Sightings – Page 47 – Sharon Friends of Conservation

Big Brown Bat – 11/12/12

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 11/12/12 Observation Time: 5:30 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Dam Common Name: Big Brown Bat Scientific Name: Eptesicus fuscus Comments: New England has little brown bats and big brown bats. Little brown bats are only found in New England in summer. Since these bats were observed in mid-November, they are presumably big brown bats. Bats fly fast, so getting these photos was not […]

Beach Rose – 6/2/11

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/2/11 Observation Time: 1:00 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Road near soccer field parking lot Common Name: Beach Rose Scientific Name: Rosa rugosa More Information: University of Rhode Island

Barn Swallow – 5/29/14

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/29/14 Observation Time: 12:35 p.m. Observation Location: stone hut by Upper Leach Pond at Borderland State Park Common Name: Barn Swallow Scientific Name: Hirundo rustica Comments: Barn swallows are passerine birds, which includes more than half of all bird species. A passerine bird has three toes pointing forward and one back. This facilitates perching. The passerines form one of the most diverse terrestrial […]

Banded Net-Winged Beetle – 8/6/11

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 8/6/11 Observation Time: 8:10 a.m. Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Road (back yard) Common Name: Banded Net-Winged Beetle Scientific Name: Calopteron discrepans Comments: This colorful beetle is found throughout the eastern U.S. Its bright color and contrast warn predators that they taste bad if eaten. More Information: University of Florida

Baltimore Oriole – 5/10/12

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/10/12 Observation Time: 7:00 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Dam Common Name: Baltimore Oriole Scientific Name: Icterus galbula Comments: First I heard the flutelike call, and then I spotted the brilliant orange oriole in an oak tree just pushing out its first leaves of spring. Even though it was 7:00 p.m. and the sun was low, the bird fairly glowed. I wonder how […]

Baltimore Oriole – 5/14/14

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/14/14 Observation Time: 2:20 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Baltimore Oriole Scientific Name: Icterus galbula Comments: Orioles weave a unique hanging nest. More Information: All About Birds

Baltimore Oriole – 11/21/12

Observer: Josh Simons Observation Date: 11/21/12 Observation Time: 9:00 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill area Common Name: Baltimore Oriole Scientific Name: Icterus galbula Comments: I’m told this is an immature male oriole. Unusual to see in November. More Information: All About Birds

Aurora Damsel – 6/21/10

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/21/10 Observation Time: 10:40 a.m. Observation Location: Beaver Brook near tennis courts Common Name: Aurora Damsel Scientific Name: Chromagrion conditum Comments: When perched, the aurora damsel keeps its wings spread, unlike other damselflies that fold their wings above their abdomens. More Information: Visiting Nature

Appalachian Brown Butterfly – 6/19/13

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/19/13 Observation Time: 4:50 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond area Common Name: Appalachian Brown Butterfly Scientific Name: Satyrodes appalachia Comments: Easily confused with Eyed Brown Butterfly (Satyrodes eurydice). See: http://www.naba.org/chapters/nabambc/frames-2species.asp?sp1=Satyrodes-eurydice&sp2=Satyrodes-appalachia More Information: Mass Audubon

American Toad – 5/26/14

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/26/14 Observation Time: 11:50 p.m. Observation Location: Borderland State Park Common Name: American Toad Scientific Name: Anaxyrus americanus Comments: Toads eat insects, so whenever I find one, I release it in my garden. More Information: Wikipedia

American Robin (leucistic) – 6/22/14

Observer: James Berkland Observation Date: 6/20/14 Observation Location: 161 Upland Street Common Name: American Robin (leucistic) Scientific Name: Turdus migratorius More Information: All About Birds: Color Variations

American Crow (mutant) – 12/12/09

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 12/12/09 Observation Time: 11:40 a.m. Observation Location: Wolomolopoag Street (Ward’s Barry Farm) Common Name: American Crow (mutant) Scientific Name: Corvus brachyrhynchos Comments: This mutant crow has a few white feathers mingled among the normally black feathers. More Information: All About Birds: White Crow

American Copper Butterfly – 5/21/14

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/21/14 Observation Time: 1:20 p.m. Observation Location: field near Gavins Pond dam Common Name: American Copper Butterfly Scientific Name: Lycaena phlaeas Comments: Like many small butterflies, the American copper is a stunning sight when viewed up close. More Information: Butterflies and Moths

American Copper Butterfly – 10/18/12

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 10/18/12 Observation Time: 2:15 p.m. Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Road (front yard) Common Name: American Copper Butterfly Scientific Name: Lycaena phlaeas Comments: This small but colorful butterfly can be seen all summer and into the fall. More Information: Butterflies and Moths

American Copper Butterfly – 5/12/12

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/12/12 Observation Time: 6:00 p.m. Observation Location: Furnace St. under high tension wires Common Name: American Copper Butterfly Scientific Name: Lycaena phlaeas Comments: This individual was chasing another to mate. More Information: Butterflies and Moths

American Black Duck – 12/17/11

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 12/17/11 Observation Time: 11:40 a.m. Observation Location: Sawmill Pond Common Name: American Black Duck Scientific Name: Anas rubripes Comments: This pair of black ducks mingled with some Canada geese and mallards. Shooting photos of this pair reminded me of my grandfather, who lived on Cape Cod and used to shoot black ducks for food during the first half of the twentieth […]

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Tiger Swallowtail butterfly – 7/25/14

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/25/14 Observation Time: 3:20 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Dam Common Name: Tiger Swallowtail butterfly Scientific Name: Papilio glaucus Comments: This butterfly posed nicely on a thistle blossom. More Information: Wikipedia

Gray Fox – 7/24/10

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/24/10 Observation Time: 8:20 p.m. Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Gray Fox Scientific Name: Urocyon cinereoargenteus Comments: I saw a small, gray-colored fox with a huge bushy tail at dusk (no photo opportunity). More Information: Wikipedia

American Eel – 7/21/14

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/21/14 Observation Time: 10:15 a.m. Observation Location: Billings Brook below the Gavins Pond Dam Common Name: American eel Scientific Name: Anguilla rostrata Comments: American eels spawn in the Sargasso Sea in the Atlantic Ocean. The larval eels, called glass eels because they are transparent, drift with the Gulf Stream up the east coast. They eventually metmorphose into worm-sized black elvers, which swim up […]

Great Blue Heron – 7/20/14

Observer: Ilan Fisher Observation Date: 7/20/14 Observation Time: 12:00 p.m. Observation Location: Massapoag Ave/Community center Common Name: Great Blue Heron Scientific Name: Ardea herodias Comments: Probably checking out Sucker Brook, which flows into Lake Massapoag nearby, for a snack. More Information: All About Birds

Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly – 7/6/14

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/6/14 Observation Time: 1:45 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond area near soccer parking area Common Name: Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly Scientific Name: Papilio troilus Comments: This spicebush swallowtail butterfly was observed feeding on milkweed flowers. Note that spicebush swallowtail butterflies are very similar to black swallowtail butterflies. Learn how to tell the difference at: http://www.naba.org/chapters/nabambc/frames-2species.asp?sp1=Papilio-polyxenes&sp2=Papilio-troilus

Deptford Pink – 7/6/14

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/6/14 Observation Time: 12:45 p.m. Observation Location: near Gavins Pond Common Name: Deptford Pink Scientific Name: Dianthus armeria Comments:The Deptford pink is a European species, introduced and widespread in North America. Its name refers to the English town near London in which this species was formerly common. More Information: Go Botany

Common Grackle – 6/30/14

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/30/2014 Observation Time: 3:50 pm Observation Location: near Gavins Pond Common Name: Common Grackle Scientific Name: Quiscalus quiscula Comments: You might see a Common Grackle hunched over on the ground, wings spread, letting ants crawl over its body and feathers. This is called anting, and grackles are frequent practitioners among the many bird species that do it. The ants secrete formic acid, the […]

Ruby-throated Hummingbird – 6/16/14

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/16/14 Observation Time: 6:45 p.m. Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Rd. Common Name: Ruby-throated Hummingbird Scientific Name: Archilochus colubris Comments: Ruby-throated hummingbirds migrate all the way from New England to Central America and back every year – a journey of about 2,500 miles including 500 miles over the Gulf of Mexico. They can live up to 10 years, so they […]

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