Sightings – Page 3 – Sharon Friends of Conservation

Common Blue Violet – 4/27/26

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/27/24 Observation Time: 8:45 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Common Blue Violet Scientific Name: Viola sororia Comments: The blossoms of common blue violets come in colors ranging from white to purple. More information: Wild Edible

Redwing Blackbird – 4/24/26

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/24/26 Observation Time: 10:35 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Redwing blackbird Scientific Name: Agelaius phoeniceus Comments: Redwing blackbirds are typically found near water, but this one was feeding at a bird feeder. Only the males have bright red and yellow epaulets on their wings. More Information: All about Birds

Tufted Titmouse – 4/24/26

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/24/26 Observation Time: 10:30 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary 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

Ruby-crowned Kinglet – 4/24/26

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/24/26 Observation Time: 8:50 am Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Ruby-crowned Kinglet Scientific Name: Corthylio calendula Comments: Ruby-crowned kinglets are tiny – even smaller than chickadees. They migrate through Sharon in spring en route to nesting areas in northern New England and Canada. More Information: All About Birds

Narrow-leaved Spring Beauty – 4/24/26

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/24/26 Observation Time: 8:00 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Narrow-leaved Spring Beauty Scientific Name: Claytonia virginica Comments: Its scientific name honors Colonial Virginia botanist John Clayton (1694–1773). Spring Beauty is classified as an endangered species in Massachusetts. Please do not dig up any wildflowers you may find in Sharon. Wildflowers are adapted to the spot where […]

Eastern Bluebird – 4/23/26

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/23/26 Observation Time: 7:15 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Eastern Bluebird Scientific Name: Sialia sialis Comments: In 1972, DDT was banned (note that bluebirds eat insects), and in 1973, Congress passed the Endangered Species Act. Bluebirds were listed as a Species of Special Concern in several states. In 1973, the Camp Fire Girls began Project Save […]

American Lady Butterfly – 4/23/26

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/23/26 Observation Time: 9:00 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: American Lady butterfly Scientific Name: Vanessa virginiensis Comments: American Lady butterflies look a lot like Painted Lady butterflies. The American Lady has two large spots on the undersides of its trailing wings. The Painted Lady has four smaller spots instead. More Information: Wisconsin Butterflies and Butterflies and Moths of […]

Palm Warbler – 4/21/26

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/21/26 Observation Time: 8:45 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary (Billings Loop) 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 foraging for insects on the ground.You can monitor the bird migration in […]

Phoebe – 4/21/26

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/21/26 Observation Time: 8:15 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary (Billings Loop barn) Common Name: Phoebe Scientific Name: Sayornis phoebe Comments: The song of the Phoebe sounds like its name. You can find and play bird songs online. The more bird calls you memorize, the more bird species you will be able to identify in the field, where the birds themselves […]

Broad-winged Hawk – 4/21/26

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Obervation Date: 4/21/26 Observation Time: 8:10 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Broad-winged hawk Scientific Name: Buteo platypterus Comments: A small, stocky raptor with black-and-white bands on the tail, the Broad-winged Hawk is a bird of the forest interior and can be hard to see during the nesting season. Its call is a piercing, two-parted whistle. Its relatively […]

Tree Swallow – 4/21/26

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/21/26 Observation Time: 7:00 am Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Tree Swallow Scientific Name: Tachycineta bicolor Comments: Tree swallows compete with bluebirds for nesting boxes. More Information: All About Birds

Blue-headed Vireo – 4/20/26

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/20/26 Observation Time: 7:30 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Blue-headed Vireo Scientific Name: Vireo solitarius Comments: Blue-headed vireos arrive in Sharon in late April along with the first wave of woodland warblers. Note the white “spectacles” around its eyes. More Information: All About Birds

Hermit Thrush – 4/20/26

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/18/26 Observation Time: 3:00 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Hermit Thrush Scientific Name: Catharus guttatus Comments: You can tell it’s a hermit thrush and not a wood thrush by the rusty red color of its tail. More Information: All About Birds

European Field Pansy – 4/15/26

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/15/26 Observation Time: 10:20 a.m. Observation Location: Wolomolopoag St. near Ward’s Berry Farm Common Name: European Field Pansy Scientific Name: Viola arvensis Comments: Field pansy is a species of violet. It is native to Europe, western Asia, and North Africa. On other continents it is an introduced species considered to be a weed that spreads in disturbed and cultivated areas. […]

Red Deadnettle – 4/15/26

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/15/26 Observation Time: 10:15 a.m. Observation Location: Wolomolopoag St. by Ward’s Berry Farm Common Name: Red Deadnettle Scientific Name: Lamium purpureum Comments: Red deadnettle is a common, low-growing plant in the mint family. It is often mistaken for a stinging nettle, but it is harmless and edible, know for its square stems, hairy leaves, and pinish-purple flowers the appear in […]

Opossum – 2/25/26

Observer: Ken Zaniewski Observation Date: 2/25/26 Observation Time: evening Observation Location: Old Post Road Common Name: Opossum Scientific Name: Didelphimorphia Comments: Opossums are voracious eaters that will try anything they find. Surprisingly, opossums eat ticks by the thousands. Ticks, particularly the black-legged ticks like deer ticks that are responsible for the spread of Lyme disease, appear to be a top item on the opossum’s menu. Several […]

Milk Snake – 9/23/25

Observer: Jean Zaniewski Observation Date: 9/23/2025 Observation Time: 1:00 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Bluff Trail, on top of second west facing overlook Common Name: Eastern Milk Snake Scientific Name: Lampropeltis triangulum Comments: It was about 2 feet long. When they feel threatened, milk snakes sometimes swish their tails in dead leaves to make a rustling sound and simulate a rattlesnake in order to scare away […]

Long-tailed weasel – 8/16/25

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 8/16/25 Observation Time: 11:45 a.m. Observation Location: Furnace St. Common Name: Long-tailed weasel Scientific Name: Neogale frenata Comments: Cream-colored undersides (as opposed to white), longer tail, and larger size differentiate this road-kill specimen from a short-tailed weasel. Mink are all brown. Long-tailed weasel is also known as stoat. In northern areas in winter, the long-tailed weasel’s fur becomes white, sometimes […]

Tiger Bee Fly – 8/14/25

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 8/14/25 Observation Time: 12:45 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Rd. Common Name: Tiger Bee Fly Scientific Name: Xenox tigrinus Comments: The tiger bee fly is a beneficial insect because it preys on the larvae of carpenter bees. Carpenter bees chew tunnels in wood, and can damage your house. If you happen to have a carbenter bee infestation, you can scare […]

Catalpa Tree – 6/22/25

Observer: Kathy Farrell Observation Date: 6/22/25 Observation Time: 12:15 p.m. Observation Location: Off Bay Road Common name: Catalpa tree Scientific Name: Catalpa speciosa Comments: Beautiful catalpa tree flowers, remind me of foxglove. Wonderfully fragrant. Almost same date as last posted SFOC sighting (6/25/16). More Information: Arbor Day Foundation

Franklin Tree – 6/21/25

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/21/25 Observation Time: 6:00 p.m. Observation Location: Sharon Historical Society museum building at 16 High St. Common Name: Franklin Tree Scientific Name:Franklinia alatamaha Comments: The Franklin tree is native to the Altamaha River valley in Georgia. It has been extinct in the wild since the early 19th century, but survives as a cultivated ornamental tree. Philadelphia botanists John and William […]

Tall Meadow Rue – 6/21/25

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/21/25 Observation Time: 5:11 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

Common Mugwort – 6/21/25

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/21/25 Observation Time: 5:10 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Common Mugwort Scientific Name: Artemesia vulgaris Comments: Common mugwort is used as a culinary herb and medicinally throughout the world. More Information: Botanical.com and Wikipedia

Eastern Bluebird – 6/21/25

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/21/25 Observation Time: 5:00 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Eastern Bluebird Scientific Name: Sialia sialis Comments: This male bluebird perched on a fence post by the road through the big pastures. More Information: All About Birds

Eastern Wood-Pewee – 6/21/25

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/21/25 Observation Time: 4:40 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Eastern Wood-Pewee Scientific Name: Contopus virens Comments: The unmistakable song of the wood-pewee (“pee-a-wee”) sounds like its name. It’s a member of the flycatcher family that is typically found in or near forested areas. I heard and then saw this one in the woods. You can find […]

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