Category: Animal

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 […]

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/13/13 Observation Time: 6:15 p.m. Observation Location: Field near Gavins Pond Dam Common Name: American Kestrel Scientific Name: Falco sparverius Comments: I was puzzled that five of the six bluebird houses that I checked were empty in mid-April when nesting should have been in full-swing. Then I saw a kestrel (a.k.a sparrow hawk) in a tree by the field. You can tell it’s […]

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/18/11 Observation Time: 11:25 a.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Common Name: Dark-eyed Junco Scientific Name: Junco hyemalis Comments: Juncos are a type of sparrow commonly seen around Sharon in winter. This individual will soon be heading north for summer. More Information: Cornell Lab of Ornithology “All About Birds”

Observer: Josh Simons Observation Date: 1/1/09 Observation Time: 2:00 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Parkway Common Name: Dark-eyed Junco Scientific Name: Junco hyemalis Comments: This and the titmouse and wren photos were all taken with a Canon 50D and a Canon 500mm f4 lens from the comfort of my kitchen on Moose Hill Parkway. We have feeders that attract lots of birds who land on a nearby […]

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/17/13 Observation Time: 4:30 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond area Common Name: House Finch Scientific Name: Setophaga discolor Comments: Male house finches have reddish coloration on their head and breast. Females are brown. Both have a heavy, conical beak for cracking seeds open. More Information: All About Birds

Observer: Josh Simons Observation Date: 11/20/07 Observation Time: 9:00 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Parkway Common Name: Sharp-Shinned Hawk Scientific Name: Accipiter striatus Comments: Male is much smaller than the female. The female is about the size and appearance of a Cooper’s hawk. This web page is helpful for distinguishing between these two species of hawks: https://feederwatch.org/learn/tricky-bird-ids/coopers-hawk-and-sharp-shinned-hawk/ More Information: Cornell Lab of Ornithology “All About Birds”