Sightings – Page 15 – Sharon Friends of Conservation

House Finch – 4/25/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/25/23 Observation Time: 1:15 pm Observation Location: Gavins Pond Rd (my back yard) 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

Tree Swallow – 4/25/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/25/23 Observation Time: 8:51 am Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Tree Swallow Scientific Name: Tachycineta bicolor Comments: Tree swallows compete with bluebirds for nesting boxes. More Information: All About Birds

Red-backed Salamander – 4/25/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/25/23 Observation TIme: 8:43 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Red-backed Salamander Scientific Name: Plethodon cinereus Comments: Red-backed salamanders can be found by turning over rotting logs in the woods. More Information: Wikipedia

Pine Warbler – 4/25/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/25/23 Observation Time: 8:30 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Pine Warbler Scientific Name: Setophaga pinus Comments: Pine warblers are typically found in pine groves. Many warbler species migrate through Sharon in May on their way to nesting areas farther north, but pine warblers nest here in Sharon, and can be found here all summer. Although they typically […]

Virginia saxifrage – 4/25/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/25/23 Observation Time: 8:15 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary (bluff overlook) Common Name: Virginia saxifrage Scientific Name: Micranthes virginiensis Comments: The characteristic features of saxifrage are consistent with its alpine provenance and consequent tenacity. A rosette of basal toothed leaves huddle on a rocky substrate to hold fast in the boreal winds that prevail in typical mountain habitats. […]

Palm warbler – 4/25/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/3/20 Observation Time: 6:51 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary (Billings Loop) Common Name: Palm Warbler Scientific Name: Setophaga palmarum Comments: Palm warblers pass through Sharon in late April and early May on their northward migration. They sometimes mingle with other species of warblers. You can monitor the bird migration in spring by keeping an eye on the live […]

Narrow-leaved Spring Beauty – 4/13/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/13/23 Observation Time: 9:00 a.m. Observation Location: Sharon Common Name: Narrow-leaved Spring Beauty Scientific Name: Claytonia virginica Comments: Its scientific name honors Colonial Virginia botanist John Clayton (1694–1773). Spring Beauty is an endangered species in Massachusetts. Please do not dig up any wildflowers you may find in Sharon. Please leave them for everyone to enjoy! More Information: Massachusetts Natural Heritage and […]

Short-tailed Weasel – 3/12/23

Observer: Michael Bissanti Observation Date: 3/12/23 Observation Time: morning Observation Location: Moose Hill St. Common Name: Short-tailed wWeasel 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 […]

Bald Eagle – 1/4/23

Observer: Deborah Radovsky Observation Date: 1/4/23 Observation Time: 3:15 Observation Location: Massapoag Ave, near Massapoag Lane, in a tree on edge of lake Common Name: Bald Eagle Scientific Name: Haliaeetus leucocephalus Comments: This is a juvenile, between 3-4 years of age. Bald eagles can live a long time. The oldest recorded bird in the wild was at least 38 years old when it was hit and killed […]

Northern Saw-whet Owl – 10/16/22

Observer: Vin Zollo Observation Date: 10/16/22 Observation Time: nighttime Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Center Common Name: Northern Saw-whet Owl Scientific Name: Aegolius acadicus Comments: This bird was captured as part of a banding program to learn more about this common owl, which is seldom seen because it is nocturnal. More Information: All About Birds

Snapping Turtle – 9/4/22

Observer: Thomas Belli Observation Date: 9/4/22 Observation Time: 1:30 pm Observation Location: Pud’s Pond (Borerland State Park) Common Name: Snapping Turtle Scientific Name: Chelydra serpentina Comments: It was huge! Temperature during incubation influences the sex of the hatchlings. See: https://www.jstor.org/stable/1563778?seq=1 More Information: Tufts Wildlife Clinic and Mass Audubon’s guide to turtle species

Luna Moth (caterpillar) – 8/20/22

Observer: Josh Simons Observation Date: 8/20/22 Observation Time: 10:15 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill area Common Name: Luna Moth (caterpillar) Scientific Name: Actias luna Comments: This luna moth caterpillar was crossing the street, so I moved it to safety. WIth a wing span of up to four inches, bright green luna moths are one of the most spectacular moths in our area. Adults are very […]

Black Bear – 7/30/22

Observer: Emily Smith-Lee Observation Date: 7/30/22 Observation Time: 3:00 pm Observation Location: 33 Moose Hill Parkway Common Name: American Black Bear Scientific Name: Ursus Americanus Comments: He came out of the woods behind our house (town owned conservation land between Moose Hill Parkway and Upland Road) and walked across our back yard before going back into the woods where our yard meets a little creek. According to […]

Striped Skunk – 6/30/22

Observer: Michael Bissanti Observation Date: 6/30/22 Observation Time: morning Observation Location: Moose Hill St. Common Name: Striped Skunk Scientific Name: Mephitis mephitis Comments: The little skunks in the attached video were a riot! Not shy at all, they would wander right onto our patio and didn’t seem to be bothered by our being there. I did some research and learned young skunks don’t spray, so […]

Painted Skimmer Dragonfly – 6/21/22

Observer: Josh Simons Observation Date: 6/21/22 Observation Time: 11:50 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill area Common Name: Painted Skimmer dragonfly Scientific Name: Libellula semifasciata Comments: Painted Skimmers live up to their name, and the wings especially glow with color. A rich brown, the thorax has two whitish to yellow diagonal stripes on each side. The abdomen has yellow edges and a jagged black central stripe on the […]

Bald Eagle – 6/14/22

Observer: Deborah Radovsky Observation Date: 6/14/22 Observation Time: morning Observation Location: In tree along edge of lake, Massapoag Ave near Potter Avenue Common Name: Bald Eagle Scientific Name: Haliaeetus leucocephalus Comments: Bald eagles can live a long time. The oldest recorded bird in the wild was at least 38 years old when it was hit and killed by a car in New York in 2015. It […]

Yellow-throated Vireo – 6/4/22

Observer: Deborah Radovsky Observation Date: 6/4/22 Observation Time: 7:30 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Sanctuary, in tree on edge of meadow, near Billings Barn. Common Name: Yellow-throated vireo Scientific Name: Vireo flavifrons Comments: Not only does this bird have a bright yellow throat, it looks as if it’s wearing bright yellow spectacles. While the Yellow-throated Vireo is associated with forest edge habitat, it actually requires […]

Early Tachinid Fly – 6/2/22

Observer: Josh Simons Observation Date: 6/2/22 Observation Time: 3:00 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Early Tachinid Fly Scientific Name: Epalpus signifer Comments: This specimen was identified with the Seek iOS app. More Information: Wikipedia and Missoula Butterfly House and Insectarium

Dimorphic Jumping Spider – 6/12/22

Observer: Josh Simons Observation Date: 6/12/22 Observation Time: 3:00 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill area Common Name: Dimorphic Jumping Spider Scientific Name: Maevia inclemens Comments: Identified by Seek iOS app. More Information: Wikipedia

Eastern Wood-Pewee – 5/29/22

Observer: Deb Radovsky Observation Date: 5/29/22 Observation Time: early morning Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary near Billings barn Common Name: Eastern Wood-Pewee Scientific Name: Contopus virens Comments: The unmistakable song of the wood-pewee (“pee-a-wee”) sounds like its name. It’s a member of the flycatcher family that is typically found in or near forested areas. You can find and play bird songs online. The […]

Japanese Quail – 5/26/22

Observer: Levi McGowan & Ilan Fisher Observation Date: 5/26/22 Observation Time: 5:00 p.m. Observation Location: Beach & Harding Common Name: Japanese Quail Scientific Name: Cotumix japonica Comments: Check out this Youtube video to see the quail and hear its call: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZ3y08Iub_k The call could be a distress call. Perhaps mom is looking for her chicks, or perhaps this is a juvenile looking for its mom. Or perhaps […]

Scarlet Tanager – 5/24/22

Observer: Marshall Katler Observation Date: 5/24/22 Observation Time: 10:15 a.m. Observation Location: King Phillip Rock where Lakeview Field Trail and Horizon’s path diverge Common Name: Scarlet Tanager Scientific Name: Piranga olivacea Comments: Scarlet tanagers are common in Sharon, but seldom seen. Their woodland habitat obscures them in the leaves. I identified this one by hearing its song. To hear what they sound like, click HERE. To find them, […]

Barred Owl – 5/24/22

Observer: Marshall Katler Observation Date: 5/24/22 Observation Time: 9:00 a.m. Observation Location: King Phillip Trail near King Phillip Rd. Common Name: Barred Owl Scientific Name: Strix varia Comments: At least 2 barred owls were calling, possibly 3. They were identified by the call since they were quite far from the trail. More Information: All About Birds

Tiger Swallowtail – 5/20/22

Observer: Richard Mandell Observation Date: 5/20/22 Observation Time: 11:55 a.m. Observation Location: Mountain Street Common Name: Tiger Swallowtail butterfly Scientific Name: Papilio glaucus Comments: This gorgeous butterfly discovered the sugar water in my hummingbird feeder. More Information: Butterflies and Moths of North America

Great Blue Heron – 5/13/22

Observer: Tamara Fisher Observation Date: 5/13/22 Observation Time: 8:30 a.m. Observation Location: Mann’s Pond Common Name: Great Blue Heron Scientific Name: Ardea herodias Comments: Adult great blue herons weigh about 5 lbs. They weigh more than great horned owls, which weigh about 3 lbs., but they are not the largest bird found in Sharon. Bald eagles can reach 14 lbs. Great blue herons make large nests in tall […]

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