Animal – Page 15 – Sharon Friends of Conservation

Cedar Waxwing – 8/2/20

Observer: Deb Radovsky Observation Date: 8/2/20 Observation Time: 6:40 a.m. Observation Location: along Lake Massapoag Common Name: Cedar Waxwing Scientific Name: Bombycilla cedrorum Comments: Cedar Waxwings typically travel in groups. More Information: All About Birds

Large Lace-border Moth – 7/11/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/11/20 Observation Time: 3:40 p.m. Observation Location: along Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Large Lace-border Moth Scientific Name: Scopula limboundata Comments: Large Lace-border Moths rest with their wings flat making it easy to admire the creamy hues of its wings. There is some variety within the species. Some individuals are mostly white with faint brown waves at the edges of the […]

Widow Underwing Moth – 7/7/20

Observer: Josh Simons Observation Date: 7/7/20 Observation Time: 1:30 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill area Common Name: Widow Underwing moth Scientific Name: Catocala vidua Comments: The widow underwing (Catocala vidua) is a moth of the Erebidae family. It is found from southern Ontario, into Maine, New Hampshire and Connecticut, south at least to Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama, west to Texas and Oklahoma, and north to […]

Great Crested Flycatcher – 7/2/20

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

Red Fox – 6/25/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/25/20 Observation time: 8:45 a.m. Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Rd. Common Name: Red fox Scientific Name: Vulpes vulpes Comments: It was a thrill to see these three playful red foxes in our back yard. One of them seemed quite interested in the neighbor’s fluffy cat, which stood its ground. Despite its name, individual red foxes have variable coloration. The […]

Viceroy Butterfly – 6/22/20

Observer: Zahava Friedman Observation Date: 6/22/20 Observation Time: 10:40 a.m. Observation Location: near Gavins Pond Common Name: Viceroy butterfly Scientific Name: Limenitis archippus Comments: Viceroys are smaller than the famous migrating monarchs, and the black markings are different. Note the curved black line on the hind wings. Monarchs do not have this line. Viceroys are brush-footed butterflies, which have tiny, hairy forelegs that look more like brushes […]

Raccoon – 6/19/20

Observer: Josh Simons Observation Date: 6/19/20 Observation Time: 3:30 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill area Common Name: Raccoon Scientific Name: Procyon lotor Comments: Raccoons are mainly nocturnal, but this family was out foraging during the day. Raccoons are smart and quite capable of defending themselves against dogs or anything else that might try to harass them. More Information: National Geographic

Raccoon and Gray Fox – 6/16/20

Observer: Kurt Buermann Observation Date: 6/16/20 Observation Time: 8:20 p.m. Observation Location: Furnace Street Common Name: Raccoon and Gray Fox Scientific Name: Procyon lotor and Urocyon cinereoargenteus Comments: This raccoon and gray fox – both of which are predators – were feeding peacefully together on the porch. More Information: Wikipedia and Nature Works Here’s a link to the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BX-v4iZD_j4

Grape Leaffolder Moth – 6/14/20

Observer: Josh Simons Observation Date: 6/14/20 Observation Time: 6:00 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill area Common Name: Grape Leaffolder Moth Scientific Name: Desmia funeralis Comments: This moth is called a grape leaffolder because its larvae folds the leaves of muscadine grape vines and keeps them folded using bands of silk thread. This interferes with the plant’s ability to photosynthesize, and weakens it, resulting in a decreased grape harvest the […]

Eastern Kingbird – 6/14/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/14/20 Observation Time: 4:40 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Eastern Kingbird Scientific Name: Tyrannus tyrannus Comments: Kingbirds are members of the flycatcher family. The tip of the tail looks like it was dipped in white paint. Their call has been likened to the sound of arcing electricity. In summer kingbirds eat mostly flying insects. Pairs maintain a […]

Red-spotted Admiral – 6/14/20

Observer: Josh Simons Observation Date: 6/14/20 Observation Time: 4:00 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill area Common Name: Red-spotted Admiral (or red-spotted purple) butterfly Scientific Name: Limenitis arthemis astyanax Comments: The red-spotted purple butterfly is the same species as the white admiral butterfly. It is a North American species in the genus Limenitis. It has been studied for its evolution of mimicry, and for the several stable […]

Common Pondhawk Dragonfly (female) – 6/14/20

Observer: Josh Simons Observation Date: 6/14/20 Observation Time: 1:15 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill area Common Name: Common Pondhawk (or Eastern Pondhawk) dragonfly (female) Scientific Name: Erythemis simplicicollis Comments: Pondhawk dragonflies are voracious hunters, but they are completely harmless to humans. Females are green. Males are blue. Females oviposit in flight, hovering low over the water and repeatedly dipping their abdomens into the water to release […]

Slaty Skimmer Dragonfly (female) – 6/14/20

Observer: Josh Simons Observation Date: 6/14/20 Observation Time: 11:30 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill area Common Name: Slaty Skimmer dragonfly (female) Scientific Name: Libellula incesta Comments: Watch this video of the slaty skimmer dragonfly as it oviposits at Gavins Pond. More Photos: Odonata.bogfoot.net

Lilypad Forktail Damselfly 6-9-20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/9/20 Observation Time: 3:45 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond dam Common Name: Lilypad forktail damselfly Scientific Name: Ischnura kellicotti Comments: A southern species that appears to have increased in Massachusetts lately. This specimen is the red form of the female. There is also a blue form. Males are bright blue. More Information: Wisconsin Odonata Survey

Dusted Skipper Butterfly – 6/9/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/9/20 Observation Time: 3:20 p.m. Observation Location: meadow near Gavins Pond Common Name: Dusted Skipper Butterfly Scientific Name: Atrytonopsis hianna Comments: Note the proboscis extended to gather nectar. Also note the finely banded antennae. More Information: Wisconsin Butterflies

Frosted Elfin Butterfly – 6/9/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/9/20 Observation Time: 3:15 p.m. Observation Location: undisclosed location in Sharon Common Name: Frosted Elfin Butterfly Scientific Name: Callophrys irus Comments: Frosted elfins are listed as rare by the Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program (NHESP). More Information: Species Status Assessment Report

Common Ringlet Butterfly – 6/9/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/9/20 Observation Time: 3:00 p.m. Observation Location: meadow near Gavins Pond dam Common Name: Common Ringlet butterfly Scientific Name: Coenonympha tullia Comments: Ringlets can be found in a variety of grassy habitats, including roadsides, woodland edges and clearings, prairies, bogs, and arctic and alpine taiga and tundra. It is an erratic flyer. It is a holarctic species found in northern Europe […]

Spittlebug – 6/9/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/9/20 Observation Time: 1:50 p.m. Observation Location: beside soccer parking area on Gavins Pond Rd Common Name: Spittlebug Scientific Name: Philaenus spumarius Comments: Spittlebugs are known for the frothy spittle mass they produce while feeding on plants. More Information: University of Minnesota Extension

House Wren – 6/9/20

Observer: Josh Simons Observation Date: 6/9/20 Observation Time: 9:30 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill area Common Name: House Wren Scientific Name: Troglodytes aedon Comments: House wrens often fill bluebird nesting boxes chock full of twigs, presumably to prevent other birds from nesting in their territory. They have a harsh, jumbled scolding call. Learn it and you will find them around town. More Information: All About Birds

Harlequin Darner Dragonfly (male) – 6/9/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/9/20 Observation Time: 1:30 p.m. Observation Location: field near Gavins Pond dam Common Name: Harlequin Darner dragonfly (male) Scientific Name: Gomphaeschna furcillata Comments: The Harlequin Darner is a member of the Aeshnidae family of dragonflies. This species occurs across much of the eastern United States and parts of southeast Canada. Its range extends to eastern Texas. Harlequin darners resemble taper-tailed darners. The pale 7-shaped […]

Fisher – 6/4/20

Observer: Eric Zaniewski Observation Date: 6/4/20 Observation Time: 3:00 p.m. Observation Location: Old Post Road Common Name: Fisher Scientific Name: Martes pennanti Comments: Eric Zaniewski spotted this fisher while bicycling along Old Post Road, and managed to get this remarkable photo. Fishers are sometimes referred to as fisher cats, but they do not fish and they are not cats. They are members of the weasel family. […]

Schlaeger’s Fruitworm Moth – 6/2/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/2/20 Observation Time: 1:30 p.m. Observation Location: Near tennis courts at outbound train station Common Name: Schlaeger’s fruitworm moth Scientific Name: Antaeotricha schlaegeri Comments: The Schlaeger’s fruitworm moth is found in north-eastern North America, south to North Carolina and west to Kansas and Texas. Adults resemble a bird-dropping. The wingspan is 21–30 mm. The larvae feed on white oak and related species. […]

Harlequin Darner Dragonfly – 6/2/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/2/20 Observation Time: 1:15 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Harlequin Darner dragonfly Scientific Name: Gomphaeschna furcillata Comments: The Harlequin Darner is a member of the Aeshnidae family of dragonflies. The species occurs across much of the eastern United States and parts of southeast Canada. Its range extends to eastern Texas. Harlequin darners resemble taper-tailed dragonflies. The pale 7-shaped mark […]

Eastern Cottontail – 5/31/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/31/20 Observation Time: 5:00 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Eastern cottontail rabbit Scientific Name: Sylvilagus floridanus Comments: The Eastern cottontail is an introduced species that is now common in Sharon. Much rarer is the native New England Cottontail, which is smaller and has shorter ears and a black spot on its forehead. If is very hard to tell these […]

Song Sparrow – 5/31/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/31/20 Observation Time: 4:50 p.m. Observation Location: Trustees of Reservations’ Moose Hill Farm Common Name: Song Sparrow Scientific Name: Melospiza melodia Comments: 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

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