Category: Animal

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/14/15 Observation Time: 6:05 p.m. Observation Location: in the trees between the back soccer field and Gavins Pond 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 to listen […]

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/30/15 Observation Time: 1:00 p.m. Observation Location: woods beyond Everett Street Common Name: Ovenbird Scientific Name: Seiurus aurocapilla Comments: Ovenbirds are in the warbler family. Their insistent “teacher, teacher, teacher” call is one of the most commonly heard birdsongs in the woods around Sharon. They are called ovenbirds because their nests, which are built on the ground, resemble little ovens. More Information: All About Birds

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: May 24, 2015 Observation Time: 5:20 p.m. Observation Location: along Beaver Brook near the train station Common Name: Pine Warbler Scientific Name: Setophaga pinus Comments: Notice that this pine warbler is in a pine tree. Many warbler species migrate through Sharon in May on their way to nesting areas farther north, but pine warblers nest here in Sharon, and can be found in summer. More Information: All […]

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/22/15 Observation Time: 4:20 p.m. Observation Location: near Gavins Pond Common Name: Prairie Warbler Scientific Name: Setophagia discolor Comments: Prairie warblers can be found in unforested areas such as those under the high-tension lines. I encountered this one in a field near Gavins Pond. If you learn to recognize their song, you will find them much easier. 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: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/16/15 Observation Time: 8:30 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: American redstart Scientific Name: Setophaga ruticilla Comments: Redstarts are members of the warbler family. Their song is variable, and can be confused with the songs of some other warblers. See: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Redstart/id More Information: All About Birds

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/16/15 Observation Time: 8:20 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Chestnut-sided Warbler Scientific Name: Setophaga pensylvanica Comments: Dazzling woodland warblers migrate through Sharon every spring on their way from South and Central America to Canada. Catching sight of one leaves an indelible impression. 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: 5/15/15 Observation Time: 10:45 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Common Yellowthroat Scientific Name: Geoothlypis trichas Comments: Common yellowthroats are typically found in or near wetlands. They are a type of warbler, with a distinctive black mask that is reminiscent of a raccoon. Their song sounds like, “witchety, witchety, witchety.” 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 […]

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/15/15 Observation Time: 7:35 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Cedar Waxwing Scientific Name: Bombycilla cedrorum Comments: These striking birds are typically seen in groups. Their tails look as if they were dipped in yellow paint. See:http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Cedar_Waxwing/id

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/15/15 Observation Time: 7:15 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Blackburnian Warbler Scientific Name: Setophaga fusca Comments: This photo does not do justice to these gorgeous warblers, which overwinter in South America. They tend to flit about high in tall trees, making them a challenge to photograph. More Information: All About Birds

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/14/15 Observation Time: 7:00 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Black-billed Cuckoo Scientific Name: Coccyzus erythropthalmus Comments: We heard this cuckoo before someone in our group spotted it. They tend to sit quietly on a branch, so the absence of movement makes them hard to find. Black-billed cuckoos have distinctive red eyes. More Information: All About Birds

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/14/15 Observation Time: 6:45 Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Baltimore Oriole Scientific Name: Icterus galbula Comments: Baltimore orioles are among the most brightly colored birds found in Sharon. They weave remarkable hanging nests. More Information: All About Birds  

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/13/15 Observation Time: 11:25 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Yellow-rumped Warbler Scientific Name: Setophaga coronata Comments: I got these photos standing underneath a flowering crabapple tree. The blossoms attracted insects, which in turn attracted insectivorous warblers that needed fuel to continue their migration. More Information: All About Birds

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/13/15 Observation Time: 11:10 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Black-throated Green Warbler Scientific Name: Setophaga virens Comments: The call of this warbler sounds like: “zee-zee-zee-zoo-zee.”  It migrates through Sharon in May. I got these photos standing underneath a flowering crabapple tree. The blossoms attracted insects, which in turn attracted insectivorous warblers. More Information: All About Birds

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/13/15 Observation Time: 9:35 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: American Goldfinch Scientific Name: Spinus tristis Comments: One of Sharon’s most striking – and most common – songbirds. Goldfinches are frequent visitors to bird feeders. More Information: Audubon Guide to N. American Birds

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/6/15 Observation Time: 3:41 p.m. Observation Location: soccer field parking lot near Gavins Pond Common Name: Savannah Sparrow Scientific Name: Passerculus sandwichensis Comments: Savannah sparrows are often seen in flocks feeding on the ground. More Information: All About Birds http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Savannah_Sparrow/sounds  

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: 5/6/15 Observation Time: 3:30 p.m. Observation Location: field near Gavins Pond Common Name: Eastern Towhee Scientific Name: Pipilo erythrophthalmus Comments: The Eastern Towhee is our largest sparrow. Its song can be remembered easily because it sounds like it is singing, “Drink your tea.” More Information: All About Birds     

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/6/15 Observation Time: 3:25 p.m. Observation Location: field near Gavins Pond Common Name: Prairie Warbler Scientific Name: Setophaga discolor Comments: This striking yellow and black warbler has a high-pitched trill that ascends. It can be seen in open fields and under power lines all summer in Sharon. More Information: All About Birds