Sightings – Page 28 – Sharon Friends of Conservation

Red Crossbill – 11/30/18

Observer: Vin Zollo Observation Date: 11/30/18 Observation Time: morning Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Red Crossbill Scientific Name: Loxia curvirostra Comments: The Red Crossbill is so dependent upon conifer seeds it even feeds them to its young. Consequently, it can breed any time it finds a sufficiently large cone crop, even in the depths of winter. A flock of about 20 red crossbills […]

Mute Swan – 11/25/18

Observer: Deborah Radovsky Observation Date: 11/25/18 Observation Time: 3:30 p.m. Observation Location: Lake Massapoag Common Name: Mute Swan Scientific Name: Cygnus olor Comments: juveniles (4) and adults. These graceful birds are native to Eurasia. They were introduced in North America in the late 19th century, and are now common here. Beware! Swans can be aggressive. They may attack if they feel threatened. More Information: Wikipedia

Belted Kingfisher – 11/24/18

Observer: Deborah Radovsky Observation Date: 11/24/18 Observation Time: 8:30 a.m. Observation Location: in a tree at the edge of Lake Massapoag, near Beach St. Common Name: Belted Kingfisher Scientific Name: Megaceryle alcyon Comments: Kingfishers have also been sighted near the boat launch area and in the Gavins Pond area. They dive for small fish. They nest in burrows. More Information: All About Birds

Christmas Fern – 10/31/18

Observer: Kathy Farrell Observation Date: 10/31/18 Observation Time: N/A Observation Location: Off Mountain Street, off Bay Rd. Common Name: Evergreen Fern, or Christmas Fern Scientific Name: Polystichum acrostichoides Comments: One of the commonest ferns in eastern North America, being found in moist and shady habitats in woodlands, rocky slopes, and stream banks. The common name derives from the evergreen fronds which are often still green at Christmas […]

Witchhazel Tree – 10/31/18

Observer: Kathy Farrell Observation Date: 10/31/18 Observation Location: Mountain Street area Common Name: Witchhazel Scientific Name: Hamamelis virginiana Comments: Small tree, very common in some areas off Mountain Street. Known for reducing skin inflammations such as acne. Used by Native Americans for dousing sticks to find water. Small yellow blossoms in October. Leaves turn yellow in autumn. More Information: https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/hamamelis_virginiana.shtml

Rock Tripe – 10/30/18

Observer: Kathy Farrell Observation Date: 10/30/2018 Observation Time: N/A Observation Location: Mountain Street Common Name: Rock Tripe lichen Scientific Name: Umbilicaria mammulata Comments: This lichen is edible (after boiling several times). It is considered to be “starvation food.” There are stories of George Washington’s troops eating it when they had nothing else. I found it in a rocky cliff area. More Information: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STxqLRmK03c and https://www.adirondackalmanack.com/2010/04/ruminations-on-rock-tripe.html

Bald Eagle – 10/29/18

Observer: Faith Berkland Observation Date: 10/29/18 Observation Time: 8:00 AM Observation Location: 302 Mansfield Street Common Name: Bald Eagle Scientific Name: Haliaeetus leucocephalus Comments: More Information: http://www.baldeagleinfo.com/

Milk Snake – 10/17/18

Observer: Kathy Farrell Observation Date: 10/17/18 Observation Time: 3:46 p.m. Observation Location: Beaver Brook Trail Common Name: Milk Snake Scientific Name: Lampropeltis triangulum Comments: Beautiful snake in middle of trail. Not very big…maybe 6-8″. Maybe juvenile? Was shaking its tail at me! No rattle. More Information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milk_snake

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug – 8/31/18

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 8/31/18 Observation Time: 4:10 p.m. Observation Location: Borderland State Park Common Name: Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (4th instar) Scientific Name: Halyomorpha Halys Comments: Stink bugs molt several times before reaching maturity. Each phase is referred to as an instar. More Information: Wikipedia

Locust Borer Beetle – 8/31/18

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 8/31/18 Observation Time: 4:00 p.m. Observation Location: Borderland State Park Common Name: Locust borer beetle Scientific Name: Megacyllene robiniae Comments: The locust borer only attacks black locust trees. It’s a native insect and was first found in the eastern part of the United States in natural stands of black locust trees. The locust borer caused problems in colonial times by […]

Monarch caterpillar – 8/15/18

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 8/15/18 Observation Time: 1:15 p.m. Observation Place: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Monarch Butterfly caterpillar and chrysalis Scientific Name: Danaus plexippus Comments: This caterpillar was feeding on milkweed. It will soon form a chrysalis, as others nearby had already done. Monarchs make an epic, multi-generational migration. Check it out at the link below. More Information: National Geographic Monarch chrysalis:

White-faced Meadowhawk Dragonfly – 8/15/18

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 8/15/18 Observation Time: 1:15 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: White-faced Meadowhawk dragonfly (male) Scientific Name: Sympetrum obtrusum Comments: Juveniles and females have yellow abdomens. Males are red. Similar to Ruby Meadowhawk and Cherry-faced Meadowhawk, but white-faced meadowhawks have a distinctive white face. More Information: Wikipedia

Joe Pye Weed – 8/15/18

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 8/15/18 Observation Time: 1:10 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Joe Pye Weed Scientific Name: Eupatorium purpureum Comments: Joe Pye weed is an herbaceous, late-blooming perennial native to much of the U.S. It is a wildflower and an herb that was used as an herbal remedy to lower fevers and other maladies. The plant goes by the […]

Amanita Mushroom – 8/15/18

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 8/15/18 Observation Time: 12:15 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Amanita mushroom Scientific Name: Amanita sp. Comments: The genus of this mushroom is probably Amanita, but it’s hard to say which of the numerous species of Amanita this is. Mushrooms of the genus Amanita account for most mushroom-related deaths. More information: MushroomExpert.com

Spotted Turtle – 7/17/18

Observer: Zahava Friedman Observation Date: 7/17/18 Observation Time: Observation Location: Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Spotted Turtle Scientific Name: Clemmys guttata Comments: Rare in Massachusetts. Spotted turtles visit vernal pools in spring to feed on amphibian eggs. When the pools dry up in summer, they must trek overland to return to a permanent pond. Unfortunately, this often entails crossing roads. More Information: Natural History and […]

Great Spangled Fritillary – 7/7/18

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/7/18 Observation Time: 2:40 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Great Spangled Fritillary Scientific Name: Speyeria cybele Comments: Easily confused with Aphrodite Fritillary – see: http://www.naba.org/chapters/nabambc/frames-2species.asp?sp1=Speyeria-cybele&sp2=Speyeria-aphrodite More Information: Butterflies and Moths of North America and USDA

Butternut (White Walnut) – 7/7/18

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/7/18 Observation Time: 3:15 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Butternut (White Walnut) Scientific Name: Juglans cinerea Comments: Butternut is a deciduous tree growing to 20 m (66 ft) tall, rarely 40 m (130 ft). Butternut is a slow-growing species, and rarely lives longer than 75 years. It has a 40–80 cm (16–31 in) stem diameter, with light gray bark. More Information: Wikipedia and Arbor Day Foundation

Tall Meadow Rue – 7/7/18

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/7/18 Observation Time: 3:10 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Tall Meadow Rue Scientific Name:Thalictrum pubescens Comments: Meadow rue flowers have no petals; the conspicuous part of the flower is the white filaments of the stamens. More Information: Connecticut Botanical Society

Baltimore Checkerspot butterfly – 7/7/18

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/7/18 Observation Time: 2:35 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Baltimore Checkerspot butterfly Scientific Name: Euphydryas phaeton Comments: I saw just one Baltimore checkerspot among other butterfly species feeding on dogbane blossoms. More Information: Massachusetts Butterfly Club

Thick-headed Fly – 7/7/18

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/7/18 Observation Time: 1:45 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Thick-headed Fly Scientific Name: Physocephala tibialis Comments: This family of flies is a parasite of solitary bees, and sometimes wasps. The female grabs the host while in flight and forces an egg between the bee’s abdominal segments. More Information: NatureSearch

Weevil Wasp – 7/7/18

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/7/18 Observation Time: 1:45 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Weevil Wasp Scientific Name: Cerceris Comments: Members of the genus Cerceris hunt weevils and other beetles. Females dig nests in the ground along roads or in areas with loose sand or soil like baseball fields, parks and beaches. They compact the material and create cells where they lay […]

Wild Onion – 7/7/18

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/7/18 Observation Time: 12:50 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Wild Onion or Crow Garlic Scientific Name: Allium vineale Comments: Instead of flowers, they have bulbils, which are miniature sprouts not unlike garlic cloves. More Information: Wikipedia or GoBotany

Reed Canary Grass – 7/7/18

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/7/18 Observation Time: 12:50 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Reed Canary Grass Scientific Name: Phalaris arundinacea Comments: Reed canary grass has become invasive or problematic in New England and across North America, and the invasive plants may be the Eurasian genotype. More Information: GoBotany

Twelve-spotted Skimmer dragonfly – 7/7/18

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/7/18 Observation Time: 12:35 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Twelve-spotted Skimmer dragonfly (female) Scientific Name: Libellula pulchella Comments: This species of dragonfly is relatively large. Lots of different species of dragonflies live in Sharon. Can you find one that’s not already recorded on this web site? More Information: Ecobirder

Black Swallowtail butterfly – 7/7/18

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/7/18 Observation Time: 12:00 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (The Trustees of Reservations) 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 More Information: Butterflies and Moths of North America

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