Sightings – Page 22 – Sharon Friends of Conservation

Palm Warbler – 5/3/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/3/20 Observation Time: 10:00 a.m. Observation Location: pine woods by Gavins Pond 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. This one was in the company of a yellow-rumped warbler and a black-and-white warbler. You can monitor the bird […]

Yellow-rumped Warbler – 5/3/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/3/20 Observation Time: 9:50 a.m. Observation Location: woods near Gavins Pond Common Name: Yellow-rumped warbler Scientific Name: Setophaga coronata Comments: The western sub-species of yellow-rumped warbler has a bright yellow throat. The eastern sub-species, also known as a myrtle warbler, has a white throat. More Information: All About Birds

Crabapple Tree – 5/3/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/3/20 Observation Time: 9:30 a.m. Observation Location: near Gavins Pond Common Name: Crabapple tree Scientific Name: Malus spp. Comments: Crabapple trees have lovely pink and white blossoms in spring. The apples they produce are tiny. More Information: Crabapple tree indentification

Snapping Turtle – 5/3/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/3/20 Observation Time: 8:30 a.m. Observation Location: Near Billings Brook downstream of Gavins Pond dam Common Name: Snapping Turtle Scientific Name: Chelydra serpentina Comments: Reptiles are cold-blooded. This individual had hauled itself out of the chilly water to warm itself in the sun. In early June, snapping turtles come out of the water, dig a hole in sandy areas, and bury their eggs. […]

Pine Warbler – 5/2/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/2/20 Observation Time: 1:00 p.m. Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Road (my back yard) 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. More Information: All About Birds

Tufted Titmouse – 5/2/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/2/20 Observation Time: 12:50 p.m. Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Road (in my back yard) Common Name: Tufted Titmouse Scientific Name: Baeolophus bicolor Comments: Tufted titmice are abundant in the woods in Sharon. They are often encountered in the company of chickadees. More Information: All About Birds

Milk Snake – 5/2/20

Observer: Marcia Tranavitch Observation Date: 5/2/20 Observation Time: noon Observation Location: against the retaining wall in my garden at 24 Pine St. Common Name: Milk Snake Scientific Name: Lampropeltis triangulum Comments: I encountered him/her among the leaves I was cleaning out at the edge of the woods on my property. I estimate this milk snake was at least 3 feet in length. To appreciate its length, note the […]

House Finch – 5/2/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/2/20 Observation Time: 7:45 a.m. Observation Location: Ward’s Berry Farm 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

Yellow Warbler – 5/2/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/2/20 Observation Time: 6:15 a.m. Observation Location: near wetlands downstream of Gavins Pond dam Common Name: Yellow Warbler Scientific Name: Setophaga petechia Comments: The yellow warbler is typically found near wetlands. It has a song that sounds like, “sweet-sweet-sweet-little more sweet.” More Information: All About Birds

White-tailed Deer – 4/29/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/29/20 Observation Time: 7:55 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: White-tailed Deer Scientific Name: Odocoileus virginianus Comments: White-tailed deer are common in Sharon due to the absence of top predators such as wolves and cougars. If the deer population becomes too high, they will starve. This individual was still gaunt from the privations of winter. More Information: Wikipedia

Carolina Wren – 4/25/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/25/20 Observation Time: 10:00 a.m. Observation Location: Conservation land at Lakeview St. & Morse St. Common Name: Carolina Wren Scientific Name: Thryothorus ludovicianus Comments: The Carolina Wren is sensitive to cold weather, with the northern populations decreasing markedly after severe winters. Global warming might be responsible for the northward range expansion seen in the late-1900s and early 2000’s. A pair bond may form between […]

Eastern Bluebird – 4/25/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/25/20 Observation Time: 9:00 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Eastern Bluebird Scientific Name: Sialia sialis Comments: The Sharon Friends of Conservation maintains some bluebird nesting boxes at this site. Volunteers monitor these nesting boxes and keep track of the bluebirds’ nesting activities. More Information: All About Birds

Turkey Vulture – 4/20/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/20/20 Observation Time: 9:10 a.m. Observation Location: conservation land near Lakeview & Morse Common Name: Turkey Vulture Scientific Name: Cathartes aura Comments: Turkey vultures are gliders. They ride thermal updrafts, so they rarely need to flap their wings. More Information: All About Birds

Brook Trout – 4/19/20

Observer: Steven D’Addieco Observation Date: 4/19/20 Observation Time: 7:15 p.m. Observation Location: undisclosed location in Sharon Common Name: Brook trout Scientific Name: Salveninus Fontinalus Comments: Pollution and dams have greatly reduced native brook trout populations in eastern Massachusetts. Brook trout are vulnerable to global warming because they cannot survive in warm water. Please practice catch and release to help conserve these beautiful fish. More Information: Massachusetts […]

Eastern Bluebird – 4/17/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/17/20 Observation Time: 2:00 p.m. Observation Location: conservation land near Morse & Lakeview Common Name: Eastern Bluebird Scientific Name: Sialia sialis Comments: The Sharon Friends of Conservation maintains six bluebird nesting boxes at this site. Most of them are occupied by tree swallows. More Information: All About Birds

Old Man’s Beard Lichen – 4/16/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/16/20 Observation Time: 1:45 p.m. Observation Location: conservation land at Lakeview & Morse Common Name: Old Man’s Beard lichen Scientific Name: Usnea strigosa Comments: Also called bushy beard, this epiphytic (i.e. growing on trees) lichen is a composite organism that emerges from algae or cyanobacteria living among the filaments of the fungi in a symbiotic (mutually beneficial) relationship. The fungi benefit […]

Gray Fox – 4/15/20

Observer: Megan Baker Observation Date: 4/15/20 Observation Time: 3:45 p.m. Observation Location: 15 Briggs Pond Way Common Name: Gray Fox Scientific Name: Urocyon cinereoargenteus Comments: Spotted trotting across the back yard. The gray fox has rounded ears, a dark-tipped tail and hooked claws. Unlike a red fox, the gray fox can climb, and will occasionally forage for food or rest in a tree. The gray fox’s ability […]

Northern Flicker – 4/15/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/15/20 Observation Time: 2:45 p.m. Observation Location: Conservation land near Sandy Ridge Circle Common Name: Northern Flicker Scientific Name: Colaptes auratus Comments: Flickers are woodpeckers, but they are unusual in that they eat ants and beetles on the ground. They are sometimes called yellow-shafted flickers. More Information: All About Birds

Downy Woodpecker – 4/15/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/15/20 Observation Time: 2:00 p.m. Observation Location: Conservation land near Sandy Ridge Circle Common Name: Downy Woodpecker Scientific Name: Dendrocopos pubescens Comments: Dendrocopos means “tree dagger” and “pubescens” refers to its downy hairs of puberty compared to those of the Hairy woodpecker, D. villosus. [The Dictionary of American Bird Names by Ernest A. Choate] More Information: All About Birds

Tufted Titmouse – 4/15/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/15/20 Observation Time: 1:15 p.m. Observation Location: Conservation land near Sandy Ridge Circle Common Name: Tufted Titmouse Scientific Name: Baeolophus bicolor Comments: Tufted titmice are abundant in the woods in Sharon. They are often encountered in the company of chickadees. More Information: All About Birds

American woodcock – 3/9/20

Observer: Richard Mandell Observation Date: 3/9/20 Observation Time: afternoon Observation Location: 580 Mountain St. Common Name: American Woodcock Scientific Name: Scolopax minor Comments: Woodcocks are also called timberdoodles. They nest on the ground, and are very well camouflaged. Youtube video of woodcock mating flight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ta1fxy0MR2c&t=6s Youtube video of woodcocks “waltzing”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSh9Shgwc5o More Information: All About Birds

Hooded Merganser – 3/8/20

Observer: Ilan Fisher Observation Date: 3/8/20 Observation Time: 3:00 p.m. Observation Location: Car Shop Pond Common Name: Hooded merganser Scientific Name: Lophodytes cucullatus Comments: Check out the video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnoGijQwyvw More Information: All About Birds

Bufflehead – 3/8/20

Observer: Ilan Fisher Observation Date: 3/8/20 Observation Time: 3:00 p.m. Observation Location: Lake Massapoag (near Harding St. & Beach St.) Common Name: Bufflehead Scientific Name: Bucephala albeola Comments: Shot a bit of video to go with previous days’ sightings at same location. See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdOIPxBSs1g More Information: All About Birds

Mute Swan – 3/5/20

Observer: Ilan Fisher Observation Date: 3/5/20 Observation Time: 3:30 p.m. Observation Location: Lake Massapoag (south end, off Beach St.) Common Name: Mute Swan Scientific Name: Cygnus olor Comments: I saw five of these guys cruising by the lake. Sorry, no photo. More Information: All About Birds

Pileated Woodpecker – 2/25/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 2/25/20 Observation Time: 1:10 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Pileated Woodpecker Scientific Name: Dryocopus pileatus Comments: I spotted this magnificent, large, red-crested woodpecker behind the barn on the Billings Loop. You will improve your chances of sighting one of these birds by learning their calls and the sound of their drumming, which is different from that of other […]

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