Sightings – Page 49 – Sharon Friends of Conservation

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

Eastern Bluebird (male) – 4/25/13

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/25/13 Observation Time: 2:30 p.m. Observation Location: near Gavins Pond Dam Common Name: Eastern Bluebird (male) Scientific Name: Sialia sialis Comments: This male bluebird was guarding a nest with five sky-blue eggs in a nesting box provided by Kurt Buermann, President of the Sharon Friends of Conservation. The blue color is more or less vivid depending on the brightness and angle of the […]

White Suckers – 4/19/13

Observer: Richard Kramer Observation Date: 4/19/13 Observation Time: 2:35 p.m. Observation Location: Sucker Brook near the entrance to the Community Center Common Name: White Sucker Scientific Name: Catostomus commersoni Comments: White suckers spawn in Sucker Brook for a few days in mid to late April. Remember to look for them after you file your taxes. The female and the males release their eggs and sperm […]

Ring-necked Duck – 4/18/13

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/18/13 Observation Time: 2:20 p.m. Observation Location: Gavin’s Pond Common Name: Ring-necked Duck Scientific Name: Aythya collaris Comments: Ring-necked ducks migrate through Sharon, and can be seen in spring and fall. More Information: All About Birds: Ring-necked Duck

White Suckers – 4/17/13

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/17/13 Observation Time: 12:40 Observation Location: Beaver Brook, Sharon (downstream of the wooden footbridge near the tennis courts at the outbound train station) Common Name: White Sucker Scientific Name: Catostomus commersoni Comments: White suckers spawn in Beaver Brook for a few days in mid to late April. Remember to look for them after you file your taxes. Note the reddish […]

Pussy Willow – 4/13/13

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/13/13 Observation Time: 5:50 p.m. Observation Location: near Gavins Pond Common Name: Pussy Willow Scientific Name: Salix discolor Comments: The fuzzy nubs that appear on pussy willows in early spring are actually flowers just before they fully bloom. The species most commonly called pussy willow in the Northeast, Salix discolor, is a small, shrubby species of willow that can be […]

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

Coyote – 3/3/13

Observer: Kirk Thomas Observation Date: 3/3/13 Observation Time: 6:20 a.m. Observation Location: Griffin Land Common Name: Coyote Scientific Name: Canis latrans Comments: The eastern coyote (Canis latrans var.) is a wild North American canine of both coyote and wolf origins. The hybridization likely first occurred in the Great Lakes region, as western coyotes moved east. It was first noticed during the early 1930s to the late […]

Red-Breasted Nuthatch – 2/24/13

Observer: Josh Simons Observation Date: 2/24/13 Observation Time: 3:00 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill area Common Name: Red-breasted Nuthatch Scientific Name: Sitta canadensis Comments: Small photo due to heavy cropping. More Information: All About Birds

Blue Jay – 11/19/12

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 11/19/12 Observation Time: 10:25 a.m. Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Blue Jay Scientific Name: Cyanocitta cristata Comments: Blue Jays are common in Sharon. They eat insects and nuts. They will also eat the eggs and nestlings of other birds if they get the chance. They can live up to 17 years. More Information: All About Birds

Northern Cardinal – 11/19/12

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 11/19/12 Observation Time: 10:25 a.m. Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Northern Cardinal Scientific Name: Cardinalis cardinalis Comments: Cardinals are seen year-round in Sharon. In springtime they defend their territories, sometimes hurling themselves against glass windows when they see their own reflections, thinking it’s a competitor. More Information: All About Birds

Hooded Merganser (male) – 11/17/12

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 11/17/12 Observation Time: 4:45 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Common Name: Hooded Merganser (male) Scientific Name: Lophodytes cucullatus Comments: Hooded mergansers are small but striking diving ducks that migrate through Sharon on their way south for the winter. More Information: All About Birds

Wood Ducks – 10/19/12

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 10/19/12 Observation Time: 2:05 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Common Name: Wood Duck Scientific Name: Aix sponsa Comments: These skittish ducks have spectacular plumage. Unlike most other ducks, they have sharp claws for perching in trees. Wood Duck populations increased between 1966 and 2015 according to the North American Breeding Bird Survey. This is good news considering their dramatic declines in […]

American Lady Butterfly – 10/5/12

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 10/5/12 Observation Time: 3:55 p.m. Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Road Common Name: American Lady Butterfly Scientific Name: Vanessa virginiensis Comments: This American Lady butterfly was feeding on Nippon daisies blooming in our garden. There was also a Painted Lady butterfly, which looks very similar, but has four small spots on the undersides of its trailing wings instead of the American Lady’s two large […]

Painted Lady butterfly – 10/5/12

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 10/5/12 Observation Time: 3:55 p.m. Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Painted Lady butterfly Scientific Name: Vanessa cardui Comments: The Painted Lady has four small spots on the undersides of its hind wings, whereas the American Lady has two large spots. Otherwise they look very similar. More Information: Butterflies and Moths of North America

Eastern Tailed-Blue butterfly – 9/9/12

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 9/9/12 Observation Time: 3:20 p.m. Observation Location: Sandy Ridge Circle Common Name: Eastern Tailed-Blue butterfly Scientific Name: Everes comyntas Comments: This beautiful little butterfly can be found in open fields from May to October. When it spreads its wings, the blue upper sides show how this butterfly gets its name. More Information: Wikipedia

Pigskin Poison Puffball – 9/9/12

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 9/9/12 Observation Time: 2:50 p.m. Observation Location: Sandy Ridge Circle Common Name: Pigskin Poison Puffball Scientific Name: Scleroderma citrinum Comments: Also known as “common earthball,” this yellow-white spherical fungus has no stem. It eventually bursts open to release spores. More Information: Common Earthball

Fishing Spider – 9/3/12

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 9/3/12 Observation Time: 3:20 p.m. Observation Location: Borderland State Park Common Name: Fishing Spider Scientific Name: Dolomedes vittatus Comments: This huge spider (about 3″) was spotted in aquatic vegetation near the stone hut at the edge of Lower Leach Pond at Borderland State Park. A boy with a butterfly net scooped it up so I could get a photo of it. I got […]

Double-Crested Cormorant – 9/1/12

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 9/1/12 Observation Time: 4:40 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond outflow pool Common Name: Double-crested Cormorant Scientific Name: Phalacrocorax auritus Comments: Most commonly seen cormorant in the East and usually the only one seen inland. Feeds by diving and swimming underwater, eating mostly fish. After feeding, often stands with wings outstretched to dry. More Information: All About Birds

Wood Nymph Butterfly – 8/25/12

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 8/25/12 Observation Time: 3:00 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Road – soccer field parking lot Common Name: Wood Nymph butterfly Scientific Name: Cercyonis pegala Comments: This striking wood nymph butterfly was a challenge to photograph, but with persistence I was able to get close enough to get this shot. More Information: Massachusetts Butterfly Club

White-faced Meadowhawk dragonfly – 8/11/12

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 8/11/12 Observation Time: 11:30 a.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Road bridge over Billings Brook Common Name: White-faced Meadowhawk dragonfly Scientific Name: Sympetrum obtrusum Comments: Adult males are identifiable by a distinctive pure white face and red body. Juveniles and younger females have a yellow abdomen. Older females have olive-brown or reddish-brown abdomen. More Information: Wikipedia

Cicada Killer Wasp – 8/6/12

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 8/6/12 Observation Time: 1:25 p.m. Observation Location: near Gavins Pond Dam Common Name: Cicada Killer Wasp Scientific Name: Sphecius speciosus Comments: These large, fearsome-looking wasps burrow in the ground. They are actually not aggressive. I found a sandy area near the Gavins Pond Dam that was peppered with their holes. It took a while to figure out that these holes were made by […]

Rabbit, Hawk, and Turkeys – 7/17/12

Observer: Rebecca Hickman Observation Date: 7/17/12 Observation Time: n/a Observation Location: Back yard Common Name: Rabbit, Hawk, and Turkeys Scientific Name: n/a Comments: This past week, beginning last weekend, has been like watching an episode of National Geograhpic in my back yard. I’m exaggerating, but not by much.. I enjoy watching the little bunny that has taken up residency under our shed in our back yard.. I’m outside […]

Red Milkweed Beetle – 7/15/12

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/15/12 Observation Time: 4:50 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Road – soccer field parking lot Common Name: Red Milkweed Beetle Scientific Name: Tetraopes tetrophthalmus Comments: This striking red beetle was crawling on a milkweed leaf. Its scientific name means “four eyes” because of its black spots that look like eyes. More Information: BugGuide

Eastern Tailed-Blue butterfly – 7/13/12

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/13/12 Observation Time: 10:30 a.m. Observation Location: Soccer parking area by Gavins Pond Common Name: Eastern Tailed-Blue butterfly Scientific Name: Everes comyntas More Information: Northwest Ohio Nature

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