Category: Animal

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/13/14 Observation Time: 1:45 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Magnolia warbler Scientific Name: Setophaga magnolia Comments: Magnolia warblers are striking birds, but they are hard to photograph because these nervous little birds move constantly. More Information: All About Birds

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/13/14 Observation Time: 1:40 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Yellow-rumped Warbler Scientific Name: Setophaga coronata Comments: Colorful woodland warblers such as this yellow-rumped warbler are often observed at Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary in the early morning in May as they migrate through Sharon to breeding grounds farther north. More Information: All About Birds

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/13/16 Observation Time: 9:35 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Red-bellied Woodpecker Scientific Name: Melanerpes carolinus Comments: Primarily a bird of the southeast, where its rolling calls are familiar sounds in swamps and riverside woods. Omnivorous and adaptable, this woodpecker has also adjusted to life in suburbs and city parks, and in recent years it has been […]

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/8/14 Observation Time: 7:10 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Tree swallow Scientific Name: Tachycineta bicolor Comments: Tree swallows compete with bluebirds for nesting boxes. However, if nesting boxes are sited in pairs, a tree swallow will occupy one box and drive away other tree swallows from the other box. That will allow bluebirds to nest there. More Information: […]

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/8/14 Observation Time: 7:00 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Northern Cardinal Scientific Name: Cardinalis cardinalis Comments: One of the most common birds in Sharon, cardinals have a whistle-like voice, and sing strongly. Learn to recognize their various vocalizations at: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/northern_cardinal/sound Cardinals typically travel in pairs. The female is mostly tan. More Information: All About Birds

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: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 3/1/14 Observation Time: 10:30 a.m. Observation Location: Ward’s Berry Farm Common Name: Horned Lark Scientific Name: Eremophila alpestris Comments: In winter, horned larks can be found scavenging for seeds in Ward’s Berry Farm fields bounded by Wolomolopoag St. and South Main Street. Hopefully someone will submit a better photo than this one in the future. More Information: All About Birds

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