Category: Animal

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 10/11/09 Observation Time: 4:20 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Common Name: Northern Shoveler duck Scientific Name: Anas clypeata Comments: This duck gets its name from its large bill. More Information: All About Birds.org

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 1/20/10 Observation Time: 3:55 p.m. Observation Location: on the ice at Knifeshop Pond, Ames Street Common Name: Muscovy Duck Scientific Name: Cairina moschata Comments: The Muscovy Duck is a large duck native to Mexico and Central and South America. A small wild population reaches into the United States in the lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas. There also are feral breeding […]

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 9/28/14 Observation Time: 4:50 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Common Name: Wood Duck Scientific Name: Aix sponsa Comments: Wood ducks are often seen in Gavins Pond in the fall. They are quite shy, so getting close enough to get a good photo of these spectacular ducks is a challenge. Note that the female has drab plummage compared to the gaudy drake. More […]

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/2/11 Observation Time: 4:50 p.m. Observation Location: near Gavins Pond Common Name: Northern mockingbird Scientific Name: Mimus polyglottos Comments: As both the common name and the scientific name suggest, the northern mockingbird mimics other birds and other sounds in its environment. If you are familiar with bird songs, you can sometimes get clues about what other bird species might be around by listening to […]

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/6/10 Observation Time: 4:15 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Common Name: Northern mockingbird Scientific Name: Mimus polyglottos Comments: Mockingbirds repeat whatever they are mocking 3 or 4 times. That differentiates them from the other two mimics found in Sharon, brown thrashers (that repeat twice), and catbirds (that repeat only once). More Information: All About Birds

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 1/20/10 Observation Time: 3:55 p.m. Observation Location: Knifeshop Pond, Ames Street Common Name: Mallard Scientific Name: Anas platyrhynchos Comments: The Mallard is a rare example of both Allen’s Rule and Bergmann’s Rule in birds. Bergmann’s Rule, which states that polar forms tend to be larger than related ones from warmer climates, has numerous examples in birds. Allen’s Rule says that […]

Observer: Liam Waters Observation Date: 5/13/14 Observation Time: 6:50 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Lincoln’s sparrow Scientific Name: Melospiza lincolnii Comments: This unusual sparrow was spotted on a morning walk at Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary. These walks take place at 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday and Thursday mornings in May. Dawn walks at Moose Hill are memorable experiences due to the diversity of […]