Sightings – Page 20 – Sharon Friends of Conservation

Spotted Knapweed – 7/12/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/12/20 Observation Time: 7:00 p.m. Observation Location: along Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Spotted Knapweed Scientific Name: Centaurea maculosa Comments: Spotted knapweed is not native to North America (it came from Europe). It is poisonous to other plants, creating barren areas where only knapweed grows. It can be a skin irritant. More Information: namethatplant.net

Lanceleaf Tickseed – 7/12/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/12/20 Observation Time: 6:55 p.m. Observation Location: along Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Lanceleaf Tickseed Scientific Name: Coreopsis lanceolata Comments: This native perennial wildflower thrives in poor, sandy or rocky soils with good drainage. It is tolerant of heat, humidity and drought. Lanceleaf tickseed features solitary, yellow, daisy-like flowers (1-2″ diameter) with eight yellow rays (toothed at the tips) and flat […]

Black-eyed Susan – 7/12/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/12/20 Observation Time: 6:50 p.m. Observation Location: along Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Black-eyed Susan Scientific Name: Rudbeckia hirta Comments: Related to cone flowers, this native biennial forms a rosette of leaves the first year, followed by flowers the second year. It is covered with hairs that give it a slightly rough texture. More Information: USDA and wildflower.org

Oriental Bittersweet – 7/12/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/12/20 Observation Time: 6:45 p.m. Observation Location: along Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Oriental Bittersweet Scientific Name: Celastrus orbiculatus Comments: This non-native invasive species comes from Asia. It grows as a vine that smothers plants and can topple trees due to its weight. It was introduced into the United States around 1860 as an ornamental plant. In fall, it produces attractive red and […]

Deer-tongue Grass – 7/12/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/12/20 Observation Time: 6:40 p.m. Observation Location: along Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Deer-tongue Grass Scientific Name: Dichanthelium clandestinum Comments: Deer-tongue grass is a perennial cool-season grass native to eastern North America. It can grow up to 4′ tall. It is tolerant of low pH soils, high concentrations of aluminum, drought conditions, and infertile soils. For these reasons, it is used in […]

Canada Wild Lettuce – 7/12/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/12/20 Observation Time: 6:40 p.m. Observation Location: along Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Canada Wild Lettuce Scientific Name: Lactuca canadensis Comments: This edible plant can grow to over six feet tall. It has leaves that are shaped like those of a dandelion, and produces dandelion-like yellow flowers. More Information: Wikipedia and iNaturalist

Large Lace-border Moth – 7/11/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/11/20 Observation Time: 3:40 p.m. Observation Location: along Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Large Lace-border Moth Scientific Name: Scopula limboundata Comments: Large Lace-border Moths rest with their wings flat making it easy to admire the creamy hues of its wings. There is some variety within the species. Some individuals are mostly white with faint brown waves at the edges of the […]

Red Chanterelle Mushroom – 7/11/20

Observer: Lonnie Friedman Observation Date: 7/11/20 Observation Time: 3:20 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Red Chanterelle Mushroom Scientific Name: Cantharellus cinnabarinus Comments: Red chanterelles are fungi native to eastern North America. They are members of the genus Cantharellus along with other chanterelles. They are named after their red color, which is imparted by the carotenoid canthaxanthin. They are edible, fruiting […]

Small Green Wood Orchid – 7/11/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/11/20 Observation Time: 3:10 p.m. Observation Location: somewhere in Sharon. Please do not dig up wildflowers! Common Name: Small Green Wood Orchid Scientific Name: Platanthera clavellata Comments: Platanthera is a large genus – about 200 species – in the large Orchidaceae (Orchid) Family. Over 30 of the Platanthera species are found in North America. Platanthera clavellata is protected in at least four states […]

Shinleaf – 7/9/20

Observer: Rita Corey and Larry Myatt Observation Date: 7/9/20 Observation Time: 9:18 a.m. Observation Location: Mountain Street, near entrance to Rattlesnake Hill Common Name: Shinleaf (a.k.a. White Wintergreen) Scientific Name: Pyrola elliptica Comments: Its common name, shinleaf, comes from the medicinal use of the plant, which produces a drug similar to aspirin. This drug has been reported to have analgesic properties and was used on bruised shins and other […]

Widow Underwing Moth – 7/7/20

Observer: Josh Simons Observation Date: 7/7/20 Observation Time: 1:30 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill area Common Name: Widow Underwing moth Scientific Name: Catocala vidua Comments: The widow underwing (Catocala vidua) is a moth of the Erebidae family. It is found from southern Ontario, into Maine, New Hampshire and Connecticut, south at least to Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama, west to Texas and Oklahoma, and north to […]

Great Crested Flycatcher – 7/2/20

Observer: Josh Simons Observation Date: 7/2/20 Observation Time: 3:00 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill area Common Name: Great crested flycatcher Scientific Name: Myiarchus crinitus Comments: The great-crested flycatcher has a pale yellow breast. The underside of its tail is reddish brown. More Information: All About Birds

Red Fox – 6/25/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/25/20 Observation time: 8:45 a.m. Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Rd. Common Name: Red fox Scientific Name: Vulpes vulpes Comments: It was a thrill to see these three playful red foxes in our back yard. One of them seemed quite interested in the neighbor’s fluffy cat, which stood its ground. Despite its name, individual red foxes have variable coloration. The […]

Viceroy Butterfly – 6/22/20

Observer: Zahava Friedman Observation Date: 6/22/20 Observation Time: 10:40 a.m. Observation Location: near Gavins Pond Common Name: Viceroy butterfly Scientific Name: Limenitis archippus Comments: Viceroys are smaller than the famous migrating monarchs, and the black markings are different. Note the curved black line on the hind wings. Monarchs do not have this line. Viceroys are brush-footed butterflies, which have tiny, hairy forelegs that look more like brushes […]

Small-leaved Linden Tree – 6/21/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/21/20 Observation Time: 4:35 p.m. Observation Location: Corner of Gavins Pond Rd. and Col. Gridley Rd. Common Name: Small-leaved Linden Tree Scientific Name: Tilia cordata Comments: Tilia cordata, commonly called small-leaved linden or little-leaf linden, is native to Europe. It has been widely planted in the U.S. as an ornamental shade tree because of its (a) attractive foliage, (b) dense, low-branched, pyramidal to ovate […]

Sheep’s Bit – 6/21/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/21/20 Observation Time: 4:30 p.m. Observation Location: Along Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Sheep’s bit Scientific Name: Jasione montana Comments: Sheep’s bit is an annual or biennial, native to Europe and Russia and introduced to North America’s east and west coasts. It was introduced through being grown as a garden ornamental, and is spreading westward from sandy sites in southern New England. More Information: Go Botany

Raccoon – 6/19/20

Observer: Josh Simons Observation Date: 6/19/20 Observation Time: 3:30 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill area Common Name: Raccoon Scientific Name: Procyon lotor Comments: Raccoons are mainly nocturnal, but this family was out foraging during the day. Raccoons are smart and quite capable of defending themselves against dogs or anything else that might try to harass them. More Information: National Geographic

Raccoon and Gray Fox – 6/16/20

Observer: Kurt Buermann Observation Date: 6/16/20 Observation Time: 8:20 p.m. Observation Location: Furnace Street Common Name: Raccoon and Gray Fox Scientific Name: Procyon lotor and Urocyon cinereoargenteus Comments: This raccoon and gray fox – both of which are predators – were feeding peacefully together on the porch. More Information: Wikipedia and Nature Works Here’s a link to the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BX-v4iZD_j4

Grape Leaffolder Moth – 6/14/20

Observer: Josh Simons Observation Date: 6/14/20 Observation Time: 6:00 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill area Common Name: Grape Leaffolder Moth Scientific Name: Desmia funeralis Comments: This moth is called a grape leaffolder because its larvae folds the leaves of muscadine grape vines and keeps them folded using bands of silk thread. This interferes with the plant’s ability to photosynthesize, and weakens it, resulting in a decreased grape harvest the […]

Palmate Hop Clover – 6/14/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/14/20 Observation Time: 5:20 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Palmate Hop Clover Scientific Name: Trifolium aureum Comments: Palmate hop clover is an exotic species that is widespread in New England. The common name derives from the fact that as the flower heads age, the florets fold down and become brown, resembling dried hops. More Information: Go […]

Eastern Kingbird – 6/14/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/14/20 Observation Time: 4:40 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Eastern Kingbird Scientific Name: Tyrannus tyrannus Comments: Kingbirds are members of the flycatcher family. The tip of the tail looks like it was dipped in white paint. Their call has been likened to the sound of arcing electricity. In summer kingbirds eat mostly flying insects. Pairs maintain a […]

Rough-fruited Cinquefoil – 6/14/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/14/20 Observation Time: 4:30 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Rough-fruited Cinquefoil Scientific Name: Potentilla recta Comments: Also known as sulphur cinquefoil, this wildflower is native to Europe and Asia. Introduced and naturalized in North America. Found along roads and in disturbed sites. Thrives in full sun and tolerates dry conditions. Flowers from June to August. Blossoms […]

Red-spotted Admiral – 6/14/20

Observer: Josh Simons Observation Date: 6/14/20 Observation Time: 4:00 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill area Common Name: Red-spotted Admiral (or red-spotted purple) butterfly Scientific Name: Limenitis arthemis astyanax Comments: The red-spotted purple butterfly is the same species as the white admiral butterfly. It is a North American species in the genus Limenitis. It has been studied for its evolution of mimicry, and for the several stable […]

Common Pondhawk Dragonfly (female) – 6/14/20

Observer: Josh Simons Observation Date: 6/14/20 Observation Time: 1:15 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill area Common Name: Common Pondhawk (or Eastern Pondhawk) dragonfly (female) Scientific Name: Erythemis simplicicollis Comments: Pondhawk dragonflies are voracious hunters, but they are completely harmless to humans. Females are green. Males are blue. Females oviposit in flight, hovering low over the water and repeatedly dipping their abdomens into the water to release […]

Slaty Skimmer Dragonfly (female) – 6/14/20

Observer: Josh Simons Observation Date: 6/14/20 Observation Time: 11:30 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill area Common Name: Slaty Skimmer dragonfly (female) Scientific Name: Libellula incesta Comments: Watch this video of the slaty skimmer dragonfly as it oviposits at Gavins Pond. More Photos: Odonata.bogfoot.net

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