Category: Sightings

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/30/20 Observation Time: 2:45 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Indigo Bunting Scientific Name: Passerina cyanea Comments: Male indigo buntings are actually black; the diffraction of light through their feathers makes them look blue. This explains why males can appear as various hues from turquoise to black. Female indigo buntings are brown (see photos below). More Information: All […]

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/30/20 Observation Time: 1:40 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Red-eyed Vireo Scientific Name: Vireo olivaceus Comments:  Red-eyed vireos are a common summer resident in Sharon. They sing all day long. Since they are notoriously hard to spot in the canopy, the mnemonic for their song is, “Here I am. Where are you?” Hear a recording at: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-eyed_Vireo/sounds. Note […]

Observer: Josh Simons Observation Date: 5/21/20 Observation Time: 6:30 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill area Common Name: Red-bellied woodpecker Scientific Name: Melanerpes carolinus Comments: Massachusetts is at the northern edge of the range for this species (as implied by its scientific name, Melanerpes carolinus), but they are becoming more common around here as a result of the warming climate. Red-bellied woodpeckers make a very distinctivekwirr call. Learn to […]

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/21/20 Observation Time: 9:30 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (formerly the Kendall Estate) Common Name: Bobolink Scientific Name: Dolichonyx oryzivorus Comments: The big pasture at the Trustees of Reservations’ Moose Hill Farm is ideal breeding habitat for bobolinks. Meadow habitat is not nearly as prevalent in Massachusetts since industry replaced agriculture, and forests grew back in former pasture lands. More Information: All About Birds

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/21/20 Observation Time: 9:20 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Indigo Bunting Scientific Name: Passerina cyanea Comments: Indigo Buntings are actually black; the diffraction of light through their feathers makes them look blue. This explains why males can appear as various hues from turquoise to black. Note the different color of the bird in the last photo […]

Observer: Ilan Fisher Observation Date: 5/20/20 Observation Time: 5:00 p.m. Observation Location: Bayberry Drive Common Name: Wild Turkey Scientific Name: Meleagris gallopavo Comments: Red team vs. Blue team – truly American birds! So much so that Ben Franklin thought the wild turkey would be preferable to the bald eagle as a national symbol. See: https://www.history.com/news/did-benjamin-franklin-propose-the-turkey-as-the-national-symbol More Information: All About Birds

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/20/20 Observation Time: 4:26 p.m. Observation Location: high tension lines opposite Ward’s Berry Farm Common Name: Red-tailed Hawk Scientific Name: Buteo jamaicensis Comments: Red-tailed hawks are often harassed by songbirds. This one was engaged in a dogfight with a redwing blackbird. More Information: All About Birds

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/20/20 Observation Time: 2:35 p.m. Observation Location: wetlands under high tension lines across the street from Ward’s Berry Farm 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

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/19/20 Observation Time: 11:10 a.m. Observation Location: under the high tension lines across the street from the Gavins Pond soccer fields Common Name: Baltimore Oriole Scientific Name: Icterus galbula Comments: The oriole’s flutelike call is quite distinctive, once you know what to listen for. More Information: All About Birds

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/19/20 Observation Time: 9:50 a.m. Observation Location: field near Gavins Pond dam 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 […]

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/18/20 Observation Time: 10:25 a.m. Observation Location: under the power lines across the street from the Gavins Pond soccer fields Common Name: Prairie Warbler Scientific Name: Setophaga discolor Comments: Prairie warblers are found in scrubby fields and forest edges throughout the eastern and south-central United States. Unlike many other warblers that migrate through Sharon in spring and fall, the prairie warbler hangs around […]