Sightings grid
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 6/7/14
Observation Time: 12:40 p.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond Dam
Common Name: Tetragnatha Spider
Scientific Name: Tetragnatha sp.
Comments: Typically found near ponds and wetlands.
More Information: Wikipedia
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 4/7/14
Observation Time: 11:55 a.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond area (field near dam)
Common Name:“The Infant” moth
Scientific Name: Archiearis infans
Comments: “Infans” is a Latin word meaning “an infant”; refers to the adult’s early emergence from a pupa in the spring, and is the basis for the common names “The Infant” and “First-born Geometer.”
More Information: BugGuide
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 7/7/18
Observation Time: 1:45 p.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR)
Common Name: Thick-headed Fly
Scientific Name: Physocephala tibialis
Comments: This family of flies is a parasite of solitary bees, and sometimes wasps. The female grabs the host while in flight and forces an egg between the bee’s abdominal segments.
More Information: NatureSearch
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 7/16/11
Observation Time: 4:45 p.m.
Observation Location: near Gavins Pond
Common Name: Thread-waisted wasp
Scientific Name: Ammophila procera
Comments: This large solitary wasp (over an inch long) has an interesting life cycle, which is shown in this Vimeo video.
More Information: insectidentification.org
Observer: Richard Mandell
Observation Date: 5/20/22
Observation Time: 11:55 a.m.
Observation Location: Mountain Street
Common Name: Tiger Swallowtail butterfly
Scientific Name: Papilio glaucus
Comments: This gorgeous butterfly discovered the sugar water in my hummingbird feeder.
More Information: Butterflies and Moths of North America
Observer: Lonnie Friedman
Observation Date: 5/31/20
Observation Time: 1:50 p.m.
Observation Location: In our yard (Gavins Pond Road)
Common Name: Tiger Swallowtail butterfly
Scientific Name: Papilio glaucus
Comments: This striking, large butterfly is fairly common.
More Information: Butterflies and Moths of North America
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/6/23
Observation Time: 8:15 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Tiger Swallowtail butterfly
Scientific Name: Papilio glaucus
Comments: This striking, large butterfly is fairly common in Sharon. I was surprised to see it so early in the season. It was feeding on a flowering tree near the barn on the Billings Loop. It appears to be missing a small part of the trailing edge of its wing. Perhaps a bird tried to catch it.
More Information: Butterflies and Moths of North America
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 6/24/21
Observation Time: 2:35 p.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR)
Common Name: Tiger Swallowtail butterfly
Scientific Name: Papilio glaucus
Comments: This striking, large butterfly is fairly common in Sharon.
More Information: Butterflies and Moths of North America
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/26/14
Observation Time: 6:10 p.m.
Observation Location: field near Gavins Pond dam
Common Name: Tiger Swallowtail butterfly
Scientific Name: Papilio glaucus
Comments: Tiger swallowtails are spectacular and relatively common.
More Information: Wikipedia
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/30/10
Observation Time: 3:50 p.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Tiger Swallowtail butterfly
Scientific Name: Papilio glaucus
Comments: Females are dimorphic. The yellow morph differs from the male in having a blue postmedian area on the dorsal hindwing. In the dark morph, the areas that are normally yellow are replaced with dark gray or black.
More Information: Wikipedia
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 7/17/13
Observation Time: 1:30 p.m.
Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Road (back yard)
Common Name: Tiger Swallowtail butterfly
Scientific Name: Papilio glaucus
Comments: As I was picking raspberries in the garden, I saw this gorgeous butterfly, so I ran inside and grabbed my camera.
More Information: Wikipedia
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
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 7/26/11
Observation Time: 1:30 p.m.
Observation Location: dirt road leading to the Gavins Pond dam
Common Name:Tiger Swallowtail butterfly
Scientific Name: Papilio glaucus
Comments: This butterfly was so preoccupied with feeding on some decomposing organic matter that I was able to approach within a few inches to take this photo.
More Information: Butterflies and Moths of North America
Observer: Kurt Buermann
Observation Date: 7/28/17
Observation Time: N/A
Observation Location: In our yard (Furnace Street) on a spicebush shrub
Common Name: Tiger Swallowtail butterfly
Scientific Name: Papilio glaucus
Comments: fairly common large butterfly
More Information: Butterflies and Moths of North America
Observer: Kurt Buermann
Observation Date: 7/31/16
Observation Time: N/A
Observation Location: Furnace Street
Common Name: Tiger Swallowtail butterfly
Scientific Name: Papilio glaucus
Comments: A common butterfly whose range stretches along the entire U.S. Atlantic coast and as far west as Texas. Having the ability to utilize a number of host plants and habitats this species does well and is not threatened.
More Information: Wikipedia
Observer: Bruce Lewis
Observation Date: 7/22/23
Observation Time: 3:00 p.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill St.
Common Name: Tomentose Burying Beetle
Scientific Name: Nicrophorus tomentosus
Comments: I observed this beetle consuming a dead animal on Moose Hill St.
The beetle belongs to the family Silphidae, which are carrion beetles. The beetles have sensitive antennae that contain olfactory organs. Thus, the beetle can locate dead animals and then as the name suggests, can bury them. However, unlike other burying beetles, N. tomentosus does not completely bury these brood carcasses. They instead dig a shallow hole under the carcass and cover it with leaf litter. Recognition of these beetles can be distinguished by its black color with orange markings on the wing covers (elytra).
More Information: Wikipedia
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 8/13/20
Observation Time: 1:52 p.m.
Observation Location: Mountain St.
Common Name: Tree Cricket
Scientific Name: Oecanthus spp.
Comments: The tree cricket is also known as poor man’s thermometer, because if you count the number of chirps in 15 seconds and add 37 you get the temperature close to the Fahrenheit temperature outdoors.
More Information: Wikipedia
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 9/26/12
Observation Time: 1:35 p.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond Road (bridge near soccer fields)
Common Name: Tree Cricket
Scientific Name: Oecanthus spp.
Comments: The tree cricket is also known as poor man’s thermometer. It is because if you count the number of chirps in 15 seconds and add 37 you get the temperature close to the Fahrenheit temperature outdoors.
More Information: Wikipedia
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 4/25/23
Observation Time: 8:51 am
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Tree Swallow
Scientific Name: Tachycineta bicolor
Comments: Tree swallows compete with bluebirds for nesting boxes.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Kurt Buermann
Observation Date: 5/12/11
Observation Time: 1:30 p.m.
Observation Location: Laveview Street meadow
Common Name: Tree swallow
Scientific Name: Tachycineta bicolor
Comments: Very commonly nests near bluebirds. Tree swallows may defend bluebirds against other tree swallow if they occupy adjacent nesting boxes.
More Information: All About Birds.org
Observer: Deb Radovsky
Observation Date: 5/18/16
Observation Time: N/A
Observation Location: Moose Hill area
Common Name: Tree Swallow
Scientific Name: Tachycineta bicolor
Comments: Tree swallows compete with bluebirds for nesting boxes.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/30/10
Observation Time: 4:35 p.m.
Observation Location: field near Gavins Pond
Common Name: Tree swallow
Scientific Name: Tachycineta bicolor
Comments: Tree swallows nest in bluebird nesting boxes. One strategy is to locate two bluebird houses within 10 yards of each other. Tree swallows nesting in one box will drive other tree swallows away from the other box, but allow bluebirds to move in.
More Information: All About Birds.org
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/4/11
Observation Time: 1:00 p.m.
Observation Location: near Gavins Pond Dam
Common Name: Tree swallow
Scientific Name: Tachycineta bicolor
Comments: Tree swallows compete for bluebird nesting boxes. Bluebird house are often set out in pairs. One box gets taken by a pair of tree swallows. They drive other tree swallows away from the other box, but allow bluebirds to move in.
More Information: All About Birds.org
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/5/23
Observation Time: 6:50 am
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Tree Swallow
Scientific Name: Tachycineta bicolor
Comments: Tree swallows compete with bluebirds for nesting boxes. This pair was sitting on the post of a nesting box.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/8/14
Observation Time: 7:10 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Tree swallow
Scientific Name: Tachycineta bicolor
Comments: Tree swallows compete with bluebirds for nesting boxes. However, if nesting boxes are sited in pairs, a tree swallow will occupy one box and drive away other tree swallows from the other box. That will allow bluebirds to nest there.
More Information: All About Birds.org
Observer: Josh Simons
Observation Date: 1/1/09
Observation Time: 2:00 p.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Parkway
Common Name: Tufted Titmouse
Scientific Name: Baeolophus bicolor
Comments: This and the junco and wren photos were all taken with a Canon 50D and a Canon 500mm f4 lens from the comfort of my kitchen on Moose Hill Parkway. We have feeders that attract lots of birds who land on a nearby lilac bush while waiting for their turn at the feeders.
In terms of processing, I use very little. The images are cropped and very small
adjustments are made to exposure and contrast with sometimes a little extra
sharpening applied.
That and the nice, slanting winter sunlight are all there is to it.
More Information: Cornell Lab of Ornithology “All About Birds”
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 11/27/20
Observation Time: 12:20 p.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond Rd. (my back yard)
Common Name: Tufted Titmouse
Scientific Name: Baeolophus bicolor
Comments: Tufted titmice are abundant in Sharon. They are often encountered in the company of chickadees.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 2/25/20
Observation Time: 12:50 p.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audbon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Tufted Titmouse
Scientific Name: Baeolophus bicolor
Comments: This tufted titmouse was feeding at the bird feeder by the Moose Hill Audubon headquarters.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 4/15/20
Observation Time: 1:15 p.m.
Observation Location: Conservation land near Sandy Ridge Circle
Common Name: Tufted Titmouse
Scientific Name: Baeolophus bicolor
Comments: Tufted titmice are abundant in the woods in Sharon. They are often encountered in the company of chickadees.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/1/18
Observation Time: 9:00 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audbon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Tufted Titmouse
Scientific Name: Baeolophus bicolor
Comments: Often seen in the company of chickadees.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/16/23
Observation Time: 7:50 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Tufted Titmouse
Scientific Name: Baeolophus bicolor
Comments: Tufted titmice are abundant in the woods in Sharon. They are often encountered in the company of chickadees. This one had caught a caterpillar.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/2/20
Observation Time: 12:50 p.m.
Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Road (in my back yard)
Common Name: Tufted Titmouse
Scientific Name: Baeolophus bicolor
Comments: Tufted titmice are abundant in the woods in Sharon. They are often encountered in the company of chickadees.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 4/11/11
Observation Time: 6:10 p.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond
Common Name: Turkey Vulture
Scientific Name: Cathartes aura
Comments: Turkey vultures are gliders. They ride thermal updrafts, so they rarely need to flap their wings.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 4/20/20
Observation Time: 9:10 a.m.
Observation Location: conservation land near Lakeview & Morse
Common Name: Turkey Vulture
Scientific Name: Cathartes aura
Comments: Turkey vultures are gliders. They ride thermal updrafts, so they rarely need to flap their wings.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Rick Dumont
Observation Date: 7/28/09
Observation Time: 2:00 p.m.
Observation Location: Belcher Street
Common Name: Turkey Vulture
Scientific Name: Cathartes aura
Comments: A bad smell invaded my yard during a rainy, humid spell. The buzzard must have been attracted to it. The smell went away shortly after the buzzard did.
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/13/19
Observation Time: 11:10 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Turkey-tail Fungus
Scientific Name: Trametes versicolor
Comments: This could also be false turkey-tail lichen. I neglected to inspect the underside to see if it had pores.
More Information: Edible Wild Food
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 6/19/13
Observation Time: 2:40 p.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond Dam
Common Name: Turquoise Bluet damselfly
Scientific Name: Enallagma divagans
More Photos: The Hibbits Network
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 6/2/11
Observation Time: 2:20 p.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond Dam
Common Name: Turquoise Bluet damselfly
Scientific Name: Enallagma divagans
Comments: The final two shots are of a mating pair.
More Information: BugGuide.net
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/12/11
Observation Time: 6:50 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon boardwalk
Common Name: Tussock Sedge
Scientific Name: Carex stricta
Comments: A clumping, upright sedge with narrow, yellowish green leaves. Reddish brown flowers bloom early summer. Prefers moist fertile soil but will tolerate dry or wet sites.
More Information: North Creek Nurseries
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/8/19
Observation Time: 8:15 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary (wetland boardwalk)
Common Name: Tussock Sedge
Scientific Name: Carex stricta
Comments: A clumping, upright sedge with narrow, yellowish green leaves. Reddish brown flowers bloom early summer. Prefers moist fertile soil but will tolerate dry or wet sites.
More Information: North Creek Nurseries
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 7/7/18
Observation Time: 12:35 p.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR)
Common Name: Twelve-spotted Skimmer dragonfly (female)
Scientific Name: Libellula pulchella
Comments: This species of dragonfly is relatively large. Lots of different species of dragonflies live in Sharon. Can you find one that’s not already recorded on this web site?
More Information: Ecobirder
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 7/30/13
Observation Time: 3:35 p.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond Road near soccer fields
Common Name: Twelve-spotted Skimmer dragonfly (female)
Scientific Name: Libellula pulchella
Comments: This species of dragonfly is relatively large. Lots of different species of dragonflies live in Sharon. Can you find and phoyograph one that’s not already recorded on this web site?
More Information: Ecobirder
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 8/11/13
Observation Time: 4:45 p.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond Dam
Common Name: Two-striped Grasshopper
Scientific Name: Melanoplus bivittatus
Comments: This grasshopper is named for the two stripes that run down its back. It is a common agricultural pest.
More Information: Wikipedia
Observer: Amy Waters
Observation Date: 9/2/08
Observation Location:
Common Name: Unicorn Caterpillar
Scientific Name: Schizura unicornis
Comments: This Unicorn Caterpillar may have crawled off a blueberry bush. It also likes hickory, birch, maple, cherry, oak, sweet pepperbush, witch hazel, and many more woody shrubs and trees. Its range is from Canada to Florida and Texas. It will turn into a moth. Its family is Prominents – Notodontidae.
More Information: University of Missouri
Observer: John Baur
Observation Date: 7/21/23
Observation Time: 4:00 p.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill (under power lines)
Common Name: unknown wasp species
Scientific Name: Euodynerus undescribed species F
Comments: This small wasp has been identified as a known species that has not been formally described. As such, it is currently known as “Euodynerus undescribed species F”. Once it has been formally described it will be given a normal name, but that could take years.
More information: Bugguide.net
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 6/20/11
Observation Time: 5:05 p.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond Dam
Common Name: Variable Dancer damselfly
Scientific Name: Argia fumipennis
Comments: Note the forked shoulder stripe, overall violet, with blue at the end of the abdomen. The last photo is a female.
More Information: Wisonsin Odonata Survey
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/15/15
Observation Time: 10:35 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Veery
Scientific Name: Catharus fuscescens
Comments: A veery is a woodland thrush with an ethereal call, which if played back in slow motion reveals that the bird is actually mingling two calls simultaneously, like a violin player bowing two strings at once. I think of the veery’s two strands of downward-cascading sound as a double-helix. Hear it at: http://earbirding.com/blog/archives/3711
More Information: All About Birds
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/15/23
Observation Time: 9:00 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary (boardwalk)
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: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/16/23
Observation Time: 9:15 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
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
