sighting – Page 2 – Sharon Friends of Conservation

Clouded Sulphur butterfly – 8/30/11

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 8/30/11 Observation Location: Gavins Pond Road by soccer field parking lot Common Name: Clouded Sulphur butterfly Scientific Name: Colias philodice Comments: This butterfly was hard to photograph because it would not hold still! Note the big green eyes and the spots on the wing. More Information: Wisconsin Butterflies

Black-capped Chickadee – 6/4/10

Observer: Will Sweet Observation Date: 6/4/10 Observation Time: 4:30 p.m. Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Black-capped Chickadee Scientific Name: Poecile atricapillus Comments: This chickadee family was crowded into a nesting box. More Information: Whatbird.com

Buckeye Butterfly – 7/9/11

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/9/11 Observation Time: 3:00 p.m. Observation Location: Field near Gavins Pond Common Name: Buckeye Butterfly Scientific Name: Junonia coenia Comments: This bedraggled specimen is showing a lot of wear and tear on its wings. More Information: Wikipedia

Bittersweet Nightshade – 6/6/11

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/6/11 Observation Time: 1:40 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Road (bridge near soccer fields) Common Name: Bittersweet Nightshade Scientific Name: Solanum dulcamara More Information: King County, WA

Big Brown Bat – 11/12/12

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 11/12/12 Observation Time: 5:30 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Dam Common Name: Big Brown Bat Scientific Name: Eptesicus fuscus Comments: New England has little brown bats and big brown bats. Little brown bats are only found in New England in summer. Since these bats were observed in mid-November, they are presumably big brown bats. Bats fly fast, so getting these photos was not […]

Beach Rose – 6/2/11

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/2/11 Observation Time: 1:00 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Road near soccer field parking lot Common Name: Beach Rose Scientific Name: Rosa rugosa More Information: University of Rhode Island

Barn Swallow – 5/29/14

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/29/14 Observation Time: 12:35 p.m. Observation Location: stone hut by Upper Leach Pond at Borderland State Park Common Name: Barn Swallow Scientific Name: Hirundo rustica Comments: Barn swallows are passerine birds, which includes more than half of all bird species. A passerine bird has three toes pointing forward and one back. This facilitates perching. The passerines form one of the most diverse terrestrial […]

Banded Net-Winged Beetle – 8/6/11

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 8/6/11 Observation Time: 8:10 a.m. Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Road (back yard) Common Name: Banded Net-Winged Beetle Scientific Name: Calopteron discrepans Comments: This colorful beetle is found throughout the eastern U.S. Its bright color and contrast warn predators that they taste bad if eaten. More Information: University of Florida

Baltimore Oriole – 5/10/12

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/10/12 Observation Time: 7:00 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Dam Common Name: Baltimore Oriole Scientific Name: Icterus galbula Comments: First I heard the flutelike call, and then I spotted the brilliant orange oriole in an oak tree just pushing out its first leaves of spring. Even though it was 7:00 p.m. and the sun was low, the bird fairly glowed. I wonder how […]

Baltimore Oriole – 5/14/14

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/14/14 Observation Time: 2:20 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Baltimore Oriole Scientific Name: Icterus galbula Comments: Orioles weave a unique hanging nest. More Information: All About Birds

Baltimore Oriole – 11/21/12

Observer: Josh Simons Observation Date: 11/21/12 Observation Time: 9:00 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill area Common Name: Baltimore Oriole Scientific Name: Icterus galbula Comments: I’m told this is an immature male oriole. Unusual to see in November. More Information: All About Birds

Aurora Damsel – 6/21/10

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/21/10 Observation Time: 10:40 a.m. Observation Location: Beaver Brook near tennis courts Common Name: Aurora Damsel Scientific Name: Chromagrion conditum Comments: When perched, the aurora damsel keeps its wings spread, unlike other damselflies that fold their wings above their abdomens. More Information: Visiting Nature

Appalachian Brown Butterfly – 6/19/13

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/19/13 Observation Time: 4:50 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond area Common Name: Appalachian Brown Butterfly Scientific Name: Satyrodes appalachia Comments: Easily confused with Eyed Brown Butterfly (Satyrodes eurydice). See: http://www.naba.org/chapters/nabambc/frames-2species.asp?sp1=Satyrodes-eurydice&sp2=Satyrodes-appalachia More Information: Mass Audubon

American Toad – 5/26/14

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/26/14 Observation Time: 11:50 p.m. Observation Location: Borderland State Park Common Name: American Toad Scientific Name: Anaxyrus americanus Comments: Toads eat insects, so whenever I find one, I release it in my garden. More Information: Wikipedia

American Robin (leucistic) – 6/22/14

Observer: James Berkland Observation Date: 6/20/14 Observation Location: 161 Upland Street Common Name: American Robin (leucistic) Scientific Name: Turdus migratorius More Information: All About Birds: Color Variations

American Crow (mutant) – 12/12/09

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 12/12/09 Observation Time: 11:40 a.m. Observation Location: Wolomolopoag Street (Ward’s Barry Farm) Common Name: American Crow (mutant) Scientific Name: Corvus brachyrhynchos Comments: This mutant crow has a few white feathers mingled among the normally black feathers. More Information: All About Birds: White Crow

American Copper Butterfly – 5/21/14

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/21/14 Observation Time: 1:20 p.m. Observation Location: field near Gavins Pond dam Common Name: American Copper Butterfly Scientific Name: Lycaena phlaeas Comments: Like many small butterflies, the American copper is a stunning sight when viewed up close. More Information: Butterflies and Moths

American Copper Butterfly – 10/18/12

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 10/18/12 Observation Time: 2:15 p.m. Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Road (front yard) Common Name: American Copper Butterfly Scientific Name: Lycaena phlaeas Comments: This small but colorful butterfly can be seen all summer and into the fall. More Information: Butterflies and Moths

American Copper Butterfly – 5/12/12

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/12/12 Observation Time: 6:00 p.m. Observation Location: Furnace St. under high tension wires Common Name: American Copper Butterfly Scientific Name: Lycaena phlaeas Comments: This individual was chasing another to mate. More Information: Butterflies and Moths

American Black Duck – 12/17/11

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 12/17/11 Observation Time: 11:40 a.m. Observation Location: Sawmill Pond Common Name: American Black Duck Scientific Name: Anas rubripes Comments: This pair of black ducks mingled with some Canada geese and mallards. Shooting photos of this pair reminded me of my grandfather, who lived on Cape Cod and used to shoot black ducks for food during the first half of the twentieth […]

Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly – 7/6/14

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/6/14 Observation Time: 1:45 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond area near soccer parking area Common Name: Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly Scientific Name: Papilio troilus Comments: This spicebush swallowtail butterfly was observed feeding on milkweed flowers. Note that spicebush swallowtail butterflies are very similar to black swallowtail butterflies. Learn how to tell the difference at: http://www.naba.org/chapters/nabambc/frames-2species.asp?sp1=Papilio-polyxenes&sp2=Papilio-troilus

Bird’s Foot Violet – 5/30/14

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/30/14 Observation Time: 12:05 p.m. Observation Location: Power lines near Walpole St. Common Name: Bird’s Foot Violet Scientific Name: Viola pedata Comments: Bird-foot violets are perennials with five-petaled flowers that bloom from March to June. The flowers are typically blue, but can range from white to purple. They spread by sending out rhizomes. The fan-shaped leaves have three lobes which are said to […]

Black-billed Cuckoo – 5/27/14

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/27/14 Observation Time: 8:05 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Black-billed Cuckoo Scientific Name: Coccyzus erythropthalmus Comments: We heard this black-billed cuckoo before we finally spotted it. Even though cuckoos are relatively large birds, they typically don’t move around much, so they are hard to find unless you know what their call sounds like. More Information: All About Birds […]

Black and White Warbler – 5/13/14

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/13/14 Observation Time: 7:35 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Black and White Warbler Scientific Name: Mniotilta varia Comments: Black and white warblers are usually seen moving up and down tree trunks looking for bugs under the bark. More Information: All About Birds

Eastern Tailed-Blue butterfly – 5/11/14

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/11/14 Observation Time: 6:15 p.m. Observation Location: field near Gavins Pond Dam Common Name: Eastern Tailed-Blue butterfly Scientific Name: Cupido comyntas Comments: Like many small butterflies, the Eastern tailed blue is a stunning sight when viewed up close. The upper sides of the wings are blue. They appear in spring. More Information: Wikipedia

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