Amphibian Migration

[LittleM]

 

So it begins again.   Pioneer Jefferson Salamander coming off limestone ridge, crossing snow covered field, crossing road,finally reaching vernal pool (with my help).  It's a little early yet but the next warm rainy night will trigger the mass migration to the breeding pools.   Though its early, tomorrow morning the road will be paved with crushed Jeffs.  They are the first to head to the pools, followed by the spotted salamanders, red efts, four-toed salamanders, wood frogs, and spring peepers (among others).  Next rainy night I'll rally the troops and we will cross the animals to the pool, saving as many as we can.  

 

Rusty - this would be a great project for your students.  Conserve Wildlife runs several rescue sites in north Jersey.  Most notably one along Shades of Death Road.

 

The crossing I run is down the street from my house.  Jefferson Salamanders are uncommon so they they generally make up a small percentage of species at rescue sites.  At my house, Jeffs outnumber other species 10 to 1.  Its a cool site.  After riding around the morning after a good migration night, its amazing how many get crushed.  Its a shame.  Its a wonder there are any herps left in Jersey...............

[Rusty]

Wow, that's so cool.  I knew they closed certain roads but I didn't know that there were people helping with the migration.  I will see if any of my students are interested in getting involved with this.  

 

Update:  We looked at their website and I have at least 2 students that want to join Conserve Wildlife and get involved with the migration work.  

Edited March 27, 2015 by Rusty

[BowhunterNJ]

This very much reminded me of the hike I went on with Tom Elefante years ago.

We saw similar frog and newt migrations/movements going on but it was later in the summer, June timeframe.

 

 

 

 

 

[Bucksnbows]

I might be able to help at the Shades of Death Road area as it is nearby.  I saw my first salamander yesterday while kick seining a Musconetcong River tributary in Asbury.  That from a very small stream in a run, so they are on the move.