Birds.org
Observer: Deb Radovsky
Observation Date: 5/18/16
Observation Time: N/A
Observation Location: Moose Hill area
Common Name: Tree Swallow
Scientific Name: Tachycineta bicolor
Comments: Tree swallows compete with bluebirds for nesting boxes.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/30/10
Observation Time: 4:35 p.m.
Observation Location: field near Gavins Pond
Common Name: Tree swallow
Scientific Name: Tachycineta bicolor
Comments: Tree swallows nest in bluebird nesting boxes. One strategy is to locate two bluebird houses within 10 yards of each other. Tree swallows nesting in one box will drive other tree swallows away from the other box, but allow bluebirds to move in.
More Information: All About Birds.org
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/4/11
Observation Time: 1:00 p.m.
Observation Location: near Gavins Pond Dam
Common Name: Tree swallow
Scientific Name: Tachycineta bicolor
Comments: Tree swallows compete for bluebird nesting boxes. Bluebird house are often set out in pairs. One box gets taken by a pair of tree swallows. They drive other tree swallows away from the other box, but allow bluebirds to move in.
More Information: All About Birds.org
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/5/23
Observation Time: 6:50 am
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Tree Swallow
Scientific Name: Tachycineta bicolor
Comments: Tree swallows compete with bluebirds for nesting boxes. This pair was sitting on the post of a nesting box.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/8/14
Observation Time: 7:10 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Tree swallow
Scientific Name: Tachycineta bicolor
Comments: Tree swallows compete with bluebirds for nesting boxes. However, if nesting boxes are sited in pairs, a tree swallow will occupy one box and drive away other tree swallows from the other box. That will allow bluebirds to nest there.
More Information: All About Birds.org
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 4/25/24
Observation Time: 9:15 am
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Tree Swallow
Scientific Name: Tachycineta bicolor
Comments: Tree swallows compete with bluebirds for nesting boxes.
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: Tufted Titmouse
Scientific Name: Baeolophus bicolor
Comments: This and the junco and wren 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: 11/27/20
Observation Time: 12:20 p.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond Rd. (my back yard)
Common Name: Tufted Titmouse
Scientific Name: Baeolophus bicolor
Comments: Tufted titmice are abundant in Sharon. They are often encountered in the company of chickadees.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 2/25/20
Observation Time: 12:50 p.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audbon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Tufted Titmouse
Scientific Name: Baeolophus bicolor
Comments: This tufted titmouse was feeding at the bird feeder by the Moose Hill Audubon headquarters.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 4/15/20
Observation Time: 1:15 p.m.
Observation Location: Conservation land near Sandy Ridge Circle
Common Name: Tufted Titmouse
Scientific Name: Baeolophus bicolor
Comments: Tufted titmice are abundant in the woods in Sharon. They are often encountered in the company of chickadees.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/1/18
Observation Time: 9:00 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audbon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Tufted Titmouse
Scientific Name: Baeolophus bicolor
Comments: Often seen in the company of chickadees.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/16/23
Observation Time: 7:50 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Tufted Titmouse
Scientific Name: Baeolophus bicolor
Comments: Tufted titmice are abundant in the woods in Sharon. They are often encountered in the company of chickadees. This one had caught a caterpillar.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/2/20
Observation Time: 12:50 p.m.
Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Road (in my back yard)
Common Name: Tufted Titmouse
Scientific Name: Baeolophus bicolor
Comments: Tufted titmice are abundant in the woods in Sharon. They are often encountered in the company of chickadees.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 4/11/11
Observation Time: 6:10 p.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond
Common Name: Turkey Vulture
Scientific Name: Cathartes aura
Comments: Turkey vultures are gliders. They ride thermal updrafts, so they rarely need to flap their wings.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 4/20/20
Observation Time: 9:10 a.m.
Observation Location: conservation land near Lakeview & Morse
Common Name: Turkey Vulture
Scientific Name: Cathartes aura
Comments: Turkey vultures are gliders. They ride thermal updrafts, so they rarely need to flap their wings.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Rick Dumont
Observation Date: 7/28/09
Observation Time: 2:00 p.m.
Observation Location: Belcher Street
Common Name: Turkey Vulture
Scientific Name: Cathartes aura
Comments: A bad smell invaded my yard during a rainy, humid spell. The buzzard must have been attracted to it. The smell went away shortly after the buzzard did.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/15/15
Observation Time: 10:35 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Veery
Scientific Name: Catharus fuscescens
Comments: A veery is a woodland thrush with an ethereal call, which if played back in slow motion reveals that the bird is actually mingling two calls simultaneously, like a violin player bowing two strings at once. I think of the veery’s two strands of downward-cascading sound as a double-helix. Hear it at: http://earbirding.com/blog/archives/3711
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/15/23
Observation Time: 9:00 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary (boardwalk)
Common Name: Veery
Scientific Name: Catharus fuscescens
Comments: Check out the veery’s ethereal song at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cK1gaTqBRRk
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/16/23
Observation Time: 9:15 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Veery
Scientific Name: Catharus fuscescens
Comments: Check out the veery’s ethereal song at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cK1gaTqBRRk
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Deb Radovsky
Observation Date: 5/18/18
Observation Time: 6:00 p.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill, Billings Loop
Common Name: Veery
Scientific Name: Catharus fuscescens
Comments: Check out the veery’s ethereal song at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cK1gaTqBRRk
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Josh Simons
Observation Date: 5/18/23
Observation Time: 2:40 p.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary (intersection of Deer and Kettle trails)
Common Name: Veery
Scientific Name: Catharus fuscescens
Comments: Check out the veery’s ethereal song at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cK1gaTqBRRk
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Deb Radovsky
Observation Date: 5/2/22
Observation Time: early morning
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary boardwalk
Common Name: Veery
Scientific Name: Catharus fuscescens
Comments: Check out the veery’s ethereal song at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cK1gaTqBRRk
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/22/18
Observation Time: 9:50 a.m.
Observation Location: woods near Beaver Brook
Common Name: Veery
Scientific Name: Catharus fuscescens
Comments: A veery is a woodland thrush with an ethereal call, which if played back in slow motion reveals that the bird is actually mingling two calls simultaneously, like a violin player bowing two strings at once. I think of the veery’s two strands of downward-cascading sound as a double-helix. Hear it at: http://earbirding.com/blog/archives/3711
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Jason Platt
Observation Date: 5/8/18
Observation Time: 10:30 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Veery
Scientific Name: Catharus fuscescens
Comments: A veery is a woodland thrush with an ethereal call, which if played back in slow motion reveals that the bird is actually mingling two calls simultaneously, like a violin player bowing two strings at once. I think of the veery’s two strands of downward-cascading sound as a double-helix. Hear it at: http://earbirding.com/blog/archives/3711
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/21/14
Observation Time: 4:40 p.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond
Common Name: Warbling vireo
Scientific Name: Vireo gilvus
Comments: Warbling vireos are usually found near water.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/6/15
Observation Time: 3:38 p.m.
Observation Location: near Gavins Pond
Common Name: Warbling Vireo
Scientific Name: Vireo gilvus
Comments: Warbling vireos are often found near water.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 3/8/14
Observation Time: 11:00 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: White-breasted nuthatch
Scientific Name: Sitta carolinensis
Comments: This white-breasted nuthatch was attracted to the suet feeder at Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary headquarters.
More Information: All About Birds: White-breasted Nuthatch
Observer: Josh Simons
Observation Date: 5/10/20
Observation Time: 1:15 p.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill area
Common Name: White-breasted nuthatch
Scientific Name: Sitta carolinensis
Comments: White-breasted nuthatches are year-round Sharon residents. Learn to identify their nasal call.
More Information: All About Birds: White-breasted Nuthatch
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/15/20
Observation Time: 7:50 a.m.
Observation Location: conservation land near Lakeview & Morse Sts.
Common Name: White-breasted nuthatch
Scientific Name: Sitta carolinensis
Comments: Here’s a lucky shot of a white-breasted nuthatch in flight.
More Information: All About Birds: White-breasted Nuthatch
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/2/25
Observation Time: 10:00 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: White-breasted nuthatch
Scientific Name: Sitta carolinensis
Comments: White-breasted nuthatches are year-round Sharon residents. They scurry up and down tree trunks looking for insect larvae under the bark with their upturned beak. Learn to identify their nasal call.
More Information: All About Birds: White-breasted Nuthatch
Observer: Deb Radovsky
Observation Date: 5/9/23
Observation Time: 7:00 p.m.
Observation Location: Paul Revere Rd., Sharon
Common Name: White-crowned sparrow
Scientific Name: Zonotrichia leucophrys
Comments: White-crowned sparrows migrate through Sharon every spring en route to their nesting grounds farther north.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 4/21/18
Observation Time: 2:00 p.m.
Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Road, Sharon
Common Name: white-throated sparrow
Scientific Name: Zonotrichia albicollis
Comments: This species passes through Sharon in spring on its way to Canada. It’s distinctive song sounds like, “Oh, say, Canada Canada Canada.”
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 4/23/25
Observation Time: 8:00 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: White-throated Sparrow
Scientific Name: Zonotrichia albicollis
Comments: This sparrow passes through Sharon in spring on its way to Canada. If you look at the dates of the white-throated sparrow sightings on this web site over the years, you will see that none are in summer.
Its distinctive song sounds like, “Oh, say, Canada Canada Canada.”
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 4/27/24
Observation Time: 5:45 p.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR)
Common Name: White-throated Sparrow
Scientific Name: Zonotrichia albicollis
Comments: This sparrow passes through Sharon in spring on its way to Canada. Its distinctive song sounds like, “Oh, say, Canada Canada Canada.”
The photos show two different white-throated sparrows, which I encountered in the same place. I assumed one was the male and the other was the female, but that assumption might not be correct. See: https://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/11424/20140904/variety-matters-among-white-throated-sparrows
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/14/14
Observation Time: 10:50 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: White-throated sparrow
Scientific Name: Zonotrichia albicollis
Comments: The song of the white-throated sparrow sounds like, “Oh, say, Canada-Canada-Canada.” It is a reminder that they are only passing through Sharon on their annual migrations.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/16/23
Observation Time: 8:00 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: White-throated Sparrow
Scientific Name: Zonotrichia albicollis
Comments: This sparrow passes through Sharon in spring on its way to Canada. Its distinctive song sounds like, “Oh, say, Canada Canada Canada.”
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 3/12/24
Observation Time: 5 p.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Wild Turkey
Scientific Name: Meleagris gallopavo
Comments: Wild turkeys are often seen near the headquarters building of the Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary. They glean bird seed that spills from the bird feeders onto the ground.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Josh Simons
Observation Date: 3/18/11
Observation Time: 8:00 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill area
Common Name: Wild Turkey
Scientific Name: Meleagris gallopavo
Comments: One of our largest and heaviest birds; smaller than a Trumpeter Swan; about twice the size (and four times as heavy) as a Ring-necked Pheasant. However, they can still fly. At night, groups of turkeys roost in trees.
More Information: Cornell Lab of Ornithology “All About Birds”
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 4/28/25
Observation Time: 8 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Wild Turkey
Scientific Name: Meleagris gallopavo
Comments: This lone male was showing off near the barn on the Billings Loop. Sometimes turkeys attack people, but this one left me alone.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 4/30/18
Observation Time: 8:00 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon
Common Name: Wild Turkey
Scientific Name: Meleagris gallopavo
Comments: Male (“tom”) turkeys display in springtime mating season to compete for status and the opportunity to mate.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/13/19
Observation Time: 9:00 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Wild Turkey
Scientific Name: Meleagris gallopavo
Comments: As wild turkey numbers dwindled through the early twentieth century, people began to look for ways to reintroduce this valuable game bird. Initially they tried releasing farm turkeys into the wild but those birds didn’t survive. In the 1940s, people began catching wild birds and transporting them to other areas. Such transplantations allowed Wild Turkeys to spread to all of the lower 48 states (plus Hawaii) and parts of southern Canada.
More Information: All About Birds
PS – Check out this documentary called “My Life as a Turkey”: https://www.documentarystorm.com/my-life-as-a-turkey/
Observer: Ilan Fisher
Observation Date: 5/20/20
Observation Time: 5:00 p.m.
Observation Location: Bayberry Drive
Common Name: Wild Turkey
Scientific Name: Meleagris gallopavo
Comments: Red team vs. Blue team – truly American birds! So much so that Ben Franklin thought the wild turkey would be preferable to the bald eagle as a national symbol. See: https://www.history.com/news/did-benjamin-franklin-propose-the-turkey-as-the-national-symbol
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Peter Higgins
Observation Date: 6/8/08
Observation Time: 6:15 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm
Common Name: Wild Turkey
Scientific Name: Meleagris gallopavo
Comments: This was my first venture to Moosehill Farm in the early hours and seeing this group of Tom Turkeys strutting their stuff got me hooked. Since that time I go up as often as possible. A week ago I stood quietly at the edge of a field and something caught my eye, a coyote was running full speed across the field.
More Information: Cornell Lab of Ornithology “All About Birds”
Additional Photos:
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 7/14/21
Observation Time: 2:45 p.m.
Observation Location: my back yard (4 Gavins Pond Rd.)
Common Name: Wild Turkey
Scientific Name: Meleagris gallopavo
Comments: I photographed this hen and her chicks out my bedroom window.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Judy Heap
Observation Date: 8/11/10
Observation Time: evening
Observation Location: Wilshire Drive backyard
Common Name: Wild Turkey
Scientific Name: Meleagris gallopavo
Comments: Wild turkeys can be aggressive, so keep a safe distance.
More Information: Cornell Lab of Ornithology “All About Birds”
Observer: Deb Radovsky
Observation Date: 5/5/18
Observation Time: 8:50 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill, Kettle Trail
Common Name: Wild Turkey
Scientific Name: Meleagris gallopavo
Comments: As Wild Turkey numbers dwindled through the early twentieth century, people began to look for ways to reintroduce this valuable game bird. Initially they tried releasing farm turkeys into the wild but those birds didn’t survive. In the 1940s, people began catching wild birds and transporting them to other areas. Such transplantations allowed Wild Turkeys to spread to all of the lower 48 states (plus Hawaii) and parts of southern Canada.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Liz Dichiara
Observation Date: 3/21/09
Observation Time: 5:45 p.m.
Observation Location: Cheryl Drive
Common Name: Wild Turkeys
Scientific Name: Meleagris gallopavo
Comments: Two beautiful males and five females walked through my wooded backyard today. The males were displaying to the females, who did not appear impressed.
More Information: All About Birds: Wild Turkey
Observer: Ilan Fisher
Observation Date: 5/18/18
Observation Time: 8:00 p.m.
Observation Location: Bayberry Drive
Common Name: Wild Turkey
Scientific Name: Meleagris gallopavo
Comments: The Wild Turkey’s popularity at the table led to a drastic decline in numbers, but they have recovered and now occur in every state except Alaska.
Poor guy. He is bonkers for the chick. I wonder if his broken tail feathers will thwart his plan.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/10/16
Observation Time: 9:50 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Center
Common Name: Wilson’s warbler
Scientific Name: Cardellina pusilla
Comments: This striking yellow warbler has an unmistakable black cap. It is more commonly found in western states, but it is occasionally sighted in Sharon.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Josh Simons
Observation Date: 5/30/16
Observation Time: 11:50 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill area
Common Name: Wood Duck
Scientific Name: Aix sponsa
Comments: This guy went running through our yard this morning. We were initially concerned to see such a young bird on his own, but my bird app says that wood ducks leave the nest shortly after hatching.
‘sponsa’ means ‘bethrothed’, i.e. dressed for a wedding, from the bird’s attractive appearance” (Dictionary of American Bird Names, by Ernest Choate)
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 10/11/09
Observation Time: 4:30 p.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond
Common Name: Wood Duck
Scientific Name: Aix sponsa
Comments: Brilliantly marked wood ducks are among our most beautiful birds (which is saying a lot), but they are easily spooked, so it’s hard to get close enough for a good photo.
More Information: All About Birds.org
Observer: Josh Simons
Observation Date: 3/31/21
Observation Time: 11:00 AM
Observation Location: Moose Hill area
Common Name: Wood duck
Scientific Name: Aix sponsa
Comment: “sponsa” means “betrothed” — dressed for a wedding – a comment on the beauty of the male plumage.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Faith Berkland
Observation Date: 4/20/25
Observation Time: 6:45 PM
Observation Location: 302 Mansfield Street
Common Name: Wood Duck
Scientific Name: Aix sponsa
Comment: This is from my bedroom window and it’s hard to see but this is a male and female wood duck. There were 2 pairs earlier.
“Sponsa” means “betrothed” — dressed for a wedding – a comment on the beauty of the male plumage. Wood duck drakes are among the most spectacularly colored birds in Sharon.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Ilan Fisher
Observation Date: 5/1/09
Observation Location: Beside the school admin building on School St.
Common Name: Wood Duck
Scientific Name: Aix sponsa
Comments: Yes, these ducks actually roost in trees! They nest in cavities in large trees.
More Information: All About Birds.org
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 9/28/14
Observation Time: 4:50 p.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond
Common Name: Wood Duck
Scientific Name: Aix sponsa
Comments: Wood ducks are often seen in Gavins Pond in the fall. They are quite shy, so getting close enough to get a good photo of these spectacular ducks is a challenge. Note that the female has drab plummage compared to the gaudy drake.
More Information: All About Birds.org
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 9/30/11
Observation Time: 4:30 p.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond
Common Name: Wood Duck
Scientific Name: Aix sponsa
Comments: Wood ducks have spectacular plumage, but they are very shy and difficult to approach, so it is a real challenge to get a good photo.
This flock of wood ducks (there were at least a dozen, of which three are visible in the photo) showed up at Gavins Pond on September 30. Although I walk there daily, I have not seen them since then. Perhaps they were migrating through Sharon that day.
More Information: All About Birds.org
Observer: Jeff Rose
Observation Date: 3/10/18
Observation Time: 8:00 AM
Observation Location: 302 Mansfield Street, Sharon, MA
Common Name: Wood duck (drake)
Scientific Name: Aix sponsa
Comment: Male ducks are referred to as drakes.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 10/19/12
Observation Time: 2:05 p.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond
Common Name: Wood Duck
Scientific Name: Aix sponsa
Comments: These skittish ducks have spectacular plumage. Unlike most other ducks, they have sharp claws for perching in trees.
Wood Duck populations increased between 1966 and 2015 according to the North American Breeding Bird Survey. This is good news considering their dramatic declines in the late 19th century. Wood Ducks can be found throughout the year in the U.S., with some individuals breeding in Canada, and some wintering in Mexico.
More Information: All About Birds.org
Observer: Josh Simons
Observation Date: 5/13/23
Observation Time: 11:00 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Wood thrush
Scientific Name: Hylocichla mustelina
Comments: The wood thrush’s melodic “ee-oh-lay” song is often heard in the woods. If you learn to recognize it, you can follow the sound to get a look at the bird.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/14/14
Observation Time: 12:00 p.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Wood thrush
Scientific Name: Hylocichla mustelina
Comments: The “Ee-oh-lay” song of the wood thrush has a melodic quality.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/2/24
Observation Time: 8:15 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Wood thrush
Scientific Name: Hylocichla mustelina
Comments: The wood thrush’s melodic “ee-oh-lay” song is often heard in the woods. If you learn to recognize it, you can follow the sound to get a look at the bird.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/27/14
Observation Time: 6:40 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Wood thrush
Scientific Name: Hylocichla mustelina
Comments: This wood thrush was spotted on its nest.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/9/23
Observation Time: 6:50 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Wood thrush
Scientific Name: Hylocichla mustelina
Comments: We heard this wood thrush’s melodic “ee-oh-lay” song before we spotted it high in a dead tree.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/7/25
Observation Time: 10:00 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Wood thrush
Scientific Name: Hylocichla mustelina
Comments: The wood thrush’s melodic “ee-oh-lay” song is often heard in the woods. If you learn to recognize it, you can follow the sound to get a look at the bird.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/15/15
Observation Time: 12:40 p.m.
Observation Location: woods beyond Everett Street
Common Name: Worm-eating Warbler
Scientific Name: Helmitheros vermivorum
Comments: The worm-eating warbler is so-named because it eats caterpillars. It overwinters in Central America and Caribbean islands.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/23/23
Observation Time: 8:45 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Worm-eating Warbler
Scientific Name: Helmitheros vermivorum
Comments: The worm-eating warbler is so-named because it eats caterpillars. It overwinters in Central America and Caribbean islands.
Unlike most other warbler species that pass through Sharon on their spring and fall migrations to and from their breeding areas farther north, worm-eating warblers only migrate as far north as Massachusetts, where they nest and rear their young.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/25/18
Observation Time: 7:30 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Worm-eating Warbler
Scientific Name: Helmitheros vermivorum
Comments: The worm-eating warbler is so-named because it eats caterpillars. It overwinters in Central America and Caribbean islands.
Unlike most other warbler species that pass through Sharon on their spring and fall migrations to and from their breeding areas farther north, worm-eating warblers only migrate as far north as Massachusetts, where they nest and rear their young.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/3/25
Observation Time: 9:30 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Worm-eating Warbler
Scientific Name: Helmitheros vermivorum
Comments: The worm-eating warbler is so-named because it eats caterpillars. It overwinters in Central America and Caribbean islands.
Unlike most other warbler species that pass through Sharon on their spring and fall migrations to and from their breeding areas farther north, worm-eating warblers only migrate as far north as Massachusetts, where they nest and rear their young.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/4/24
Observation Time: 9:30 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Worm-eating Warbler
Scientific Name: Helmitheros vermivorum
Comments: The worm-eating warbler is so-named because it eats caterpillars. It overwinters in Central America and Caribbean islands.
Unlike most other warbler species that pass through Sharon on their spring and fall migrations to and from their breeding areas farther north, worm-eating warblers only migrate as far north as Massachusetts, where they nest and rear their young.
More Information: All About Birds
