Category: Sightings

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/23/23 Observation Time: 8:45 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Worm-eating Warbler Scientific Name: Helmitheros vermivorum Comments: The worm-eating warbler is so-named because it eats caterpillars. It overwinters in Central America and Caribbean islands. Unlike most other warbler species that pass through Sharon on their spring and fall migrations to and from their breeding areas farther north, worm-eating warblers only […]

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/23/23 Observation Time: 8:45 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon WIldlife Sanctuary Common Name: Gray Catbird Scientific Name: Dumetella carolinensis Comments: Catbirds are one of three mimics in our area. Mockingbirds and Brown Thrashers are the other two. Catbirds repeat sounds just once, whereas Brown Thrashers repeat sounds twice, and Mockingbirds repeat them three or four times before moving on to the next […]

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/23/23 Observation Time: 8:40 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon WIldlife Sanctuary Common Name: Indigo Bunting Scientific Name: Passerina cyanea Comments: Indigo Buntings are actually black; the diffraction of light through their feathers makes them look blue. This explains why males can appear as various hues from turquoise to black. Indigo buntings are more common now than when the pilgrims […]

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/23/23 Observation Time: 8:00 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Northern Waterthrush Scientific Name: Parkesia noveboracensis Comments: The northern waterthrush is actually a type of warbler. It looks a lot like an ovenbird, which is also a warbler. This one was seen along the boardwalk through the wetlands at Moose Hill. More Information: All About Birds

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/23/23 Observation Time: 6:20 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Bay-breasted Warbler Scientific Name: Setophaga castanea Comments: Bay-breasted warblers migrate through Sharon in May en route to their summertime breeding areas in Canada. They eat insects and spiders to keep up their energy during the long flight. Even for experienced bird watchers, bay-breasted warblers are an unusual find. […]

Observer: Daniel O’Brien Observation Date: 5/20/23 Observation Time: 9:00 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Brewster’s Warbler (hybrid) Scientific Name: Vermivora chrysoptera x cyanoptera  Comments: Brewster’s warblers are actually a hybrid between golden-winged warblers and blue-winged warblers. These two species are 99.7% alike genetically. More Information: All About Birds

Observer: Daniel O’Brien Observation Date: 5/20/23 Observation Time: 8:30 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Tennessee Warbler Scientific Name: Leiothlypis peregrina Comments: This warbler was spotted in a tree near the giant sugar maples known as George & Martha. More Information: All About Birds

Observer: Josh Simons Observation Date: 5/18/23 Observation Time: 2:40 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary (intersection of Deer and Kettle trails) Common Name: Veery Scientific Name: Catharus fuscescens Comments: Check out the veery’s ethereal song at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cK1gaTqBRRk More Information: All About Birds

Observer: Josh Simons Observation Date: 5/18/23 Observation Time: 2:30 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary (Field Loop) Common Name: House Wren Scientific Name: Troglodytes aedon Comments: House wrens often fill bluebird nesting boxes chock full of twigs, presumably to prevent other birds from nesting in their territory. More Information: All About Birds.org

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/18/23 Observation Time: 9:00 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Scarlet Tanager (female) Scientific Name: Piranga olivacea Comments: Scarlet tanagers are common in Sharon, but few people see these brilliantly colored birds because they live in the woods where they are concealed by foliage. If you learn their song, which sounds like a robin with a sore throat, you […]

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/18/23 Observation Time: 8:40 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Canada Warbler Scientific Name: Cardellina canadensis Comments: Canada Warblers migrate through Sharon in mid-May. They have a distinctive black collar and a white eye-ring. More Information: All About Birds

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/18/23 Observation Time: 6::25 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Blackburnian Warbler Scientific Name: Setophaga fusca Comments: These gorgeous warblers 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: 5/18/23 Observation Time: 6:15 p.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 […]

Observer: Josh Simons Observation Date: 5/17/23 Observation Time: 12:30 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Parkway Common Name: Ruby-throated Hummingbird Scientific Name: Archilochus colubris Comments: The throat of the hummingbird in the photo looks black, but when it catches the sunlight it flashes bright red. Ruby-throated hummingbirds are the only species of hummingbird commonly seen in New England. They overwinter in Costa Rica. When they migrate […]

Observer: Will Sweet Observation Date: 5/17/23 Observation Time: 10:00 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Hooded Warbler Scientific Name: Setophaga citrina Comments: Hooded warblers are typically not found in Massachusetts. The northern extent of their range is reportedly southern Connecticut and Rhode Island. See: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Hooded_Warbler/maps-range It will be interesting to see if this sighting is a harbinger of a northward shift in […]