Sightings grid
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 it just looking for something in the lake to eat?
More Information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bald_eagle
Observer: Alison Siegel
Observation Date: 12/20/09
Observation Time: noon
Observation Location: Lakeview St.
Common Name: Bald Eagle
Scientific Name: Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Comments: While drinking hot chocolate after a morning of sledding, four of us clearly saw a bald eagle fly over our backyard. It was flying from Lake Massapoag toward the woods.
More Information: All About Birds: Bald Eagle
Observer: Bonnie Tate
Observation Date: 12/30/13
Observation Time: 3:00 p.m.
Observation Location: Massapoag
Common Name: Bald Eagle
Scientific Name: Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Comments: Eating carrion on the lake just beyond Pond St. on Massapoag Ave.
More Information: Boidnoise: Adult Bald Eagle Call
Observer: Ken Weiner
Observation Date: 2/19/10
Observation Time: 2:00 p.m.
Observation Location: Chessman Drive, Sharon
Common Name: Bald Eagle
Scientific Name: Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Comments: Definite ID from about 200 ft away. Eagle was flying. Possibly a second eagle further away. Did not get picture.
More Information: All About Birds: Bald Eagle
Observer: Ilan Fisher
Observation Date: 2/24/09
Observation Time: 3:00 p.m.
Observation Location: Lake Massapoag
Common Name: Bald Eagle
Scientific Name: Haliaeetus leucocephalus
More Information: All About Birds: Bald Eagle
Observer: Carol Moawed
Observation Date: 3/20/13
Observation Time: 11:15 a.m.
Observation Location: Massapoag, near entrance to community
center
Common Name: Bald Eagle
Scientific Name: Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Comments: He was flying down near the edge of lake, it looked like he was going after something on the edge of the lake. I was shocked and thrilled to see him.
More Information: Boidnoise: Adult Bald Eagle Call
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 4/2/11
Observation Time: 4:15 p.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond soccer field parking lot
Common Name: Bald Eagle
Scientific Name: Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Comments: Adult with white head and tail. Very distinctive!
More Information: Boidnoise: Adult Bald Eagle Call
Observer: Richard Kramer
Observation Date: 6/4/19
Observation Time: noon
Observation Location: Lake Massapoag
Common Name: Bald Eagle
Scientific Name: Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Comments: Bald eagles can live a long time. The oldest recorded bird in the wild was at least 38 years old when it was hit and killed by a car in New York in 2015. It had been banded in the same state in 1977.
The largest bald eagle nest on record, in St. Petersburg, Florida, was 2.9 meters in diameter and 6.1 meters tall. Another famous nest—in Vermilion, Ohio—was shaped like a wine glass and weighed almost two metric tons. It was used for 34 years until the tree blew down.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Ilan Fisher
Observation Date: 2/18/09
Observation Time: Early afternoon
Observation Location: Lake Massapoag across from Arboro Drive
Common Name: Bald Eagle & Deer
Scientific Name: Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Comments: A young bald eagle feeds on a deer carcass on the ice.
More Information: All About Birds: Bald Eagle
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/30/20
Observation Time: 4:30 p.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR)
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 day. They live in colonies of up to 700 members. Bald-faced hornets build paper carton nests in the area of the queen’s choosing, typically three or more feet off the ground, and usually in trees, shrubs, on overhangs, utility poles, houses, sheds or other structures. These nests can be as large as 14 inches in diameter and more than 24 inches in length. The individual in the photos below seemed to be chewing at the dead wood – perhaps to make nest-building wood pulp.
Bald-faced hornets usually appear in late summer. Males emerge from unfertilized eggs and impregnate the new females for the next season at the end of the summer. The inseminated insects are the only ones that overwinter, while the remaining members of the nest die off, and the process repeats the next spring and summer. Unlike other stinging insects, bald-faced hornets do not reuse their nests season after season. The new colony members rebuild them each year from new materials.
Bald-faced hornets are aggressive and will attack anyone who invades their space, unlike other stinging insects that only rarely sting when they feel threatened. Removal of a bald-faced hornet nest is dangerous, and should be left to a professional. These hornets have smooth stingers, so they can sting repeatedly, whereas other stinging insects, like honeybees, are only able to attack once before their stinger falls off.
More Information: Wikipedia
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 day. They live in colonies of up to 700 members. Bald-faced hornets build paper carton nests in the area of the queen’s choosing, typically three or more feet off the ground, and usually in trees, shrubs, on overhangs, utility poles, houses, sheds or other structures. These nests can be as large as 14 inches in diameter and more than 24 inches in length.
Bald-faced hornets usually appear in late summer. Males emerge from unfertilized eggs and impregnate the new females for the next season at the end of the summer. The inseminated insects are the only ones that overwinter, while the remaining members of the nest die off, and the process repeats the next spring and summer. Unlike other stinging insects, bald-faced hornets do not reuse their nests season after season. The new colony members rebuild them each year from new materials.
Bald-faced hornets are aggressive and will attack anyone who invades their space, unlike other stinging insects that only rarely sting when they feel threatened. Removal of a bald-faced hornet nest is dangerous, and should be left to a professional. These hornets have smooth stingers, so they can sting repeatedly, whereas other stinging insects, like honeybees, are only able to attack once before their stinger falls off.
More Information: Wikipedia
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 6/25/15
Observation Time: 2:00 p.m.
Observation Location: Town-owned land at Morse and Lakeview Streets
Common Name: Baltimore Checkerspot butterfly
Scientific Name: Euphydryas phaeton
Comments: This field experienced a population explosion of Baltimore Checkerspot butterflies. All phases could be found at the same time: eggs, caterpillars, chrysalises and adults.
More Information: Massachusetts Butterfly Club
Eggs:
Caterpillar:
Caterpillar weaving cocoon:
Chrysalis:
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 7/7/18
Observation Time: 2:35 p.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR)
Common Name: Baltimore Checkerspot butterfly
Scientific Name: Euphydryas phaeton
Comments: I saw just one Baltimore checkerspot among other butterfly species feeding on dogbane blossoms.
More Information: Massachusetts Butterfly Club
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
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 such a gaudy creature manages to escape the notice of hawks.
Orioles weave hanging nests, and feed on fruit, nectar and insects. They have a counterpart in the tropics called a troupial, which is slightly larger, but sings an uncannily similar song.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Josh Simons
Observation Date: 5/12/20
Observation Time: 3:00 p.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill area
Common Name: Baltimore Oriole
Scientific Name: Icterus galbula
Comments: The oriole’s flutelike call is quite distinctive, once you know what to listen for.
More Information: All About Birds
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
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: 5/26/19
Observation Time: 3:40 p.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (formerly the Kendall Estate)
Common Name: Baltimore Oriole
Scientific Name: Icterus galbula
Comments: I heard this oriole’s flutelike call before I spotted it.
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: 5/13/19
Observation Time: 7:00 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Baltimore Oriole (female)
Scientific Name: Icterus galbula
Comments: Baltimore oriole females are much drabber than the bright-orange males. This acrobatic individual seemed to be eating the petals of this flowering crabapple tree.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/16/20
Observation Time: 7:35 a.m.
Observation Location: parking area at Gavins Pond soccer fields
Common Name: Baltimore Oriole (female)
Scientific Name: Icterus galbula
Comments: I spotted this female oriole as I was about to get into the car and leave. Nature finds you if you spend time outside, especially in a town like Sharon with plenty of natural open spaces and trails.
The oriole’s flutelike call is quite distinctive, once you know what to listen for.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/12/16
Observation Time: 7:50 a.m.
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: 5/19/20
Observation Time: 11:10 a.m.
Observation Location: under the high tension lines across the street from the Gavins Pond soccer fields
Common Name: Baltimore Oriole
Scientific Name: Icterus galbula
Comments: The oriole’s flutelike call is quite distinctive, once you know what to listen for.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 7/4/13
Observation Time: 8:30 a.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond area
Common Name: Band-winged Meadowhawk dragonfly
Scientific Name: Sympetrum semicinctum
More Information: Wikipedia
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 6/26/15
Observation Time: 4:30 p.m.
Observation Location: Town-owned land at Morse and Lakeview Streets
Common Name: Banded Hairstreak butterfly
Scientific Name: Satyrium calanus
Comments: This small butterfly was feeding on milkweed blossoms. Banded hairstreaks are very similar to striped hairstreaks. The blue marginal spot on the hind wing is capped with orange in the striped hairstreak but not in the banded hairstreak.
More Information: Massachusetts Butterfly Club
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
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 vertebrate orders, with over 5,000 identified species.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Randi Simons
Observation Date: 11/14/08
Observation Time: Mid-afternoon
Observation Location: Moose Hill Parkway, Mass. Audubon conservation land
Common Name: Barred Owl
Scientific Name: Strix varia
Comments: This owl sat on a branch close to the road for an hour or more, not bothered by people watching close by or by chickadees constantly scolding.
More Information: Cornell Lab of Ornithology “All About Birds”
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/15/20
Observation Time: 7:45 a.m.
Observation Location: conservation land near Lakeview & Morse
Common Name: Barred Owl
Scientific Name: Strix varia
Comments: A common owl in Sharon, the barred owl’s vocalization sounds like, “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all?”
Barred Owls don’t migrate, and they don’t even move around very much. Of 158 birds that were banded and then found later, none had moved farther than 6 miles away.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Nancy Mollitor
Observation Date: 5/8/16
Observation Time: morning
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Barred Owl (juvenile)
Scientific Name: Strix varia
Comments: A common owl in Sharon, the barred owl’s vocalization sounds like, “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all?”
Barred Owls don’t migrate, and they don’t even move around very much. Of 158 birds that were banded and then found later, none had moved farther than 6 miles away.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/24/18
Observation Time: 6:30 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. They are typically seen high up in tall trees, making good photos of them especially challenging. Populations of bay-breasted warbler appear to be decreasing throughout their range. The U.S. has seen a decline of almost 3% per year between 1966 and 2014, resulting in a cumulative decline of 74%, according to the North American Breeding Bird Survey.
More Information: All About Birds and American Bird Conservancy
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
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 9/4/20
Observation Time: 2:15 p.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR)
Common Name: Bee fly
Scientific Name: Systropus macer
Comments: This fly looks like a wasp. It was feeding on a late purple aster blossom beside the dirt road under the power lines.
More Information: Forestry Images and Bugguide.net
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
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 8/3/10
Observation Time: 9:30 a.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond
Common Name: Belted Kingfisher
Scientific Name: Megaceryle alcyon
Comments: A pair of belted kingfishers were diving simultaneously several times into Gavins Pond. The bottom photo shows the splash of the kingfisher diving in.
Kingfishers nest in burrows on the banks of ponds and rivers.
More Information: University of Massachusetts
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
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 9/9/13
Observation Time: 2:05 p.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond Dam
Common Name: Belted Kingfisher
Scientific Name: Megaceryle alcyon
Comments: These charismatic birds dive for fish. Believe it or not, they nest in burrows on the banks of streams and ponds.
More Information: University of Massachusetts
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 easy!
More Information: Mass Audubon
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 6/9/20
Observation Time: 2:00 p.m.
Observation Location: near soccer parking lot on Gavins Pond Road
Common Name: Bigtooth Aspen Tree
Scientific Name: Populus grandidentata
Comments: Bigtooth Aspen (Populusgrandidentata) is a native deciduous tree, which grows throughout northeastern North America. It is a member of the willow family. A fast-growing, but short-lived, pioneer species, Bigtooth Aspen attains heights of 60 to 80 feet.
More Information: WildAdirondacks.org
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/12/11
Observation Time: 8:15 a.m.
Observation Location: meadow near Gavins Pond dam
Common Name: Bird’s Foot Violet
Scientific Name: Viola pedata
Comments: The leaves of this pretty wildflower are reminiscent of bird’s feet. Not a common violet locally, only one site in Blue Hills. Likes dry sandy soils; has also been spotted in woods north of Knollwood Cemetery in Sharon.
More Information: US Wildflowers Database (USDA)
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/19/20
Observation Time: 9:20 a.m.
Observation Location: near Gavins Pond
Common Name: Bird’s Foot Violet
Scientific Name: Viola pedata
Comments: Bird-foot violets are perennials with five-petaled flowers that bloom from March to June. The flowers are typically blue, but can range from white to purple. They spread by sending out rhizomes. The fan-shaped leaves have three lobes which are said to resemble a bird’s feet.
More Information: US Wildflowers Database (USDA)
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/27/19
Observation Time: 4:40 p.m.
Observation Location: Power lines near Walpole St.
Common Name: Bird’s Foot Violet
Scientific Name: Viola pedata
Comments: Bird-foot violets are perennials with five-petaled flowers that bloom from March to June. The flowers are typically blue, but can range from white to purple. They spread by sending out rhizomes. The fan-shaped leaves have three lobes which are said to resemble a bird’s feet.
More Information: US Wildflowers Database (USDA)
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/30/14
Observation Time: 12:05 p.m.
Observation Location: Power lines near Walpole St.
Common Name: Bird’s Foot Violet
Scientific Name: Viola pedata
Comments: Bird-foot violets are perennials with five-petaled flowers that bloom from March to June. The flowers are typically blue, but can range from white to purple. They spread by sending out rhizomes. The fan-shaped leaves have three lobes which are said to resemble bird feet.
More Information: US Wildflowers Database (USDA)
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 6/6/11
Observation Time: 1:40 p.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond Road (bridge near soccer
fields)
Common Name: Bittersweet Nightshade
Scientific Name: Solanum dulcamara
More Information: King County, WA
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/11/19
Observation Time: 10:30 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Black-and-white Warbler
Scientific Name: Mniotilta varia
Comments: Black and white warblers make a high-pitched squeaking sound like a turning wheel that needs to be oiled. They are most often found scurrying up and down tree trunks and branches looking under the bark for insect larvae. The one in the photo has caught its breakfast.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/13/14
Observation Time: 7:35 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Black and White Warbler
Scientific Name: Mniotilta varia
Comments: Black and white warblers are usually seen moving up and down tree trunks looking for bugs under the bark.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/3/18
Observation Time: 8:40 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Black and White Warbler
Scientific Name: Mniotilta varia
Comments: Black and white warblers are usually seen moving up and down tree trunks looking for bugs under the bark.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/16/13
Observation Time: 7:30 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Black and White Warbler (female)
Scientific Name: Mniotilta varia
Comments: Black and white warblers creep along tree trunks and branches foraging for insects. Their high-pitched squeaky song sounds like a wheel turning that needs to be oiled.
More Information: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black-and-white_Warbler/overview
Observer: Regen Jamieson
Observation Date: 8/11/09
Observation Location: Moose Hill in the meadow at the end of the “unnatural trail”.
Common Name: Black and Yellow Garden Spider
Scientific Name: Argiope aurantia
Comments: Males range from 5 to 9 mm; females from 19 to 28 mm. Like other members of Argiope they are considered harmless to humans.The female of the species grows much larger than the male. Females have large rounded bodies that may grow to 40 mm (1 1/2 inches), excluding the legs. If the length of the legs is added, the female can reach 75 mm (3″) in diameter. Males are thin-bodied and only 20 mm (¾”) long. Garden Spiders often build webs in areas adjacent to open sunny fields where they stay concealed and protected from the wind. The spider can also be found along the eaves of houses and outbuildings or in any tall vegetation where they can securely stretch a web. The circular part of the female’s web may reach two feet in diameter. Webs are built at elevations from two to eight feet off the ground. Female Argiope aurantia spiders tend to be somewhat local, often staying in one place throughout much of their lifetime. After mating, the male dies, and is sometimes then eaten by the female. She lays her eggs at night on a sheet of silky material, then covers them with another layer of silk, then a protective brownish silk. She then uses her legs to form the sheet into a ball with an upturned neck. Egg sacs range from 5/8″ to 1″ in diameter. She often suspends the egg sac right on her web, near the center where she spends most of her time. Each spider produces from one to four sacs with perhaps over a thousand eggs inside each. She guards the eggs against predation as long as she is able. However, as the weather cools, she becomes more frail, and dies around the time of the first hard frost. (from Wikipedia)
More Information: Animal Diversity Web
