Sightings – Page 18 – Sharon Friends of Conservation

Maple-leaf Viburnum – 6/9/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/9/20 Observation Time: 4:30 p.m. Observation Location: shady woods near Gavins Pond Common Name: Maple-leaf Viburnum Scientific Name: Viburnum acerifolium Comments: Maple-leaf viburnum has long been cultivated for its attractive summer flowers and foliage; then the autumn leaves turn rose-purple and contrast with the mature dark fruits. The plants will thrive in moist soils and a range of light conditions but they are a […]

Rattlesnake Root – 6/9/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/9/20 Observation Time: 4:05 p.m. Observation Location: trail near Brook Road Common Name: Three-leaved Rattlesnake Root Scientific Name: Nabalus trifoliolatus Comments: Three-leaved rattlesnake-root is found throughout New England. It has a trumpet-shaped white flower that blooms in late summer. More Information: GoBotany

Lilypad Forktail Damselfly 6-9-20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/9/20 Observation Time: 3:45 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond dam Common Name: Lilypad forktail damselfly Scientific Name: Ischnura kellicotti Comments: A southern species that appears to have increased in Massachusetts lately. This specimen is the red form of the female. There is also a blue form. Males are bright blue. More Information: Wisconsin Odonata Survey

Dusted Skipper Butterfly – 6/9/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/9/20 Observation Time: 3:20 p.m. Observation Location: meadow near Gavins Pond Common Name: Dusted Skipper Butterfly Scientific Name: Atrytonopsis hianna Comments: Note the proboscis extended to gather nectar. Also note the finely banded antennae. More Information: Wisconsin Butterflies

Frosted Elfin Butterfly – 6/9/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/9/20 Observation Time: 3:15 p.m. Observation Location: undisclosed location in Sharon Common Name: Frosted Elfin Butterfly Scientific Name: Callophrys irus Comments: Frosted elfins are listed as rare by the Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program (NHESP). More Information: Species Status Assessment Report

Common Ringlet Butterfly – 6/9/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/9/20 Observation Time: 3:00 p.m. Observation Location: meadow near Gavins Pond dam Common Name: Common Ringlet butterfly Scientific Name: Coenonympha tullia Comments: Ringlets can be found in a variety of grassy habitats, including roadsides, woodland edges and clearings, prairies, bogs, and arctic and alpine taiga and tundra. It is an erratic flyer. It is a holarctic species found in northern Europe […]

Blue Toadflax – 6/9/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/9/20 Observation Time: 2:50 p.m. Observation Location: meadow near Gavins Pond dam Common Name: Blue Toadflax Scientific Name: Nuttallanthus canadensis Comments: These diminutive wildflowers bloom from April to September. More Information: Conn. Botanical Society

Norway Maple Tree – 6/9/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/9/20 Observation Time: 2:40 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond dam Common Name: Norway Maple Tree Scientific Name: Acer Platanoides Comments: The Norway maple is native to eastern and central Europe and western Asia, from France east to Russia, north to southern Scandinavia and southeast to northern Iran. It was brought to North America in the mid-1700s as a shade tree. It is quite common […]

Gray Birch Tree – 6/9/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/9/20 Observation Time: 2:40 p.m. Observation Location: meadow near Gavins Pond dam Common Name: Gray Birch Tree Scientific Name: Betula populifolia Comments: Gray Birch is a small tree reaching a height of 20 to 30 feet. Bark is grayish white with little exfoliation compared to River Birch. Leaves are triangular with a narrow point, doubly serrated and fall color is light yellow. Branches […]

Bigtooth Aspen Tree – 6/9/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/9/20 Observation Time: 2:00 p.m. Observation Location: near soccer parking lot on Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Bigtooth Aspen Tree Scientific Name: Populus grandidentata Comments: Bigtooth Aspen (Populusgrandidentata) is a native deciduous tree, which grows throughout northeastern North America. It is a member of the willow family. A fast-growing, but short-lived, pioneer species, Bigtooth Aspen attains heights of 60 to 80 feet. More Information: […]

Spittlebug – 6/9/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/9/20 Observation Time: 1:50 p.m. Observation Location: beside soccer parking area on Gavins Pond Rd Common Name: Spittlebug Scientific Name: Philaenus spumarius Comments: Spittlebugs are known for the frothy spittle mass they produce while feeding on plants. More Information: University of Minnesota Extension

House Wren – 6/9/20

Observer: Josh Simons Observation Date: 6/9/20 Observation Time: 9:30 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill area 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. They have a harsh, jumbled scolding call. Learn it and you will find them around town. More Information: All About Birds

Harlequin Darner Dragonfly (male) – 6/9/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/9/20 Observation Time: 1:30 p.m. Observation Location: field near Gavins Pond dam Common Name: Harlequin Darner dragonfly (male) Scientific Name: Gomphaeschna furcillata Comments: The Harlequin Darner is a member of the Aeshnidae family of dragonflies. This species occurs across much of the eastern United States and parts of southeast Canada. Its range extends to eastern Texas. Harlequin darners resemble taper-tailed darners. The pale 7-shaped […]

Broad-leaved Speedwell – 6/7/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/7/20 Observation Time: 6:30 p.m. Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Road (my back yard) Common Name: Broad-leaved Speedwell Scientific Name: Veronica austriaca Comments: Broad-leaved speedwell, also know as large speedwell, Austrian speedwell, or saw-leaved speedwell, is a perennial, herbaceous plant that is native to Europe. It is cultivated and can escape the garden setting. More Information: Wikipedia and Flickr

Multiflora Rose – 6/7/20

Observer: Deborah Radovsky Observation Date: 6/7/20 Observation Time: 8:45 a.m. Observation Location: Quincy St. Common Name: Multiflora rose Scientific Name: Rosa multiflora Comments: Multiflora rose is a deciduous shrub with white flowers and red fruit. Brought here from Asia, it was planted as wildlife food, and also as a living fence, due to its dense growth and sharp thorns. It can grow to 10 feet high […]

Fisher – 6/4/20

Observer: Eric Zaniewski Observation Date: 6/4/20 Observation Time: 3:00 p.m. Observation Location: Old Post Road Common Name: Fisher Scientific Name: Martes pennanti Comments: Eric Zaniewski spotted this fisher while bicycling along Old Post Road, and managed to get this remarkable photo. Fishers are sometimes referred to as fisher cats, but they do not fish and they are not cats. They are members of the weasel family. […]

Siberian Iris – 6/4/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/4/20 Observation Time: 11:30 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Siberian Iris Scientific Name: Iris siberica Comments: These gaudy flowers bloom in early June. More Information: Commonweeder.com Blue flag irises were growing nearby.

Field Horsetail – 6/4/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/4/20 Observation Time: 11:20 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Field Horsetail Scientific Name: Equisetum arvense Comments: Field horsetail, a perennial plant of genus Equisetum, is the only living representative of the very ancient and primitive class Sphenopsida, tree-sized members of which were prominent in the land vegetation of the Carboniferous era (353-300 million years ago). More […]

Dame’s Rocket – 6/4/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/4/20 Observation Time: 11:15 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Dame’s Rocket Scientific Name: Hesperis matronalis Comments: Dame’s rocket (Hesperis matronalis) is a tall, short-lived perennial, which produces white, pink or purple flowers in the spring. Known for its colorful and fragrant blooms, the plant has been a traditional garden favorite. However, in recent years, Dame’s […]

Schlaeger’s Fruitworm Moth – 6/2/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/2/20 Observation Time: 1:30 p.m. Observation Location: Near tennis courts at outbound train station Common Name: Schlaeger’s fruitworm moth Scientific Name: Antaeotricha schlaegeri Comments: The Schlaeger’s fruitworm moth is found in north-eastern North America, south to North Carolina and west to Kansas and Texas. Adults resemble a bird-dropping. The wingspan is 21–30 mm. The larvae feed on white oak and related species. […]

Harlequin Darner Dragonfly – 6/2/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/2/20 Observation Time: 1:15 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Harlequin Darner dragonfly Scientific Name: Gomphaeschna furcillata Comments: The Harlequin Darner is a member of the Aeshnidae family of dragonflies. The species occurs across much of the eastern United States and parts of southeast Canada. Its range extends to eastern Texas. Harlequin darners resemble taper-tailed dragonflies. The pale 7-shaped mark […]

False Solomon’s Seal – 6/2/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/2/20 Observation Time: 10:55 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: False Solomon’s Seal Scientific Name: Maianthemum racemosum Comments: This herbaceous perennial plant is unbranched and grows to about knee-high. The central stem is somewhat erect and ascending. Flowers (then berries) occur at the end of the plant. Flowers occur in a plume-like cluster of minute florets and transform […]

Black Gum Tree – 5/31/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/31/20 Observation Time: 5:15 p.m. Observation Location: Trustees of Reservations’ Moose Hill Farm Common Name: Black Gum Tree Scientific Name: Nyssa sylvatica Comments: Also known as black tupelo, this is one of the most attractive native trees around. Summer leaves are a dark green with a high-gloss appearance, but the most spectacular part of this tree is the fall foliage with many […]

Star of Bethlehem – 5/31/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/31/20 Observation Time: 5:00 p.m. Observation Location: Trustees of Reservations’ Moose Hill Farm Common Name: Star of Bethlehem Scientific Name: Ornithogalum umbellatum Comments: The Star of Bethlehem is a genus (Ornithogalum) of perennial plants native to southern Europe belonging to the family Hyacinthaceae. Growing from a bulb, it has grass-like basal leaves and a slender stalk, up to 30 cm tall, bearing clusters […]

Eastern Cottontail – 5/31/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/31/20 Observation Time: 5:00 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Eastern cottontail rabbit Scientific Name: Sylvilagus floridanus Comments: The Eastern cottontail is an introduced species that is now common in Sharon. Much rarer is the native New England Cottontail, which is smaller and has shorter ears and a black spot on its forehead. If is very hard to tell these […]

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