Autumn Field Surveys
While the field season never completely ends, projects shift and our attention will soon be focused on other seasonally appropriate surveys during the upcoming cooler months. As the temperatures continue to drop as well as the leaves, our stream work surveying for the elusive Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) is winding down. This week we got out to take more samples and carry out more rock lift surveys. So far we have found that the stream we have been working in has a good number of Mudpuppies (Necturus maculosus) and has a lot of interesting macroinvertebrates, all of...
Read MoreCCWA Gala
In case you missed the competition for the 2015 Pennsylvania River of the Year, Conewango Creek was the big winner, and the Conewango Creek Watershed Association has been doing a number of great programs to promote the winning waterway. To conclude their events, on October 22nd they will be hosting their River of the Year Gala and will have none other than Robin Foster, University of Buffalo PhD candidate and our favorite stream partner, speaking about the Eastern Hellbender, an elusive resident to the region’s rivers and tributaries. This will not be an event to miss! For more details...
Read MoreCrab Breakfast
Did you have crab for breakfast today? I know someone who did…Harley the Harlequin Duck certainly knows fine dining. He also enjoys mussels that are easier to hold on to in that bill. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreUnderwater Rock
While surveying for Eastern Hellbenders, we sometimes utilize technology to get a better view of potential crevices that might be used as an entrance point for the salamander to get under a rock. Using a waterproof camera, I snapped this shot to see how far back the opening went and if any hellbender faces were poking out of the darkness. Although it didn’t seem to be a long enough crevice for a hellbender to use, it still turned out to be an interesting view! Elyse Henshaw Conservation Technician
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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