Sightings – Page 30 – Sharon Friends of Conservation

Wood Frog – 4/13/19

Observer: Richard Kramer Observation Date: 4/13/19 Observation Time: midnight Observation Location: Moose Hill Street near TTOR’s Moose Hill Farm Common Name: Wood Frog Scientific Name: Rana sylvatica Comments: As their name implies, wood frogs live in the woods and reproduce in vernal pools. Listen to the recording of the quacking sound it makes at the Wikipedia link below so you can recognize it when they thaw […]

Yellow Spotted Salamander – 4/13/19

Observer: Richard Kramer Observation Date: 4/13/19 Observation Time: midnight Observation Location: Moose Hill Street near Kendall Estate Common Name: Yellow Spotted Salamander Scientific Name: Ambystoma maculatum Comments: To see a variety of frog and salamander species on the first rainy night after the snow melts in late March or early April, take an umbrella and a flashlight, and walk down Moose Hill Street near TTOR’s Moose Hill Farm . That’s when mole […]

Red-tailed Hawk – 4/3/19

Observer: Ilan Fisher Observation Date: 4/3/19 Observation Time: 2:00 PM Observation Location: Junction of E. Foxboro St. & Harding St. Common Name: Red-tailed Hawk Scientific Name: Buteo jamaicensis Comments: Red-tails are big, but they only weigh a maximum of about 3 lbs. They can live up to 30 years. They feed predominantly on small mammals. More Information: All About Birds

Red-shouldered Hawk – 2/11/19

Observer: Richard Kramer Observation Date: 2/11/19 Observation Time: 10:30 a.m. Observation Location: west side of Lake Massapoag near the Atlantic White Cedar Swamp Common Name: Red-shouldered Hawk Scientific Name: Buteo lineatus Comments: One of the best ways to find Red-shouldered Hawks is to learn their distinctive whistle. Listen for these birds in and around wet forests, where you may find them hunting from a perch along stream […]

White Pine – 12/20/18

Observer: Deborah Radovsky Observation Date: 12/20/18 Observation Time: early morning Observation Location: Conservation trail near the lake (dog park trail) Common Name: White Pine Scientific Name: Pinus strobus Comments: White pines can live over 500 years and grow to more than 150 feet tall. More Information: Wikipedia O

Pine Siskin – 12/15/18

Observer: Deb Radovsky Observation Date: 12/15/18 Observation Time: morning Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary (near feeders) Common Name: Pine Siskin Scientific Name: Spinus pinus Comments: Every couple of years, Pine Siskins make unpredictable movements called irruptions into southern and eastern North America. Though they’re erratic, these movements may not be entirely random. Banding data suggest that some birds may fly west-east across the continent […]

Osprey – 12/6/2018

Observer: Michael Scutari Acciavatti Observation Date: 12/6/2018 Observation Location: Prescott Pond, Lakwood Drive, Stoughton Common Name: Osprey Scientific Name: Pandion haliaetus Comments: Ospreys can also be seen in Sharon. They are most commonly seen over a lake or pond, where they dive for fish. More Information: Wikipedia

Red-throated Loon – 12/3/18

Observer: Deborah Radovsky Observation Date: 12/3/18 Observation time: 9:30 a.m. Observation Location: Lake Massapoag, swimming very close to shore Common Name: Red-throated Loon Scientific Name: Gavia stellata Comments: Adult, non-breeding plummage. Breeds in the arctic. More information: Wikipedia

Red-breasted Nuthatch – 12/3/18

Observer: Deborah Radovsky Observation Date: 12/3/18 Observation Time: 9:10 a.m. Observation Location: on trail in woods, near Sharon dog park Common Name: Red-breasted Nuthatch Scientific Name: Sitta canadensis Comments: There have been flocks of these for weeks in these woods, more than I have ever observed over many years, possibly due to plentiful food sources. Note that the population of red-breasted nuthatches is shifting northward, according to the […]

Bald-faced Hornet – Nov., 2018

Observer: Richard Mandell Observation Date: November, 2018 Observation Time: N/A Observation Location: 280 Mountain Street Common Name: Bald-faced Hornet Scientific Name: Dolichovespula maculata Comments: The bald-faced hornet is related to yellowjacket wasps, and is not a true hornet. Its colloquial names include bald hornet, white-faced hornet, white-tailed hornet, spruce wasp, blackjacket, and bull wasp. Bald-faced hornets are social insects and are most active during the […]

Bald Eagle – 11/30/18

Observer: Todd Arnold Observation Date: 11/30/18 Observation Time: 10:45 a.m. Observation Location: Lake Massapoag Common Name: Bald Eagle Scientific Name: Haliaeetus leucocephalus Comments: Large bird with white head and tail feathers spotted over Lake Massapoag. Unquestionably a bald eagle, it was seen riding the thermals before the clouds rolled in and covered the sun. Could this one be scouting a good spot to nest? Or was […]

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

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