The major migration occurred a bit
early this year. The major part of
the migration of Yellow
Spotted Salamanders crossed the Connector road on 3.22.10.
The weather was great with breaks in the rain and heavy rain
later.
There was a very steady crossing from 8:30 until Midnight and trickled
on
throughout the night. A good number of people (60+) braved the
weather and
late hours to witness this annual event. They
averaged about 15 an hour. There were females crossing as well as males
(usually the males
go first.). Eggs have appeared along the bridge. There were
many red efts (the terrestrial phase of the Eastern Red Spotted Newt),
as well Spring Peepers and even some Wood Frogs crossing the road.
Wood frogs were in the vernal pools and have already left egg
masses in the pools. There was even a tiny two inch long Least Shrew on
the road eating worms, but it was too fast to get a picture. Below
are some pictures from this year's migration by Victoria Londner and
Roy Paston.
Female (large swollen body)
just coming out of the woods.
Males
have a distinct distinguishing feature. (hey! the yellow is just
the arrow label!)
.
Half way there...
Using a ramp!
We don't know why the female was going
the "wrong" way...
On ramp..
One last
stretch through the woods!
.
Spring
Peepers don't need
the ramps.
Efts
don't need the ramps either, but they'll use them. Wood
Frogs also lay egg masses in the waterways and vernal pools.
