Sightings – Page 13 – Sharon Friends of Conservation

Bobcat tracks – 2/26/22

Observer: Richard Kramer Observation Date: 2/26/22 Observation Time: 3:00 pm Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon WIldlife Sanctuary Common Name: Bobcat Scientific Name: Lynx rufus Comments: Here’s a link to compare cougar, coyote and bobcat tracks: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79135_79218_79619_84911-146656–,00.html More Information: Wikipedia

Yellow Spotted Salamander – 2/17/22

Observer: Faith Berkland Observation Date: 2/17/22 Observation Time: 4:20 p.m. Observation Location: 359 Mansfield Street, Sharon Common Name: Yellow Spotted Salamander Scientific Name: Ambystoma maculatum Comments: Although it’s generally best not to handle amphibians, it was on the street so I picked it up and put it under some leaves across the street before a car came. Unfortunately I did not get a photo. Salamanders typically do not emerge until “Big Night” […]

Eastern Bluebird – 2/14/22

Observer: Steven Woolner Observation Date: 2/14/22 Observation Time: 2:00 p.m. Observation Location: Osprey Road Common Name: Eastern Bluebird Scientific Name: Sialia sialis Comments: Delighted to see Bluebirds at my feeder for the first time in 25+ years! I use Lyric Waste Free feed. They have also been visiting my birdbath 20 feet away, which luckily had water instead of ice, due to the recent warm spell. […]

Fisher – 1/23/22

Observer: Deborah Gilden Observation Date: 1/23/22 Observation Time: 8:00 a.m. Observation Location: Manns Pond & Billings St. Common Name: Fisher Scientific Name: Pekania pennanti Comments: Fishers are sometimes referred to as fisher cats, but they do not fish and they are not cats. They are the second largest member of the weasel family in Massachusetts. Among members of the weasel family found in Massachusetts, only otters grow larger. […]

Peregrine Falcon – 12/11/21

Observer: Colin Barbera Observation Date: 12/11/21 Observation Time: afternoon Observation Location: Tolman St. Common Name: Peregrine falcon Scientific Name: Falco peregrinus Comments: “Powerful and fast-flying, the Peregrine Falcon hunts medium-sized birds, dropping down on them from high above in a spectacular stoop. They were virtually eradicated from eastern North America by pesticide poisoning in the middle 20th century. After significant recovery efforts, Peregrine Falcons have made […]

Red Fox – 11/30/21

Observer: Deborah Radovsky Observation Date: 11/30/21 Observation time: 3:45 a.m. Observation Location: Rock Ridge Cemetery Common Name: Red fox Scientific Name: Vulpes vulpes Comments: Red foxes and gray foxes have both been sighted in Sharon. They are only distant cousins, belonging to different genera in the family Canidae. Gray foxes can climb trees but red foxes cannot. More Information: National Wildlife Federation

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug – 11/11/21

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 11/11/21 Observation Time: 2:10 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Rd. (my back yard) Common Name: Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (adult) Scientific Name: Halyomorpha Halys Comments: Stink bugs molt several times before reaching maturity. Each phase is referred to as an instar. More Information: Featured Creatures

Bear’s Head Tooth Fungus – 10/6/21

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 10/6/21 Observation Time: 3:00 p.m. Observation Location: Near the footbridge over Beaver Brook near the outbound train station Common Name: Bear’s Head Tooth Fungus (a.k.a. Lion’s Mane or Comb Tooth) Scientific Name: Hericium americanum Comments: While driving very slowly along the dirt road from the outbound train station parking lot to the footbridge over Beaver Brook, I almost drove past this […]

Flying Squirrel – 9/7/21

Observer: Richard Kramer Observation Date: 9/17/21 Observation Time: 10:00 p.m. Observation Location: Beach St. Common Name: Northern flying squirrel Scientific Name: Glaucomys sabrinus Comments: Both northern and southern flying squirrels are found in Massachusetts. Northern flying squirrels are larger than southern flying squirrels. Note the long tails in the photo. Flying squirrels don’t actually fly like a bird. They glide. Long tails help flying squirrels steer themselves when […]

White Perch – 8/16/21

Observer: Steven D’Addieco Observation Date: 8/15/21 Observation Time: 8:30 p.m. Observation Location: Lake Massapoag Common Name: White Perch Scientific Name: Morone Americana Comments: There are lots of white perch in Lake Massapoag. White perch are good to eat. White perch are not a true perch but, rather, belong to the bass family, Moronidae. More Information: Wikipedia

Spotted Lanternfly – 8/7/21

Observer: John Baur Observation Date: 8/7/21 Observation Time: 10:09 p.m. Observation Location: Old Wolomolopoag Street Common Name: Spotted Lanternfly Scientific Name: Lycorma delicatula Comments: I photographed a Spotted Lanternfly at my garage. I submitted it to iNaturalist. You can see the photo here:https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/90398980. I also reported this invasive pest species to the state. The Spotted Lanternflyis native to China and was first detected in Pennsylvania […]

Wild Turkey – 7/14/21

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/14/21 Observation Time: 2:45 p.m. Observation Location: my back yard (4 Gavins Pond Rd.) Common Name: Wild Turkey Scientific Name: Meleagris gallopavo Comments: I photographed this hen and her chicks out my bedroom window. More Information: All About Birds

Grapevine Beetle – 7/10/21

Observer: Josh Simons Observation Date: 7/10/21 Observation Time: 12:00 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill area Common Name: Grapevine Beetle (a.k.a Spotted June Beetle) Scientific Name: Pelidnota punctata Comments: This is a large and beautiful beetle in the Scarab family. Its dark legs indicate this is a northern variety of this beetle. More Information: Wikipedia 12

House wren – 7/6/21

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7-6-21 Observation Time: 12:50 p.m. Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Rd. Common Name: House Wren Scientific Name: Troglodytes aedon Comments: House wrens often fill bluebird nesting boxes chock full of twigs, presumably to prevent other birds from nesting in their territory. This year a pair of house wrens raised their chicks in a bird house we placed on the back deck. We watched […]

Common Green Bottle Fly – 7/5/21

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/5/21 Observation Time: 2:20 p.m. Observation Location: Maskwonicut St. (on the bridge over Beaver Brook) Common Name: Common Green Bottle Fly Scientific Name: Lucilia sericata Comments: The common green bottle fly (Lucilia sericata) is a blowfly found in most areas of the world and is the most well-known of the numerous green bottle fly species. Its body is slightly larger than a […]

Mexican Grass Carrying Wasp – 7/5/21

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/5/21 Observation Time: 2:15 p.m. Observation Location: Maskwonicut St. (on the bridge over Beaver Brook) Common Name: Mexican Grass-carrying Wasp Scientific Name: Isodontia mexicana Comments: Isodontia mexicana is mainly found throughout North America, but has become established in Europe, primarily France, Switzerland, Hungary, Italy, Serbia, and Spain. These wasps build their nests in hollowed branches or in other natural cavities, often […]

Grapeleaf Skeletonizer Moth – 7/5/21

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/5/21 Observation Time: 2:10 p.m. Observation Location: Maskwonicut St. bridge over Beaver Brook Common Name: Grapeleaf skeletonizer moth Scientific Name: Harrisina americana Comments: Grapevine skeletonizer moth larvae feed on grape leaves (hence the name) and Virginia creeper leaves. Adults live only a few days. Note the feathery antennae, which are characteristic of moths. More Information: Wikipedia

Great Golden Digger Wasp – 7/5/21

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/5/21 Observation Time: 2:10 p.m. Observation Location: Maskwonicut St. (on the bridge over Beaver Brook) Common Name: Great Golden Digger Wasp Scientific Name: Sphex ichnumoneus Comments: Sphex ichnumoneus is a species of solitary wasp, commonly known as the Great Golden Digger Wasp. This large and colorful wasp can frequently be found nectaring at flowers in late summer and fall. It makes burrows in […]

Long-legged Fly – 7/5/21

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/5/21 Observation Time: 2:00 p.m. Observation Location: Maskwonicut St. near Beaver Brook Common Name: Long-legged fly Scientific Name: Condylostylus patibulatus Comments: Metallic green long-legged flies are typically found near water. I encountered this one hopping from leaf to leaf on vegetation growing on the bridge over Beaver Brook. Adult flies are predaceous on mites, aphids, booklice, thrips, flies, silverfish, small […]

Ruby-throated Hummingbird – 7/3/21

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/3/21 Observation Time: 2:00 p.m. Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Rd. Common Name: Ruby-throated Hummingbird Scientific Name: Archilochus colubris Comments: Ruby-throated hummingbirds are the only species of hummingbird commonly seen in New England. They overwinter in Costa Rica. When they migrate north in spring, they fly several hundred miles across the Gulf of Mexico. They arrive in Massachusetts in late April. […]

Tall Meadow Rue – 6/24/21

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/24/21 Observation Time: 3:55 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Tall Meadow Rue Scientific Name: Thalictrum pubescens Comments: Meadow rue flowers have no petals; the conspicuous part of the flower is the white filaments of the stamens. More Information: Connecticut Botanical Society

Amur Cork Tree – 6/24/21

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/24/21 Observation Time: 3:40 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Amur Cork Tree Scientific Name: Phellodendron amurense Comments: Phellodendron amurense is a perennial tree that can grow from 35-45 ft. (10-14 m) tall. The tree has a short trunk with spreading branches. The bark is thick and corky. This tree is demonstrating invasive characteristics in suburban and urban fringe forests. It escapes […]

Black Raspberry – 6/24/21

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/24/21 Observation Time: 3:10 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Black Raspberry Scientific Name: Rubus occidentalis Comments: The black raspberry is related to the red raspberry Rubus idaeus and Rubus strigosus, sharing the white underside of leaves, and fruit that readily detaches from the carpel. Black raspberry grows in disturbed areas and in meadows, often near streams and lakes, trails or […]

Monarch Butterfly – 6/24/21

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/24/21 Observation Time: 2:50 p.m. Observation Place: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Monarch Butterfly Scientific Name: Danaus plexippus Comments: Monarchs make an epic, multi-generational migration. Check it out at the link below. More Information: National Geographic

Spicebush Swallowtail – 6/24/21

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/24/21 Observation Time: 12:55 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon (Billings Loop near the barn) Common Name: Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly Scientific Name: Papilio troilus Comments: This spicebush swallowtail butterfly was observed feeding on milkweed flowers. Note that spicebush swallowtail butterflies are quite similar to black swallowtail butterflies. Spicebush swallowtails have a marking that looks like a comet among the row […]

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