Nature Sightings

Scroll down to see wildlife images and videos that have been sent to us by SVT members and friends. To receive a weekly summary of the latest images, subscribe to our Nature Sightings e-newsletter at right.

  • To filter by Species, use the menu at left.
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To submit your photos or videos to Nature Sightings, contact Dan Stimson at [email protected]. 

Please note: We often include Nature Sightings images in e-mail and printed newsletters as well as elsewhere on our website, and we may share them with local news publications (we always include a photo credit line). By submitting your photos, you are giving us permission to use them in this way. 

Latest Sightings:

House Wren in Harvard

May 31, 2021

A house wren in Harvard, photographed by Robin Right.
A house wren in Harvard, photographed by Robin Right.

Robin Right photographed this house wren in Harvard.

Nighthawks in Lincoln

May 31, 2021

A common nighthawk over Farrar Pond in Lincoln, photographed by Ron McAdow.
A common nighthawk over Farrar Pond in Lincoln, photographed by Ron McAdow.
A common nighthawk over Farrar Pond in Lincoln, photographed by Ron McAdow.
A common nighthawk over Farrar Pond in Lincoln, photographed by Ron McAdow.
A common nighthawk over Farrar Pond in Lincoln, photographed by Ron McAdow.
A common nighthawk over Farrar Pond in Lincoln, photographed by Ron McAdow.

Ron McAdow photographed these common nighthawks over Farrar Pond in Lincoln.

Great Blue Herons in Lincoln

May 30, 2021

A great blue heron at a nest in Lincoln, photographed by Rachel Stein.
A great blue heron at a nest in Lincoln, photographed by Rachel Stein.
Great blue herons at a nest in Lincoln, photographed by Rachel Stein.
Great blue herons at a nest in Lincoln, photographed by Rachel Stein.

Rachel Stein photographed great blue herons at their nest in Lincoln.

American Robin Fledgling in Marlborough

May 27, 2021

An American robin fledgling in Marlborough, photographed by Karin Paquin.
An American robin fledgling in Marlborough, photographed by Karin Paquin.
An American robin nest in Marlborough, photographed by Karin Paquin.
An American robin nest in Marlborough, photographed by Karin Paquin.

Karin Paquin photographed a fledgling American robin and its empty nest in Marlborough. Karin had shared previous images of the eggs and nestlings, found here.

Nature at SVT's Memorial Forest

May 27, 2021

A chipping sparrow at SVT's Memorial Forest in Sudbury, photographed by Craig Smith.
A chipping sparrow at SVT's Memorial Forest in Sudbury, photographed by Craig Smith.
An eastern towhee at SVT's Memorial Forest in Sudbury, photographed by Craig Smith.
An eastern towhee at SVT's Memorial Forest in Sudbury, photographed by Craig Smith.
An eastern wood-pewee at SVT's Memorial Forest in Sudbury, photographed by Craig Smith.
An eastern wood-pewee at SVT's Memorial Forest in Sudbury, photographed by Craig Smith.
A pink lady's slipper at SVT's Memorial Forest in Sudbury, photographed by Craig Smith.
A pink lady's slipper at SVT's Memorial Forest in Sudbury, photographed by Craig Smith.

Craig Smith photographed beavers, a chipping sparrow, an eastern towhee, an eastern wood-pewee, and pink lady's slippers at SVT's General Federation of Women's Clubs of Massachusetts Memorial Forest in Sudbury.

Killdeer Nest in Stow

May 26, 2021

A killdeer nest in Stow, photographed by Steve Cumming.
A killdeer nest in Stow, photographed by Steve Cumming.

Steve Cumming found and photographed this killdeer ground nest while preparing a pumpkin field in Stow. Steve marked the area with a stake to protect it while working.

Backyard Birds in Framingham

May 25, 2021

A brown-headed cowbird in Framingham, photographed by Steve Forman.
A brown-headed cowbird in Framingham, photographed by Steve Forman.
A gray catbird in Framingham, photographed by Steve Forman.
A gray catbird in Framingham, photographed by Steve Forman.
A house finch in Framingham, photographed by Steve Forman.
A house finch in Framingham, photographed by Steve Forman.
A tufted titmouse in Framingham, photographed by Steve Forman.
A tufted titmouse in Framingham, photographed by Steve Forman.

Steve Forman photographed a brown-headed cowbird, a gray catbird, a house finch, and a tufted titmouse in Framingham.

Mallards and a Red Fox in Sudbury

May 25, 2021

Mallards in Sudbury, photographed by Sharon Tentarelli.
Mallards in Sudbury, photographed by Sharon Tentarelli.
A red fox in Sudbury, photographed by Sharon Tentarelli.
A red fox in Sudbury, photographed by Sharon Tentarelli.

Sharon Tentarelli photographed mallards and a red fox in Sudbury.

Pileated Woodpecker in Marlborough

May 25, 2021

Andrea Rex recorded this video of a pileated woodpecker at Callahan State Park in Marlborough.

American Robin Nest in Marlborough

May 24, 2021

American robin eggs in a nest in Marlborough, photographed May 9th, 2021 by Karin Paquin.
American robin eggs in a nest in Marlborough, photographed May 9th, 2021 by Karin Paquin.
American robin nestlings in a nest in Marlborough, photographed May 20th, 2021 by Karin Paquin.
American robin nestlings in a nest in Marlborough, photographed May 20th, 2021 by Karin Paquin.
American robin nestlings in a nest in Marlborough, photographed May 24th, 2021 by Karin Paquin.
American robin nestlings in a nest in Marlborough, photographed May 24th, 2021 by Karin Paquin.

Karin Paquin photographed an American robin nest located just outside her door in Marlborough between May 9th and May 24th.

Birds at Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge in Maynard

May 24, 2021

An American robin at Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge in Maynard, photographed by Craig Smith.
An American robin at Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge in Maynard, photographed by Craig Smith.
A great blue heron at Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge in Maynard, photographed by Craig Smith.
A great blue heron at Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge in Maynard, photographed by Craig Smith.
An osprey at Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge in Maynard, photographed by Craig Smith.
An osprey at Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge in Maynard, photographed by Craig Smith.
A red-winged blackbird at Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge in Maynard, photographed by Craig Smith.
A red-winged blackbird at Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge in Maynard, photographed by Craig Smith.
A red-winged blackbird at Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge in Maynard, photographed by Craig Smith.
A red-winged blackbird at Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge in Maynard, photographed by Craig Smith.

Craig Smith photographed an American robin, a great blue heron, an osprey, and a pair of red-winged blackbirds at Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge in Maynard.

Birds in Bolton

May 24, 2021

An eastern kingbird at Bolton Wildlife Management Area, photographed by Steve Forman.
An eastern kingbird at Bolton Wildlife Management Area, photographed by Steve Forman.
A great blue heron at Bolton Wildlife Management Area, photographed by Steve Forman.
A great blue heron at Bolton Wildlife Management Area, photographed by Steve Forman.
A great blue heron at Bolton Wildlife Management Area, photographed by Steve Forman.
A great blue heron at Bolton Wildlife Management Area, photographed by Steve Forman.
An osprey at Bolton Wildlife Management Area, photographed by Steve Forman.
An osprey at Bolton Wildlife Management Area, photographed by Steve Forman.

Steve Forman photographed an eastern kingbird, great blue herons, and an osprey at Bolton Wildlife Management Area.

Nature at Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge in Sudbury

May 24, 2021

A chipping sparrow at Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge in Sudbury, photographed by Craig Smith.
A chipping sparrow at Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge in Sudbury, photographed by Craig Smith.
A common grackle at Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge in Sudbury, photographed by Craig Smith.
A common grackle at Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge in Sudbury, photographed by Craig Smith.
An eastern chipmunk at Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge in Sudbury, photographed by Craig Smith.
An eastern chipmunk at Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge in Sudbury, photographed by Craig Smith.
A painted turtle at Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge in Sudbury, photographed by Craig Smith.
A painted turtle at Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge in Sudbury, photographed by Craig Smith.
A song sparrow at Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge in Sudbury, photographed by Craig Smith.
A song sparrow at Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge in Sudbury, photographed by Craig Smith.

Craig Smith photographed a chipping sparrow, a common grackle, an eastern chipmunk, a painted turtle, and a song sparrow at Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge in Sudbury.

Nature at Breakneck Hill in Southborough

May 24, 2021

An eastern kingbird at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
An eastern kingbird at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A northern mockingbird at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A northern mockingbird at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A red-tailed hawk at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A red-tailed hawk at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A ruby-throated hummingbird at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A ruby-throated hummingbird at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A tree swallow at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A tree swallow at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
An American goldfinch at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
An American goldfinch at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
An eastern bluebird at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
An eastern bluebird at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A ruby-throated hummingbird at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A ruby-throated hummingbird at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A yellow warbler at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A yellow warbler at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A Baltimore oriole at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A Baltimore oriole at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A Baltimore oriole at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A Baltimore oriole at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A cotton-tailed rabbit at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A cotton-tailed rabbit at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A yellow warbler at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A yellow warbler at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.

Steve Forman photographed an eastern kingbird, a northern mockingbird, a red-tailed hawk, ruby-throated hummingbirds, a tree swallow, an American goldfinch, an eastern bluebird, yellow warblers, a Baltimore oriole, and a cotton-tailed rabbit at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough.

Nature at Hager Pond in Marlborough

May 24, 2021

A Baltimore oriole at Hager Pond in Marlborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A Baltimore oriole at Hager Pond in Marlborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A downy woodpecker at Hager Pond in Marlborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A downy woodpecker at Hager Pond in Marlborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A least sandpiper at Hager Pond in Marlborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A least sandpiper at Hager Pond in Marlborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
Least sandpipers at Hager Pond in Marlborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
Least sandpipers at Hager Pond in Marlborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A dragonfly at Hager Pond in Marlborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A dragonfly at Hager Pond in Marlborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A dragonfly at Hager Pond in Marlborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A dragonfly at Hager Pond in Marlborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A mallard duckling at Hager Pond in Marlborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A mallard duckling at Hager Pond in Marlborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
Mallard ducklings at Hager Pond in Marlborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
Mallard ducklings at Hager Pond in Marlborough, photographed by Steve Forman.

Steve Forman photographed a Baltimore oriole, a downy woodpecker, least sandpipers, mallards, and a dragonfly at Hager Pond in Marlborough.

Bald Eagle in Framingham

May 23, 2021

A bald eagle at Foss Reservoir in Framingham, photographed by Steve Forman.
A bald eagle at Foss Reservoir in Framingham, photographed by Steve Forman.
A bald eagle at Foss Reservoir in Framingham, photographed by Steve Forman.
A bald eagle at Foss Reservoir in Framingham, photographed by Steve Forman.

Steve Forman photographed a bald eagle at Foss Reservoir in Framingham.

White-tailed Deer in Sudbury

May 23, 2021

A white-tailed deer at Nobscot Scout Reservation in Sudbury, photographed by Duncan Speel.
A white-tailed deer at Nobscot Scout Reservation in Sudbury, photographed by Duncan Speel.

Duncan Speel photographed a white-tailed deer at Nobscot Scout Reservation in Sudbury.

Birds in Concord

May 22, 2021

A killdeer in Concord, photographed by Rachel Stein.
A killdeer in Concord, photographed by Rachel Stein.
A scarlet tanager in Concord, photographed by Rachel Stein.
A scarlet tanager in Concord, photographed by Rachel Stein.
A great crested flycatcher in Concord, photographed by Rachel Stein.
A great crested flycatcher in Concord, photographed by Rachel Stein.

Rachel Stein photographed a killdeer, a scarlet tanager, and a great crested flycatcher in Concord.

Milk Snake and Cinnamon Ferns in Southborough

May 22, 2021

Cinnamon fern in Southborough, photographed by Debbie Costine.
Cinnamon fern in Southborough, photographed by Debbie Costine.

Debbie Costine photographed cinnamon fern and recorded a video of a milk snake in Southborough.

Nature at Great Meadows in Concord

May 22, 2021

A great blue heron at Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Concord, photographed by Steve Forman.
A great blue heron at Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Concord, photographed by Steve Forman.
A great blue heron at Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Concord, photographed by Steve Forman.
A great blue heron at Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Concord, photographed by Steve Forman.
A marsh wren at Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Concord, photographed by Steve Forman.
A marsh wren at Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Concord, photographed by Steve Forman.
A muskrat at Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Concord, photographed by Steve Forman.
A muskrat at Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Concord, photographed by Steve Forman.
A muskrat at Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Concord, photographed by Steve Forman.
A muskrat at Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Concord, photographed by Steve Forman.
A family of mute swans at Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Concord, photographed by Steve Forman.
A family of mute swans at Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Concord, photographed by Steve Forman.
A painted turtle at Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Concord, photographed by Steve Forman.
A painted turtle at Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Concord, photographed by Steve Forman.
A snapping turtle at Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Concord, photographed by Steve Forman.
A snapping turtle at Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Concord, photographed by Steve Forman.

Steve Forman photographed a great blue heron, a marsh wren, a muskrat, a family of mute swans, a painted turtle, and a snapping turtle at Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Concord.

Red Fox in Maynard

May 22, 2021

A red fox in Maynard, photographed by Gail Sartori.
A red fox in Maynard, photographed by Gail Sartori.
A red fox in Maynard, photographed by Gail Sartori.
A red fox in Maynard, photographed by Gail Sartori.

Gail Sartori photographed this red fox as it tried to reach an American robin nest in Maynard.

Bald Eagle in Southborough

May 21, 2021

A bald eagle at the Sudbury Reservoir in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A bald eagle at the Sudbury Reservoir in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A bald eagle at the Sudbury Reservoir in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A bald eagle at the Sudbury Reservoir in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.

Steve Forman photographed a bald eagle at the Sudbury Reservoir in Southborough.

Northern Water Snake in Sudbury

May 21, 2021

A northern water snake at Grist Mill Pond in Sudbury, photographed by Steve Forman.
A northern water snake at Grist Mill Pond in Sudbury, photographed by Steve Forman.
A northern water snake at Grist Mill Pond in Sudbury, photographed by Steve Forman.
A northern water snake at Grist Mill Pond in Sudbury, photographed by Steve Forman.

Steve Forman photographed a northern water snake at Grist Mill Pond in Sudbury.

Red Fox in Sudbury

May 21, 2021

Marilyn Tromer recorded this video of a red fox in Sudbury.

Goslings and a Red-winged Blackbird in Framingham

May 19, 2021

Canada geese goslings at Farm Pond in Framingham, photographed by Steve Forman.
Canada geese goslings at Farm Pond in Framingham, photographed by Steve Forman.
A Canada goose gosling at Farm Pond in Framingham, photographed by Steve Forman.
A Canada goose gosling at Farm Pond in Framingham, photographed by Steve Forman.
A red-winged blackbird at Farm Pond in Framingham, photographed by Steve Forman.
A red-winged blackbird at Farm Pond in Framingham, photographed by Steve Forman.
A red-winged blackbird at Farm Pond in Framingham, photographed by Steve Forman.
A red-winged blackbird at Farm Pond in Framingham, photographed by Steve Forman.

Steve Forman photographed Canada goose goslings and a red-winged blackbird at Farm Pond in Framingham.