Sightings – Sharon Friends of Conservation

Pink-Spotted Lady Beetle – 9/28/24

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 9/29/24 Observation Time: 4:00 p.m. Observation Location: Ward’s Berry Farm Common Name: Pink-Spotted Lady Beetle Scientific Name: Coleomegilla maculata Comments: The pink-spotted lady beetle feeds on the eggs of several moths that eat corn crops, so perhaps it was no coincidence that I enountered this one near a corn field at Ward’s Berry Farm. The pink-spotted lady beetle can eat around […]

Belted Kingfisher – 9/23/24

Observer: Lauren Kilmer Observation Date: 9/23/24 Observation Time: 2:03 p.m. Observation Location: Borderland State Park (Morse Loop Cedar Swamp) Common Name: Belted Kingfisher Scientific Name: Megaceryle alcyon Comments: First heard the bird calls, confirmed it with Merlin Bird app, then saw two kingfishers flying low on the southeast portion of the swamp. More Information: All About Birds

Hairy Mountain Mint – 9/23/24

Observer: Jean Zaniewski Observation Date: 9/23/24 Observation Time: 12:15 p.m. Observation Location: Nstar high tension line property near Old Post Rd Common Name: Hairy Mountain Mint Scientific Name: Pycnanthemum verticillatum var. pilosum Comments: This plant grows to 3 feet tall 3 feet wide. I was attracted to this wildflower as I walked because it is taller, more robust; and a later, more prolific flower producer […]

Chocolate Tube Slime Mold – 9/13/24

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 9/13/24 Observation Time: 1:40 p.m. Observation Location: Borderland State Park Common Name: Chocolate Tube Slime Mold Scientific Name: Stemonitis splendens Comments: Slime molds are neither plants nor animals. They are members of the phylum Amoebozoa, and are related to amoeba. Slime molds are aggregates of single-celled organisms. Some kinds of slime molds can grow up to 9 feet long! Slime molds […]

Black-staining Polypore – 8/10/24

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 8/10/24 Observation Time: 3:20 p.m. Observation Location: beside Wolomolopoag St. Common Name: Black-staining Polypore Scientific Name: Meripilus sumstinei Comments: These two large fungi were growing by a large stump. One of them was beginning to turn black. More Information: Maryland Biodiversity

Short-tailed Weasel – 7/21/24

Observer: Faith Berkland Observation Date: 7/21/24 Observation Time: N/A Observation Location: 302 Mansfield St. Common Name: Short-tailed Weasel Scientific Name: Mustela erminea Comments: White undersides (as opposed to cream-colored), white feet, and small size differentiate short-tailed weasels from long-tailed weasels. Mink are all brown. Short-tailed weasels are also known as a stoats. In winter, they turn all white with a black-tipped tail, and are called […]

Polyphemus Moth – 7/20/24

Observer: Josh Simons Observation Date: 7/20/24 Observation Time: 2:00 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Common Name: Polyphemus Moth Scientific Name: Antheraea polyphemus Comments: The polyphemus moth is a North American member of the family Saturnidae, the giant silk moths. More Information: Wikipedia

Barred Owl – 7/6/24

Observer: Bruce Lewis Observation Date: 7/6/24 Observation Time: 5:00 p.m. Observation Location: Top of the bend on Moose Hill Street Common Name: Barred Owl Scientific Name: Strix varia Comments: This is the first owl I’ve seen in three years. More Information: All About Birds

Yellow-billed Cuckoo – 7/2/14

Observer: Bruce Lewis Observation Date: 7/2/24 Observation Time: 5:00 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Yellow-billed Cuckoo Scientific Name: Coccyzus americanus Comments: I heard the yellow-billed cuckoo as I was standing at the beginning of the Billings path but the bird was deep in the woods. I recorded its song with my cell phone and then I edited the recording by […]

American Beech Tree (diseased) – 6/27/24

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/27/24 Observation Time: 6:30 p.m. Observation Location: Massapoag Brook trail between Ames St. and Mann’s Pond Common Name: American Beech Tree Scientific Name: Fagus grandifolia Comments: This beech tree is infected with Beech Leaf Disease (BLD). The disease kills and causes dieback of American beech trees. Since its discovery, BLD has been detected in 13 states, including Ohio, Connecticut, Delaware, […]

Pale Green Weevil – 6/23/24

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/23/24 Observation Time: 1:20 p.m. Observation Location: Borderland State park Common Name: Pale Green Weevil Scientific Name: Polydrusus impressifrons Comments: This brilliant metallic-green broad-nosed weevil joined us at a picnic table at Borderland State Park. Weevils are a type of beetle whose mouths are adapted to sucking juices from leaves and other plant parts. More Information: University of Minnesota

Golden Jumping Spider – 6/23/24

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/23/24 Observation Time: 1:20 p.m. Observation Location: Borderland State Park Common Name: Golden Jumping Spider Scientific Name: Paraphidippus aurantius Comments: This strikingly marked jumping spider joined us at a picnic table at Borderland State Park. More Information: iNaturalist

Ringneck Snake – 6/11/24

Observer: Anna Baur Observation Date: 6/11/24 Observation Time: 4:00 pm Observation Location: Old Wolomolopoag Street Common Name: Ringneck Snake Scientific Name: Diadophis punctatus Comments: Ringneck snakes prefer moist woodlands as their habitat. This is also habitat for an important prey item, redback salamanders. Although salamanders make up the bulk of their diet, ringnecks will also feed on earthworms, insects and, on occasion, fish. As relatively […]

American Carrion Beetle – 6/4/24

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/4/24 Observation Time: 12:40 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (T.T.O.R.) Common Name: American Carrion Beetle Scientific Name: Necrophilia americana Comments: From spring through fall, during daylight, a few hours after flies begin arriving at a carcass, the adult beetles will arrive as well. They immediately begin eating the already hatching fly larvae, mating, and laying their own eggs. As long as […]

Brown Creeper – 6/9/24

Observer: Barry Dulong Observation Date: 6/9/24 Observation Time: 5:30 p.m. Observation Location: Forest Trail, Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Brown Creeper Scientific Name: Certhia americana Comments: I was approximately 1/3rd down trail when I heard call. I was not familiar with call so I opened Merlin. It identified the call as a Brown Creeper. I looked for 10 minutes until I saw it. Very […]

Morbid Owlet Moth – 6/4/24

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/4/24 Observation Time: 12:15 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Morbid Owlet Moth Scientific Name: Chytolita morbidalis Comments: The morbid owlet moth is found in large parts of North America The larvae feed on the leaves of various deciduous trees. As you can see from the photo, the adult moth blends in with the leaf litter on […]

Spicebush Swallowtail – 6/4/24

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/4/24 Observation Time: 1:00 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (T.T.O.R.) Common Name: Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly Scientific Name: Papilio troilus Comments: I saw this spicebush swallowtail butterfly feeding on a flowering beauty bush beside the driveway leading into Moose Hill Farm. Spicebush swallowtail butterflies are similar to black swallowtail butterflies. Spicebush swallowtails have a marking that looks like a comet […]

Indigo Bunting – 6/4/24

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/24/24 Observation Time: 11:50 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon WIldlife Sanctuary Common Name: Indigo Bunting Scientific Name: Passerina cyanea Comments: Indigo buntings are actually black; the diffraction of light through their feathers makes them look blue. This explains why males can appear as various hues from turquoise to black. Indigo buntings are more common now than when the pilgrims first […]

Carolina Allspice – 6/4/24

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/4/24 Observation Time: 9:05 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Carolina Allspice Scientific Name: Calycanthus floridus Comments: Also known as Carolina Sweetshrub, this plant deserves its name. The blossoms are fragrant and the leaves are aromatic when bruised. More Information: Wikipedia and North Carolina Native Plant Society

Acadian Flycatcher – 6/2/24

Observer: Barry Dulong Observation Date: 6/2/24 Observation Time: 10:30 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Acadian flycatcher Scientific Name: Empidonax virescens Comments: Picked up call on Merlin. Easy to spot chasing flying insects. More Information: All About Birds (The attached photo comes from the internet)

Norway Maple tree – 5/29/24

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/29/24 Observation Time: 12:20 p.m. Observation Location: High Street, Sharon Common Name: Norway Maple tree Scientific Name: Acer Platanoides Comments: The Norway maple is native to eastern and central Europe and western Asia, from France east to Russia, north to southern Scandinavia and southeast to northern Iran. It was brought to North America in the mid-1700s as a shade tree. It […]

Eastern Hemlock tree – 5/29/24

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/29/24 Observation Time: 12:15 p.m. Observation Location: High Street, Sharon Common Name: Eastern Hemlock tree Scientific Name: Tsuga canadensis Comments: Hemlocks are currently threatened by the hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae), a sap-sucking bug introduced from East Asia to the United States in 1924, and first found in the native range of eastern hemlock in the late 1960s. The adelgid has spread very […]

Black Raspberry – 5/29/24

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/29/24 Observation Time: 11:35 a.m. Observation Location: Sharon Historical Society, High Street, Sharon Common Name: Black Raspberry Scientific Name: Rubus occidentalis Comments: The black raspberry is related to the red raspberry Rubus idaeus and Rubus strigosus, sharing the white underside of leaves, and fruit that readily detaches from the carpel. Black raspberry grows in disturbed areas and in meadows, often near streams […]

Black Locust tree – 5/29/24

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/29/24 Observation Time: 11:00 a.m. Observation Location: High Street, Sharon Common Name: Black Locust tree Scientific Name: Robinia pseudocacia Comments: The blossoms of black locust trees are edible, but beware of the thorns. More Information: The Foraged Foodie

Mulberry tree – 5/29/24

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/29/24 Observation Time: 10:40 a.m. Observation Location: High Street, Sharon Common Name: Mulberry tree Scientific Name: Morus (family) Comments: Mulberry is a tree belonging to the Moraceae family (also including the fig, jackfruit, and other fruits). Generally, the genus has 64 subordinate taxa, three of which are well-known and are ostensibly named for the fruit color of the best-known cultivar: […]

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