White slant-line moth – 6/1/23

Observer: Josh Simons Observation Date: 6/1/23 Observation Time: 9:45 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill area Common Name: White slant-line moth Scientific Name: Tetracis cachexiata) Comments: The caterpillars of the white slant-line moth are twig mimics, like other members of the Geometer family. Their brown, narrow bodies hold on to a branch at one end and stretch away from the branch to look like a twig. […]

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Brown Marmorated Stink Bug – 5/30/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/30/23 Observation Time: 10:15 a.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Rd. (appeared on the desk in my living room!) Common Name: Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (adult) Scientific Name: Halyomorpha Halys Comments: Stink bugs molt several times before reaching maturity. Each phase is referred to as an instar. More Information: Featured Creatures

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Green Frog – 5/28/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/28/23 Observation Time: 12:20 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Green Frog Scientific Name: Lithobates clamitans Comments: This is one of our most familiar frogs, and is found statewide. It has some green on its face and a mostly brown body, with a ridge running down each side of its back. This species prefers permanent or semipermanent water […]

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Prairie Warbler – 5/28/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/28/23 Observation Time: 11:50 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) – under the power lines Common Name: Prairie Warbler Scientific Name: Setophaga discolor Comments: Prairie warblers are found in scrubby fields and forest edges throughout the eastern and south-central United States. Unlike many other warblers that migrate through Sharon in spring and fall, the prairie warbler nests in Sharon and […]

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Black Swallowtail butterfly – 5/28/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/28/23 Observation Time: 11:10 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Black Swallowtail butterfly Scientific Name: Papilio polyxenes Comments: Black swallowtail butterflies look a lot like spicebush swallowtail butterflies. You can learn how to tell the difference between a black swallowtail and a spicebush swallowtail at: http://www.naba.org/chapters/nabambc/frames-2species.asp?sp1=Papilio-polyxenes&sp2=Papilio-troilus There is also a good discussion of how to tell the differences among […]

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Indigo Bunting – 5/28/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/28/23 Observation Time: 10:00 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) 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 first […]

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Baltimore Oriole (female or immature male) – 5/25/23

Observer: Punitha Hanumantha Observation Date: 5/25/23 Observation Time: 5:00 p.m. Observation Location: Fales Rd., Sharon Common Name: Baltimore Oriole (female or immature male) Scientific Name: Icterus galbula Comments: Baltimore Orioles seek out ripe fruit. Cut oranges in half and hang them from trees to invite orioles into your yard. Special oriole feeders filled with sugar water supplement the flower nectar that Baltimore Orioles gather. You can […]

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Indigo Bunting – 5/25/23

Observer: Punitha Hanumantha Observation Date: 5/25/23 Observation Time: 5:00 p.m. Observation Location: Fales Rd., Sharon 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 first landed. […]

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Little Wood Satyr butterfly – 5/25/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/25/23 Observation Time: 7:15 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Little Wood Satyr butterfly Scientific Name: Megisto cymela Comments: As the name implies, the wood satyr is most commonly seen in woods and shrubby areas. More Information: Wikipedia

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Worn-eating Warbler – 5/23/23

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 […]

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Gray Catbird – 5/23/23

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 […]

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Indigo Bunting – 5/23/23

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 […]

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Northern Waterthrush – 5/23/23

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

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Bay-breasted Warbler – 5/23/23

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. […]

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Green Frog – 5/21/23

Observer: Josh Simons Observation Date: 5/21/23 Observation Time: 2:45 p.m. Observation Location: near Gavins Pond Dam Common Name: Green Frog Scientific Name: Lithobates clamitans Comments: This is one of our most familiar frogs, and is found statewide. It has some green on its face and a mostly brown body, with a ridge running down each side of its back. This species prefers permanent or semipermanent water […]

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Brewster’s Warbler – 5/20/23

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

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Tennessee Warbler – 5/20/23

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

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Veery – 5/18/23

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

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House Wren – 5/18/23

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

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Scarlet Tanager (female) – 5/18/23

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 […]

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Canada Warbler – 5/18/23

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

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Blackburnian Warbler – 5/18/23

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

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Eastern Bluebird – 5/18/23

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 […]

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Ruby-throated Hummingbird – 5/17/23

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 […]

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Hooded Warbler – 5/17/23

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 […]

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