Nessus Sphinx Moth – 7/1/19

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/1/19 Observation Time: 4:40 p.m. Observation Location: Trustees of Reservations’ Moose Hill Farm Common Name: Nessus Sphinx Moth Scientific Name: Amphion floridensis Comments: The Nessus Sphinx is a member of Sphingidae, a family of powerfully fast moths that are typically seen drinking flower nectar. The Nessus Sphinx has two yellow bands on the abdomen that are thought to help it mimic a […]

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Mock Orange – 6/23/19

Observer: Rita Corey Observation Date: 6/23/19 Observation Time: 3:45 p.m. Observation Location: 282 Mountain Street Common Name: Mock Orange Scientific Name: Philadelphus coronarius Comments: Mock orange shrubs have flowers that are rich with nectar and attract butterflies. They are native to Southeast Europe and Italy. More Information: the spruce

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Eastern Bluebird – 6/23/19

Observer: Rita Corey Observation Date: 6/23/19 Observation Time: 3:30 p.m. Observation Location: 282 Mountain Street (back yard) Common Name: Eastern Bluebird Scientific Name: Sialia sialis Comments: This bluebird was checking out the bluebird house. Note that the entrance hole has been gnawed by a squirrel. The extra piece of wood that’s attached around the hole makes it harder for squirrels to enlarge the hole enough to get […]

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Downy Rattlesnake Plantain Orchid – 6/23/19

Observer: Rita Corey Observation Date: 6/23/19 Observation Time: 2:15 p.m. Observation Location: Rattlesnake Hill Common Name: Downy Rattlesnake Plantain Orchid Scientific Name: Goodyera pubescens Comments: Please don’t dig up wildflowers. More Information: USDA Plant Fact Sheet

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Raspberry Slime Mold – 6/23/19

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/23/19 Observation Time: 12:32 p.m. Observation Location: Billings Loop Botanical Trail Common Name: Rasberry Slime Mold Scientific Name: Amoebozoa Comments: Slime molds are in the phylum Amoebozoa, and are related to amoeba. Slime molds are aggregates of single-celled organisms that can grow up to 9 feet long! Slime molds typically aggregate to form a plasmodium — a multinucleate mass of undifferentiated cells that may […]

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Dog Vomit Slime Mold – 6/23/19

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/23/19 Observation Time: 12:30 p.m. Observation Location: Billings Loop Botanical Trail Common Name: Dog Vomit Slime Mold Scientific Name: Fuligo septica Comments: Slime molds are in the phylum Amoebozoa, and are related to amoeba. Slime molds are aggregates of single-celled organisms that can grow up to 9 feet long! Slime molds typically aggregate to form a plasmodium — a multinucleate mass of undifferentiated […]

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Enchanter’s Nightshade – 6/23/19

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/23/19 Observation Time: noon Observation Location: Billings Loop Botanical Trail Common Name: Enchanter’s Nightshade Scientific Name: Circaea quadrisulcata Comments: Enchanter’s nightshade is a member of the primrose family. More Information: UMass Amherst Weed Herbarium

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Witch’s Butter Fungus – 6/23/19

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/23/19 Observation Time: 11:30 a.m. Observation Location: Botanical Trail Common Name: Witch’s Butter Fungus Scientific Name: Tremella mesenterica Comments: Although the species appears to be growing on wood, it is actually a parasite on the (usually hidden) mycelium of a crust fungus. More Information: MushoomExpert.com

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Indian Pipe – 6/23/19

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/23/19 Observation Time: 10:45 a.m. Observation Location: Billings Loop Botanical Trail Common Name: Indian Pipe Scientific Name: Monotropa uniflora Comments: Indian pipe, also known as ghost plant (or ghost pipe) or corpse plant, is a herbaceous perennial plant native to temperate regions of European Russia, Asia, North America and northern South America, but with large gaps between areas. It is generally rare in […]

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American Hornbeam – 6/23/19

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/23/19 Observation Time: 10:45 p.m. Observation Location: Billings Loop Botanical Trail Common Name: American Hornbeam Scientific Name: Carpinus caroliniana Comments: The common English name hornbeam derives from the hardness of the wood (likened to animal horn) and the Old English beam, meaning “tree” (cognate with German Baum). The American hornbeam is also occasionally known as blue-beech, ironwood, or musclewood, the first […]

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Fragile Forktail damselfly – 6/9/19

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/9/19 Observation Time: 4:55 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Dam Common Name: Fragile Forktail Damselfly Scientific Name: Ischnura posita Comments: This is the male. The female is blue rather than green. More Information: Odonata Central

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Money Flower – 6/9/19

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/9/19 Observation time: 4:15 p.m. Observation Location: beginning of the trail at the end of Brook Road Common Name: Money Flower (a.k.a. Honesty) Scientific Name: Lunaria annua Comments: The seed pods of the money flower are shaped like coins. This flower originated from the Balkans and southwest Asia. Its popularity as a garden flower means that colonies are most often seen near to towns and […]

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Rattlesnake Root (3-leaved) – 6/9/19

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/9/19 Observation Time: 4:05 p.m. Observation Location: trail near Brook Road Common Name: Three-leaved Rattlesnake Root Scientific Name: Nabalus trifoliolatus Comments: The leaves of this species of rattlesnake root look quite different from the arrowhead-shaped leaves of other kinds of rattlesnake root. More Information: GoBotany

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Wolf Spider – 6/9/19

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/9/19 Observation Time: 3:55 p.m. Observation Place: trail from Brook Road to Devil’s Rock Common Name: Wolf spider Scientific Name:  Gladicosa gulosa Comments: This spider does not make a web. More Information: Sweating the Small Stuff

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Roundleaf Greenbriar – 6/9/19

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/9/19 Observation time: 2:50 p.m. Observation Location: along trail near Brook Road Common Name: Roundleaf Greenbriar Scientific Name: Smilax rotundifolia Comments: Greenbriar vines, often found near wetlands, have glossy, rounded leaves and large, sharp thorns. The tips of the vines are edible. More information: Marblehead Conservancy

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Crown-tipped Coral Fungus – 6/9/19

Observer: Hana Jenner Observation Date: 6/9/19 Observation Time: 2:20 p.m. Observation Location: on a log beside a trail near Brook Road Common Name: Crown-tipped Coral Fungus Scientific Name: Artomyces pyxidatus Comments: This is one of the few coral fungi found on decaying wood. The crown-like tips of the branches are unlike those of any of the other coral fungi, thus making this species relatively easy to […]

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Bald Eagle – 6/4/19

Observer: Richard Kramer Observation Date: 6/4/19 Observation Time: noon Observation Location: Lake Massapoag 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 had been banded in the same state in 1977. The […]

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Yellow Warbler – 6/2/19

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/2/19 Observation Time: 4:00 p.m. Observation Location: in the wetlands beneath the power lines across the street from Ward’s Berry Farm Common Name: Yellow warbler Scientific Name: Setophaga petechia Comments: The yellow warbler has a song that sounds like, “sweet-sweet-sweet little more sweet.” It is typically found near wetlands. More Information: All About Birds

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Song Sparrow – 6/2/19

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/2/19 Observation Time: 3:45 p.m. Observation Location: in the wetlands beneath the power lines across the street from Ward’s Berry Farm Common Name: Song Sparrow Scientific Name: Melospiza melodia Comments: There are at least 18 species of sparrows in Massachusetts. Learning their respective calls is a good way to find and identify them. More Information: All About Birds

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Deer-tongue Grass – 6/2/19

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/2/19 Observation Time: 3:15 p.m. Observation Location: Along the dirt road under the power lines on the other side of South Main Street from Ward’s Berry Farm 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 grows to 2′ to 4′ tall. It is tolerant of low pH […]

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Chalk-fronted Corporal dragonfly (juvenile) – 6/2/19

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/2/19 Observation Time: 3:10 p.m. Observation Location: beneath the high tension wires that parallel So. Walpole Street Common Name: Chalk-fronted Corporal dragonfly (juvenile) Scientific Name: Ladona julia Comments: Juveniles of both sexes are light reddish brown, with white shoulder stripes and a black stripe down the middle of the abdomen. This one seemed a bit wobbly, as if it had just […]

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Field Sparrow – 6/2/19

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/2/19 Observation Time: 2:40 p.m. Observation Location: Rocky bluff under power lines near So. Walpole Street Common Name: Field Sparrow Scientific Name: Spizella pusilla Comments: Field sparrows have a relatively long tail, a thin white eye ring, and a pinkish conical bill. They have a gray face and a rust-colored cap. However, the best way to tell them apart from other sparrows is […]

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Black Swallowtail butterfly – 6/2/19

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/2/19 Observation Time: 2:15 p.m. Observation Location: rocky bluff under power lines along S. Walpole St. Common Name: Black Swallowtail butterfly Scientific Name: Papilio polyxenes Comments: Black swallowtail butterflies look a lot like spicebush swallowtail butterflies. You can learn how to tell the difference between a black swallowtail and a spicebush swallowtail at: http://www.naba.org/chapters/nabambc/frames-2species.asp?sp1=Papilio-polyxenes&sp2=Papilio-troilus There is also a good discussion of how to […]

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Prairie Warbler – 6/2/19

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/2/19 Observation Time: 1:20 p.m. Observation Location: on the bluff beneath the power lines that parallel So. Walpole St. Common Name: Prairie Warbler Scientific Name: Setophaga discolor Comments: Prairie warblers are found in scrubby fields and forests throughout the eastern and south-central United States, not on the prairies. Unlike many other warblers that migrate through Sharon in spring and fall, the Prairie […]

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Mourning Dove – 6/2/19

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/2/19 Observation Time: 1:10 p.m. Observation Location: beneath the high tension wires that parallel So. Walpole St. Common Name: Mourning Dove Scientific Name: Zenaida macroura Comments: The mourning dove is one of the most abundant and widespread of all North American bird species. It is also a leading gamebird, with more than 20 million birds (up to 70 million in some years) shot […]

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