Category: Animal

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 3/9/14 Observation Time: 2:40 p.m. Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Red-shouldered hawk Scientific Name: Buteo lineatus Comments: As I sat at my desk talking on the phone, this hawk swooped in and landed on a branch outside my window. I grabbed my camera with my free hand and snapped this shot. I got help with the identification from my […]

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 3/8/14 Observation Time: 11:10 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Red-bellied Woodpecker Scientific Name: Melanerpes carolinus Comments: Red-bellied woodpeckers are often victims of European starlings. As many as half of all red-bellied woodpecker nests in some areas get invaded by starlings. More Information: Cornell Lab of Ornithology “All About Birds”

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 3/8/14 Observation Time: 11:00 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: White-breasted nuthatch Scientific Name: Sitta carolinensis Comments: This white-breasted nuthatch was attracted to the suet feeder at Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary headquarters. More Information: All About Birds: White-breasted Nuthatch

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 3/8/14 Observation Time: 10:55 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Dark-eyed Junco Scientific Name: Junco hyemalis Comments: Juncos are winter birds in Sharon. More Information: Cornell Lab of Ornithology “All About Birds” Previous, Subsequent, or Similar Sightings: Dark-eyed Junco, 1/1/09 Dark-eyed Junco, 5/4/11

Observer: Josh Simons Observation Date: 2/16/14 Observation Time: 9:00 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill area Common Name: Downy Woodpecker Scientific Name: Dendrocopos pubescens Comments: Dendrocopos means “tree dagger” and “pubescens” refers to its downy hairs of puberty compared to those of the Hairy woodpecker, D. villosus.[The Dictionary of American Bird Names by Ernest A. Choate] More Information: All About Birds

Observer: Josh Simons Observation Date: 2/10/14 Observation Time: 5:00 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill area Common Name: Song Sparrow Scientific Name: Melospiza melodia Comments: Melos meaning “song”, “spiza” meaning “a finch” and “melodia” meaning “a pleasant sound”. “Sparrow” comes from the Anglo-Saxon “spearwa” or “sparrow”, literally “flutterer”. [The Dictionary of American Bird Names by Ernest A. Choate] More Information: Cornell Lab of Ornithology “All About Birds”

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 11/19/13 Observation Time: 2:35 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Common Name: Bufflehead Scientific Name: Bucephala albeola Comments: Buffleheads are small, diving ducks. They nest in old woodpecker holes, particularly those made by Northern Flickers, in the forests of northern North America. More Information: All About Birds  

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 8/14/13 Observation Time: 7:00 a.m. Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Red-tailed Hawk (juvenile) Scientific Name: Buteo jamaicensis Comments: Red-tails are big, but they only weigh a maximum of about 3 lbs. They can live up to 30 years. They feed predominantly on small mammals. I took these photos out the kitchen window. More Information: PBase

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/13/13 Observation Time: noon Observation Location: Gavins Pond soccer fields Common Name: House Finch (female) 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