Sightings – Page 45 – Sharon Friends of Conservation

Delta-Spotted Spiketail dragonfly – 6/15/13

Observer: Vin Zollo Observation Date: 6/15/13 Observation Time: 4:13 p.m. Observation Location: Power line cut along Moose Hill St. Common Name: Delta-spotted Spiketail dragonfly Scientific Name: Cordulegaster diastatops Comments: This one is teneral (wings are shiny), meaning that it recently emerged into adult form. This dragonfly gets its name from the delta-shaped (i.e.triangular) marks along its abdomen. More Information: iNaturalist.org

Definite Tussock Moth – 8/23/10

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 8/23/10 Observation Time: 6:53 p.m. Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Definite Tussock Moth Scientific Name: Orgyia definita Comments: This big moth got into the house. See: Moths of North America More Information: Bug Guide

Daisy Fleabane – 6/28/10

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/28/10 Observation Time: 1:55 p.m. Observation Location: 147 Wolomolopoag St., Sharon Common Name: Daisy Fleabane Scientific Name: Erigeron annuus Comments: Fleabanes get their common name from an old belief that they repelled fleas and other pestiferous insects. Early European settlers in North America stuffed mattresses with fleabane and hung clusters of plants in their cabins to drive out fleas. The […]

Daisy Fleabane – 7/23/09

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/23/09 Observation Time: 9:45 a.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Daisy Fleabane Scientific Name: Erigeron annuus Comments: Fleabanes get their common name from an old belief that they repelled fleas and other pestiferous insects. Early European settlers in North America stuffed mattresses with fleabane and hung clusters of plants in their cabins to drive out fleas. The custom […]

Curve-Toothed Geometer Moth – 6/2/14

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/2/14 Observation Time: 7:45 a.m. Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Rd. Common Name: Curve-toothed geometer moth Scientific Name: Eutrapela clemataria Comments: This big moth was perched on my windowsill. More Information: NatureSearch

Cross Orbweaver Spider – 10/5/12

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 10/5/12 Observation Time: 3:45 p.m. Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Cross Orbweaver spider Scientific Name: Araneus diadematus Comments: This common spider made a web right outside our garage door. More Information: Focusing on Wildlife

Crane Fly – 5/26/10

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/26/10 Observation Time: 5:20 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Common Name: Crane Fly Scientific Name: various Comments: These insects look scary but they don’t bite. More Information: Wikipedia

Crab Apple – 5/2/11

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/2/11 Observation Time: 4:45 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Common Name: Crab Apple Scientific Name: Pyrus baccata Comments: Red-tinged hairless leaves indicate this is may be a Siberian crab apple. More Information: Wikipedia

Cooper’s Hawk – 8/18/12

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 8/18/12 Observation Time: 5:20 p.m. Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Road (back yard) Common Name: Cooper’s hawk Scientific Name: Accipiter cooperii Comments: This Cooper’s hawk perched on a branch in my back yard, and I photographed it through the window. Note the rounded tail, which differentiates it from a sharp-shinned hawk. More Information: All About Birds

Cooper’s Hawk – 10/1/11

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 10/1/11 Observation Time: 9:10 a.m. Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Cooper’s hawk Scientific Name: Accipiter cooperii Comments: This juvenile female Cooper’s hawk alit in the dogwood tree right outside my living room window as I was working at my desk. Without getting up, I reached for my camera and snapped this photo through the window just before it flew away. Cooper’s […]

Common Spring Moth – 5/31/14

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/31/14 Observation Time: 4:05 p.m. Observation Location: field near Gavins Pond dam Common Name: Common Spring Moth Scientific Name: Heliomata cycladata Comments: Although the word “common” appears in its name, I have only seen this small but striking moth twice in Sharon. More Information: Bug Guide

Common Spring Moth – 6/5/11

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/5/11 Observation Time: 7:40 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Common Name: Common Spring Moth Scientific Name: Heliomata cycladata Comments: There are over 10,000 species of moths in North America. Identifying them can be a challenge, but there are some good online resources such as the BugGuide where you can get expert assistance for free. More Information: BugGuide

Common Greenshield Lichen – 7/17/10

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/17/10 Observation Time: 9:10 a.m. Observation Location: near Gavins Pond Common Name: Common Greenshield Lichen Scientific Name: Flavoparmelia caperata More Information: Wikipedia

Common Green Darner dragonfly – 8/13/13

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 8/13/13 Observation Time: 1:00 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond area Common Name: Common Green Darner dragonfly Scientific Name: Anax junius More Information: Idaho Museum of Natural History

Colorado Potato Beetle – 6/1/13

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/1/13 Observation Time: 4:00 p.m. Observation Location: Ward’s Berry Farm Common Name: Colorado Potato Beetle Scientific Name: Leptinotarsa decemlineata Comments: These striking beetles were eating eggplant leaves. Colorado potato beetles have developed resistance to all known classes of pesticides. More Information: Organic Garden Info

Cobbler Moth – 9/22/11

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 9/22/11 Observation Time: 3:05 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Dam Common Name: Cobbler moth Scientific Name: Condica sutor Comments: There are over 10,000 species of moths in North America. Identifying them can be a challenge, but there are some good online resources such as the Bug Guide. More Information: Bug Guide

Clover Looper Moth – 7/2/11

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/2/11 Observation Time: 2:45 p.m. Observation Location: Soccer field parking lot off Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Clover Looper Moth Scientific Name: Caenurgina crassiuscula Comments: This moth stopped to rest on the soccer field parking lot, allowing me to get close enough for this shot. I got the ID from bugguide.net. More Information: A Prairie Haven

Clouded Sulphur butterfly – 8/30/11

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 8/30/11 Observation Location: Gavins Pond Road by soccer field parking lot Common Name: Clouded Sulphur butterfly Scientific Name: Colias philodice Comments: This butterfly was hard to photograph because it would not hold still! Note the big green eyes and the spots on the wing. More Information: Wisconsin Butterflies

Monarch butterfly 9/24/14

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 9/24/14 Observation Time: 1:15 p.m. Observation Place: TTOR’s Moose Hill Farm (formerly the Kendall Estate) Common Name: Monarch Butterfly Scientific Name: Danaus plexippus Comments: With winter approaching, this monarch was nearing the end of its life. Monarchs make an epic, multi-generational migration. Check it out at the link below. More Information: National Geographic

Rabid Wolf Spider – 9/24/14

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 9/24/14 Observation Time: 11:20 a.m. Observation Place: TTOR’s Moose Hill Farm (formerly the Kendall Estate) Common Name: Rabid Wolf Spider Scientific Name: Rabidosa rabida Comments: This species doesn’t build webs to catch prey. Instead, they ambush or chase their prey at night. They then wrap their prey in silk. Note the egg sac in the photo below, which was taken in […]

Belted Kingfisher – 9/18/14

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 9/18/14 Observation Time: 2:50 p.m. Observation Place: near Lake Massapoag boat launching ramp Common Name: Belted Kingfisher Scientific Name: Megaceryle alcyon Comments: Belted kingfishers nest in a burrow, usually in a dirt bank near water. Their call is a distinctive, scolding chatter. Check out the recordings at the link below. More Information: All About Birds

Semipalmated Plover – 9/18/14

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 9/18/14 Observation Time: 2:48 p.m. Observation Place: near Lake Massapoag boat ramp Common Name: Semipalmated Plover Scientific Name: Charadrius semipalmatus Comments: Semipalmated plovers look something like killdeers, but they are smaller and stubbier, and have a single dark band instead of two dark bands like killdeers. Also, killdeers have a red eye ring, whereas semipalmated plovers eyes are black. More […]

Praying Mantis – 9/14/14

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 9/14/14 Observation Time: 10:00 a.m. Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Rd. Common Name: Praying Mantis Scientific Name: Mantis religiosa Comments: This praying mantis was almost 4″ long. It could be a descendant of praying mantises that hatched from eggs we mail-ordered and released in our garden years previously. More Information: Praying mantis love-making

Wood Frog – 9/13/14

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 9/13/14 Observation Time: 12:10 p.m. Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Rd. Common Name: Wood Frog Scientific Name: Rana sylvatica Comments: This amphibian lives in the woods and reproduces 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 out after the snow melts in early […]

Black-capped Chickadee – 6/4/10

Observer: Will Sweet Observation Date: 6/4/10 Observation Time: 4:30 p.m. Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Black-capped Chickadee Scientific Name: Poecile atricapillus Comments: This chickadee family was crowded into a nesting box. More Information: Whatbird.com

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