Sightings – Sharon Friends of Conservation

Red-tailed Hawk – 11/9/24

Observer: Bruce Lewis Observation Date: 11/9/24 Observation Time: 4:00 pm Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary, Billings Loop Common Name: Red-tailed Hawk Scientific Name: Buteo jamaicensis Comments: Check out this video I took of a Red Tailed Hawk eating its prey on Moose Hill. A rare sight. The hawk was only interested in its meal and was unperturbed by my being near it. More Information: […]

Eastern Bluebird – 11/1/24

Observer: Barry Dulong Observation Date: 11/1/24 Observation Time: 3:30 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary – large field near barn Common Name: Eastern Bluebird Scientific Name: Sialia sialis Comments: I am only reporting the sighting because it is November 1st and thought it was very late in the season to see Bluebirds. I had not seen them since mid August…..but yesterday I saw 3 […]

Isabella Tiger Moth (caterpillar) – 10/10/24

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 10/10/24 Observation Time: 1:00 p.m. Observation Location: near Ward’s Berry Farm Common Name: Isabella Tiger Moth caterpillar (a.k.a. banded wooly bear) Scientific Name: Pyrrharctia isabella Comments: Isabella tiger moths overwinter as caterpillars before pupating in spring and subsequently emerging as adult moths. The caterpillars are somewhat tolerant to short-term freezing periods in which the entire caterpillar is frozen and then […]

Black Bear – 10/5/24

Observer: Emma Smith Observation Date: 10/5/24 Observation Time: night Observation Location: Off Wolomolopoag near Chase Dr. & E. Foxboro St. Common Name: American Black Bear Scientific Name: Ursus Americanus Comments: Multiple black bear sightings have been reported in Sharon over the past few years. It could be the same individual. Black bears are not normally aggressive unless their cubs are threatened, but they can run considerably […]

Black Bear – 10/3/24

Observer: Leonid Fofanov Observation Date: 10/3/24 Observation Time: night Observation Location: Agawam Rd. near Chase Dr. Common Name: American Black Bear Scientific Name: Ursus Americanus Comments: Multiple black bear sightings have been reported in Sharon over the past few years. It could be the same individual. Black bears are not normally aggressive unless their cubs are threatened, but they can run considerably faster than an Olympic […]

Primrose-leaf Violet – 10/2/24

Observer: Josh Simons Observation Date: 10/2/24 Observation Time: 11:00 a.m. Observation Location: Rattlesnake Hill trail Common Name: Primrose-leaf Violet Scientific Name: Viola primulifolia Comments: When the plant’s seed capsule is fully ripe, it splits into three parts and ejects the seed with explosive force. More information: Picture This

Pink-Spotted Lady Beetle – 9/28/24

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 9/29/24 Observation Time: 4:00 p.m. Observation Location: Ward’s Berry Farm Common Name: Pink-Spotted Lady Beetle Scientific Name: Coleomegilla maculata Comments: The pink-spotted lady beetle feeds on the eggs of several moths that eat corn crops, so perhaps it was no coincidence that I enountered this one near a corn field at Ward’s Berry Farm. The pink-spotted lady beetle can eat around […]

Marbled Orbweaver Spider – 9/28/24

Observer: John Baur Observation Date: 9/28/24 Observation Time: 3:00 p.m. Observation Location: Borderland State Park Common Name: Marbled Orbweaver Spider Scientific Name: Araneus marmoreus var. marmoreus Comments: Brightly colored marbled orbweaver spiderwebs are found in trees, shrubs and tall weeds, and grasses in moist, wooded settings and can frequently be found along the banks of streams. The webs are oriented vertically and have a “signal” […]

Timber Rattlesnake – 9/28/24

Observer: Elizabeth James Observation Date: 9/28/24 Observation Time: afternoon Observation Location: Bishop Road Common Name: Timber Rattlesnake Scientific Name: Crotalus horridus Comments: These mild-mannered, venomous, and very rare snakes are listed as endangered in Massachusetts. Please help protect them by maintaining a safe distance. That should not be hard to do, given that rattlesnakes give fair warning before they strike. This one was gently removed […]

Marbled Orbweaver Spider – 9/24/24

Observer: Josh Simons Observation Date: 9/24/24 Observation Time: 7:00 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill area Common Name: Marbled Orbweaver Spider Scientific Name: Araneus marmoreus var. marmoreus Comments: Brightly colored marbled orbweaver spiderwebs are found in trees, shrubs and tall weeds, and grasses in moist, wooded settings and can frequently be found along the banks of streams. The webs are oriented vertically and have a “signal” […]

Belted Kingfisher – 9/23/24

Observer: Lauren Kilmer Observation Date: 9/23/24 Observation Time: 2:03 p.m. Observation Location: Borderland State Park (Morse Loop Cedar Swamp) Common Name: Belted Kingfisher Scientific Name: Megaceryle alcyon Comments: First heard the bird calls, confirmed it with Merlin Bird app, then saw two kingfishers flying low on the southeast portion of the swamp. More Information: All About Birds

Hairy Mountain Mint – 9/23/24

Observer: Jean Zaniewski Observation Date: 9/23/24 Observation Time: 12:15 p.m. Observation Location: Nstar high tension line property near Old Post Rd Common Name: Hairy Mountain Mint Scientific Name: Pycnanthemum verticillatum var. pilosum Comments: This plant grows to 3 feet tall 3 feet wide. I was attracted to this wildflower as I walked because it is taller, more robust; and a later, more prolific flower producer […]

Chocolate Tube Slime Mold – 9/13/24

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 9/13/24 Observation Time: 1:40 p.m. Observation Location: Borderland State Park Common Name: Chocolate Tube Slime Mold Scientific Name: Stemonitis splendens Comments: Slime molds are neither plants nor animals. They are members of the phylum Amoebozoa, and are related to amoeba. Slime molds are aggregates of single-celled organisms. Some kinds of slime molds can grow up to 9 feet long! Slime molds […]

Black-staining Polypore – 8/10/24

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 8/10/24 Observation Time: 3:20 p.m. Observation Location: beside Wolomolopoag St. Common Name: Black-staining Polypore Scientific Name: Meripilus sumstinei Comments: These two large fungi were growing by a large stump. One of them was beginning to turn black. More Information: Maryland Biodiversity

Short-tailed Weasel – 7/21/24

Observer: Faith Berkland Observation Date: 7/21/24 Observation Time: N/A Observation Location: 302 Mansfield St. Common Name: Short-tailed Weasel Scientific Name: Mustela erminea Comments: White undersides (as opposed to cream-colored), white feet, and small size differentiate short-tailed weasels from long-tailed weasels. Mink are all brown. Short-tailed weasels are also known as a stoats. In winter, they turn all white with a black-tipped tail, and are called […]

Polyphemus Moth – 7/20/24

Observer: Josh Simons Observation Date: 7/20/24 Observation Time: 2:00 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Common Name: Polyphemus Moth Scientific Name: Antheraea polyphemus Comments: The polyphemus moth is a North American member of the family Saturnidae, the giant silk moths. More Information: Wikipedia

Barred Owl – 7/6/24

Observer: Bruce Lewis Observation Date: 7/6/24 Observation Time: 5:00 p.m. Observation Location: Top of the bend on Moose Hill Street Common Name: Barred Owl Scientific Name: Strix varia Comments: This is the first owl I’ve seen in three years. More Information: All About Birds

Yellow-billed Cuckoo – 7/2/14

Observer: Bruce Lewis Observation Date: 7/2/24 Observation Time: 5:00 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Yellow-billed Cuckoo Scientific Name: Coccyzus americanus Comments: I heard the yellow-billed cuckoo as I was standing at the beginning of the Billings path but the bird was deep in the woods. I recorded its song with my cell phone and then I edited the recording by […]

American Beech Tree (diseased) – 6/27/24

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/27/24 Observation Time: 6:30 p.m. Observation Location: Massapoag Brook trail between Ames St. and Mann’s Pond Common Name: American Beech Tree Scientific Name: Fagus grandifolia Comments: This beech tree is infected with Beech Leaf Disease (BLD). The disease kills and causes dieback of American beech trees. Since its discovery, BLD has been detected in 13 states, including Ohio, Connecticut, Delaware, […]

Pale Green Weevil – 6/23/24

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/23/24 Observation Time: 1:20 p.m. Observation Location: Borderland State park Common Name: Pale Green Weevil Scientific Name: Polydrusus impressifrons Comments: This brilliant metallic-green broad-nosed weevil joined us at a picnic table at Borderland State Park. Weevils are a type of beetle whose mouths are adapted to sucking juices from leaves and other plant parts. More Information: University of Minnesota

Golden Jumping Spider – 6/23/24

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/23/24 Observation Time: 1:20 p.m. Observation Location: Borderland State Park Common Name: Golden Jumping Spider Scientific Name: Paraphidippus aurantius Comments: This strikingly marked jumping spider joined us at a picnic table at Borderland State Park. More Information: iNaturalist

Ringneck Snake – 6/11/24

Observer: Anna Baur Observation Date: 6/11/24 Observation Time: 4:00 pm Observation Location: Old Wolomolopoag Street Common Name: Ringneck Snake Scientific Name: Diadophis punctatus Comments: Ringneck snakes prefer moist woodlands as their habitat. This is also habitat for an important prey item, redback salamanders. Although salamanders make up the bulk of their diet, ringnecks will also feed on earthworms, insects and, on occasion, fish. As relatively […]

American Carrion Beetle – 6/4/24

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/4/24 Observation Time: 12:40 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (T.T.O.R.) Common Name: American Carrion Beetle Scientific Name: Necrophilia americana Comments: From spring through fall, during daylight, a few hours after flies begin arriving at a carcass, the adult beetles will arrive as well. They immediately begin eating the already hatching fly larvae, mating, and laying their own eggs. As long as […]

Brown Creeper – 6/9/24

Observer: Barry Dulong Observation Date: 6/9/24 Observation Time: 5:30 p.m. Observation Location: Forest Trail, Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Brown Creeper Scientific Name: Certhia americana Comments: I was approximately 1/3rd down trail when I heard call. I was not familiar with call so I opened Merlin. It identified the call as a Brown Creeper. I looked for 10 minutes until I saw it. Very […]

Morbid Owlet Moth – 6/4/24

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/4/24 Observation Time: 12:15 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Morbid Owlet Moth Scientific Name: Chytolita morbidalis Comments: The morbid owlet moth is found in large parts of North America The larvae feed on the leaves of various deciduous trees. As you can see from the photo, the adult moth blends in with the leaf litter on […]

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