Category: Bird

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 9/30/10 Observation Time: 9:25 a.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Road near soccer fields Common Name: Eastern Bluebird Scientific Name: Sialia sialis Comments: Bluebirds are becoming an increasingly common sight in the open fields bordered by woods in the vicinity of the soccer fields on Gavins Pond Road, thanks to the nesting boxes provided by SFOC. More Information: Cornell Lab of Ornithology […]

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: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 8/2/10 Observation Time: 8:40 a.m. Observation Location: near Gavins Pond Common Name: Mourning Dove Scientific Name: Zenaida macroura Comments: The mourning dove is one of the most abundant and widespread of all North American bird species. It is also a leading gamebird, with more than 20 million birds (up to 70 million in some years) shot annually in the U.S., both for sport […]

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/31/10 Observation Time: 11:15 a.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond outflow pool Common Name: Spotted Sandpiper Scientific Name: Actitis macularia Comments: Though you may think of the beach as the best place to see a sandpiper, look for Spotted Sandpipers alone or in pairs along the shores of lakes, rivers, and streams. More Information: All About Birds

Observer: Patti Austin Observation Date: 7/20/10 Observation Time: 4:30 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary – back yard Common Name: Indigo Bunting Scientific Name: Passerina cyanea Comments: WOW! More Information: All About Birds

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/15/10 Observation Time: 10:50 a.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Road soccer field parking lot Common Name: Bluebird (juvenile) Scientific Name: Sialia sialis Comments: Young bluebirds that recently left the nest have distinctive white spots on their wings. The presence of this juvenile at the Gavins Pond Road soccer field parking lot indicates the success of SFOC efforts to provide nesting […]

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: 7/5/10 Observation Time: 5:35 p.m. Observation Location: Ward’s Berry Farm Common Name: Killdeer Scientific Name: Charadrius vociferus Comments: This “freshwater sandpiper” was attracted to a puddle in Ward’s field during hot dry weather. A member of the plover family, killdeers lay their camouflaged eggs on the ground without bothering to make a nest. More Information: Wikipedia

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 […]

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: 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: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/5/09 Observation Time: 1:30 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm, Trustees of Reservations 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. They are more common now than when the pilgrims […]

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: 4/25/09 Observation Time: 11:05 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Eastern Bluebird Scientific Name: Sialia sialis Comments: Female (above) and male (below) More Information: Cornell Lab of Ornithology “All About Birds”

Observer: Yujie Hu Observation Date: 3/25/09 Observation Time: 4:30 p.m. Observation Location: Saw Mill Pond Common Name: Mute Swan Scientific Name: Cygnus olor Comments: Our two sons spotted these two swans on the pond behind our back yard, and they have stayed for about a week; we hope they will make it their home. For more information about the pros and cons of swans, see: […]

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: Rick Dumont Observation Date: 3/21/09 Observation Time: 3:00 p.m. Observation Location: Backyard near Bay Road Common Name: Northern Flicker Scientific Name: Colaptes auratus Comments: Love the coloring… If you learn to recognize the distinctive call of the flicker, you will hear them frequently in wooded areas. More Information: Cornell Lab of Ornithology “All About Birds”

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 3/19/09 Observation Time: 4:00 p.m. Observation Location: Gavin’s Pond Common Name: Ring-necked Duck Scientific Name: Aythya collaris Comments: I saw ring-necked ducks last spring at Gavins Pond. They must use Gavins Pond to rest and feed during their migration. More Information: All About Birds: Ring-necked Duck

Observer: Will Sweet Observation Date: 2/18/09 Observation Time: 11:45 a.m. Observation Location: Sharon Community Gardens Common Name: Red-shouldered hawk Scientific Name: Buteo lineatus Comments: The hawk was perched in a large dead tree. It flew across the gardens many times spooking robins and starlings. More Information: Whatbird.com: Red-shouldered Hawk