Wood Thrush – 5/9/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/9/23 Observation Time: 6:50 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Wood thrush Scientific Name: Hylocichla mustelina Comments: We heard this wood thrush’s melodic “ee-oh-lay” song before we spotted it high in a dead tree. More Information: All About Birds

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American Robin (eggs) – 6/2/10

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/2/10 Observation Time: 6:05 p.m. Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Road Common Name: American Robin (eggs) Scientific Name: Turdus migratorius More Information: All About Birds  

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American White Pelican – 5/30/13

Observer: Vin Zollo Observation Date: 5/30/13 Observation Time: 10:45 a.m. Observation Location: Lake Massapoag Common Name: American White Pelican Scientific Name: Pelecanus erythrorhynchos Comments: Originally spotted by Valerie White while canoeing on the lake. This is a rare bird in Massachusetts and a possible first record for Norfolk County. It was there for about a day and a half. Phone-scoped picture. Another photo can be found on […]

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Great Blue Heron – 11/11/12

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 11/11/12 Observation Time: 4:25 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Dam Common Name: Great Blue Heron Scientific Name: Ardea herodias Comments: These magnificent birds are often seen wading in shallow ponds looking for a meal of fish, frogs, snakes, and even small mammals. More Information: All About Birds

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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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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 […]

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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 […]

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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

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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  

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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  

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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

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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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Black-billed Cuckoo – 5/27/14

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/27/14 Observation Time: 8:05 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Black-billed Cuckoo Scientific Name: Coccyzus erythropthalmus Comments: We heard this black-billed cuckoo before we finally spotted it. Even though cuckoos are relatively large birds, they typically don’t move around much, so they are hard to find unless you know what their call sounds like. More Information: All About Birds […]

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Black and White Warbler – 5/13/14

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  

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Bald Eagle – 12/30/13

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

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Belted Kingfisher – 9/9/13

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  

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Chipping Sparrow – 5/20/13

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/20/13 Observation Time: 4:20 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Chipping Sparrow Scientific Name: Spizella passerina Comments: Chipping sparrows are very common in Sharon. They have a distinctive reddish cap above a white eyeline. Their song is described as a reedy trill that sounds a lot like the songs of the pine warbler and the junco. More Information: […]

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Black and White Warbler (female) – 5/16/13

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  

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Black-capped Chickadee – 4/26/13

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/26/13 Observation Time: 4:30 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Black-capped Chickadee Scientific Name: Poecile atricapillus Comments: Chickadees are one of Sharon’s most common birds. They often travel in groups that sometimes include tufted titmouse. With patience, chickadees can be trained to eat sunflower seeds out of your hand! More Information: All About Birds

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Bald Eagle – 3/20/13

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

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American Goldfinch – 6/25/11

Observer: Josh Simons Observation Date: 6/25/11 Observation Time: 1:00 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill area Common Name: American Goldfinch Scientific Name: Carduelis tristis Comments: The first photo is of a female; the second a male. More Information: All About Birds  

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Bald Eagle – 4/2/11

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

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Belted Kingfisher – 8/3/10

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  

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American Woodcock – 3/11/10

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 3/11/10 Observation Time: 5:45 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Road across the street from the soccer fields Common Name: American Woodcock Scientific Name: Scolopax minor Comments: The “peents” began at 5:45. The spectacular mating flights began about 6:00 p.m. They will continue every evening at dusk (getting later as the days grow longer) for another month or so. Call me […]

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Bald Eagle – 2/19/10

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

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