Could Tonight be the Night?!
Tonight’s conditions are looking promising for amphibian migrations to begin as overnight temperatures will be above 40°F and rain is on it’s way. While humans don’t like to be out much during rainy nights, salamanders and frogs use these evenings to migrate in mass to their vernal breeding pools. With that said, be on the lookout for these special species whether you are hiking or driving and give them plenty of space as they make their way from their wooded hiding places to their watery breeding grounds.
Read MoreVernal Pools Poking Through
Last weekend as we were out surveying for HWA in Dobbin’s Woods, a beautiful Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy property, we came across several little pools beginning to form in the depressions of the landscape as the snow increasingly melts back. While these pools aren’t too attractive for us to throw our beach chair next to, they are extremely important to a number of amphibian species. In the upcoming weeks these small pools will serve as little nurseries for salamander and frog offspring to safely develop from egg-y masses to free swimming larvae to land conquering tetrapods....
Read MoreBioBlitz this Friday-Saturday at SUNY College Lodge
We are only two days away from the blitz! On July 18-19, 2014 experts from across the region will take part in a ‘BioBlitz’ conducted by the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History at the SUNY College Lodge Nature Preserve in Brocton. A BioBlitz is a 24-hour race to identify as many species of plants and animals of all kinds on the property and we invite you to join in the fun. Hear from the experts what they are finding or join us for a number of free and public walks and talks about some of the unique and exciting life that can be found on the approximately 200-acre property owned...
Read MoreSpring Amphibians
The past couple of weeks while we have been out surveying migrating birds and spring ephemeral flowers, we have also seen lots of amphibian activity as well. Last week while up at College Lodge, we came across a few very productive vernal pools. The water levels were relatively low, causing a bit of concern that the pools may dry up before the amphibians could develop from tadpoles and larvae to land conquering salamanders and frogs. However, all this week’s rains have filled up the pools nicely, giving more time for the amphibians to develop. Here are a few photos of our findings....
Read MoreAmerican Toad (Anaxyrus americanus)
Earlier this afternoon RTPI conservation staff joined Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy staff for a walk on a prospective site on Goose Creek. We recorded 64 bird species, dozens of wildflowers and vernal pools with Wood Frog, Spotted Salamander and American Toad (like this one!) egg masses. Very cool finds on a hot spring day.
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