Category: Sightings

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/15/15 Observation Time: 7:15 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Blackburnian Warbler Scientific Name: Setophaga fusca Comments: This photo does not do justice to these gorgeous warblers, which overwinter in South America. They tend to flit about high in tall trees, making them a challenge to photograph. More Information: All About Birds

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/14/15 Observation Time: 7:00 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Black-billed Cuckoo Scientific Name: Coccyzus erythropthalmus Comments: We heard this cuckoo before someone in our group spotted it. They tend to sit quietly on a branch, so the absence of movement makes them hard to find. Black-billed cuckoos have distinctive red eyes. More Information: All About Birds

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/14/15 Observation Time: 6:45 Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Baltimore Oriole Scientific Name: Icterus galbula Comments: Baltimore orioles are among the most brightly colored birds found in Sharon. They weave remarkable hanging nests. More Information: All About Birds  

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/13/15 Observation Time: 11:25 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Yellow-rumped Warbler Scientific Name: Setophaga coronata Comments: I got these photos standing underneath a flowering crabapple tree. The blossoms attracted insects, which in turn attracted insectivorous warblers that needed fuel to continue their migration. More Information: All About Birds

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/13/15 Observation Time: 11:10 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Black-throated Green Warbler Scientific Name: Setophaga virens Comments: The call of this warbler sounds like: “zee-zee-zee-zoo-zee.”  It migrates through Sharon in May. I got these photos standing underneath a flowering crabapple tree. The blossoms attracted insects, which in turn attracted insectivorous warblers. More Information: All About Birds

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/13/15 Observation Time: 9:35 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: American Goldfinch Scientific Name: Spinus tristis Comments: One of Sharon’s most striking – and most common – songbirds. Goldfinches are frequent visitors to bird feeders. More Information: Audubon Guide to N. American Birds

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/6/15 Observation Time: 3:41 p.m. Observation Location: soccer field parking lot near Gavins Pond Common Name: Savannah Sparrow Scientific Name: Passerculus sandwichensis Comments: Savannah sparrows are often seen in flocks feeding on the ground. More Information: All About Birds http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Savannah_Sparrow/sounds  

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/6/15 Observation Time: 3:38 p.m. Observation Location: near Gavins Pond Common Name: Warbling Vireo Scientific Name: Vireo gilvus Comments: Warbling vireos are often found near water. More Information: All About Birds

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/6/15 Observation Time: 3:30 p.m. Observation Location: field near Gavins Pond Common Name: Eastern Towhee Scientific Name: Pipilo erythrophthalmus Comments: The Eastern Towhee is our largest sparrow. Its song can be remembered easily because it sounds like it is singing, “Drink your tea.” More Information: All About Birds     

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/6/15 Observation Time: 3:25 p.m. Observation Location: field near Gavins Pond Common Name: Prairie Warbler Scientific Name: Setophaga discolor Comments: This striking yellow and black warbler has a high-pitched trill that ascends. It can be seen in open fields and under power lines all summer in Sharon. More Information: All About Birds  

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/6/15 Observation Time: 2:30 p.m. Observation Location: tree near Gavins Pond Common Name: Baltimore Oriole Scientific Name: Icterus galbula Comments: I heard this oriole’s flutelike call before I spotted it. You can listen to a recording of an oriole’s song at: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Baltimore_Oriole/sounds    

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/3/15 Observation Time: 1:55 p.m. Observation Location: field near Gavins Pond Common Name: Eastern Bluebird Scientific Name: Sialia sialis Comments: I found a couple of sky-blue eggs in one of the nesting boxes near Gavins Pond. Then I saw the parents. As I was snapping photos of the male bluebird, it suddenly stretched out its wing. A moment later it was gone. More Information: National Audubon […]

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/19/15 Observation Time: 4:50 p.m. Observation Location: field near Gavins Pond Common Name: Field Sparrow Scientific Name: Spizella pusilla Comments: The song of the field sparrow is a series of chirps that gets progressively more rapid like a bouncing ping-pong ball. Check it out at: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Field_Sparrow/sounds