Do you know your amphibian egg masses?
Despite the snow, the internal clocks of many amphibians are already set to spring. As a result, a number of them have already journeyed from the safety of their winter refuges to nearby pools and ponds to breed and deposit their eggs. This past Friday, prior to the weekend storm, I spent time exploring some local water bodies and found a plethora of these kinds of eggs. Any idea of what these little eggs will eventually turn into? I’ll give you a hint, the bottom picture shows both eggs and spermatophores. If you guessed Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum), you would be correct!...
Read MoreAmerican Bittern
This is the American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus), a stupendously cryptic and sensationally camouflaged heron species of freshwater and brackish marshes and wetlands. During late fall and winter they can be infrequently found moving south to warmer or coastal areas where the water does not freeze. Even their movements are meant to blend in perfectly to surrounding vegetation, stalking prey including fish, amphibians, insects, mammals, reptiles, and more. The American Bittern was once a terror in the night to many early American settlers who lived in coastal regions. Its pumping, gurgling,...
Read MoreHawk Walk
Last Saturday the Aspetuck Land Trust held its second fall “hawk walk” of the season at the Trout Brook Valley Conservation Area in Easton/Weston, Connecticut. I tagged along to help find some birds and talk about the wonderful land, wearing my hat for both RTPI and as a member of the Aspetuck Land Trust Land Management Committee. I also happen to love the property and, along with RTPI President Twan Leenders, helped initiate and create a conservation and management plan for the site several years ago. In the below photos you can see federally licensed bander Larry Fischer, a...
Read MoreWhat’s Under That Rock?
As a little girl growing up in rural Western New York, I always had an affinity for animals. My mom worked at a veterinary clinic and would often take me to work with her where, at a young age, I learned to respect animals and treat them with gentleness and compassion. I also spent a lot of time in the woods going on hikes with my dad and grandpa finding whatever was along the trail or fishing out whatever was in a nearby fishing hole. For the longest time I loved all things furry, with horses, dogs, and guinea pigs being amongst my favorites. But as I grew a little older and spent more time...
Read MoreLong-tailed Salamander (Eurycea longicauda)
Earlier this summer I caught my first glimpse of this handsome salamander, appropriately named the Long-tailed Salamander (Eurycea longicauda). A species of Special Concern in New York State, this uncommon salamander is at the northern fringes of its range and can be found along much of the southern Allegheny Plateau. Long-tails prefer cool woodland seeps and streams, but can occasionally be found along river banks under flat rocks or logs. As the temperatures continue to drop these salamanders will work their way deeper into rock cracks and crevices in order to protect themselves from...
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