Crow’s Nest: Big Migration Night

By Daniel Barringer, Preserve Manager.

The rain didn’t hit until 6:20 pm, and when it did it came down hard. After we ate dinner and the rain let up we went for a walk to see who was migrating under these warm wet conditions that are so good for amphibians. First, we came across an American toad (above). Later we found a wood frog (below). The camera flash washes out the mask that you normally see behind their eyes.

Our paths crossed with seven spotted salamanders crossing Piersol Road, plus three that had been run over by cars. Motorists had no clue this was going on and just sped by. That’s one of the reasons we go out each year, to pay attention to this phenomenon, and to share what we see. Owen particularly liked that this salamander has a spot shaped like a heart, since we’re so close to Valentine’s Day.

I take only a few flash photos of each animal, then walk on hoping to find another. We make sure that these individuals are across the road before we move on. Below is the same salamander in its entirety.

Amphibians weren’t the only ones crossing the road, we also came across these insect larvae.