to Herpers: Amphibians and Reptile Activity

Herpers, there was lots of activity last night and I am still working through all the reports. I received reports from Alburgh south to Brandon and east to Northfield. The species list is extensive: Jefferson, Blue-spotted, Spotted, Four-toed, and Eastern Red-backed Salamanders as well as Eastern Newts, Wood Frogs, Spring Peepers, Northern Leopard Frogs, Green Frogs, and even American Toads (heat lovers) and Pickerel Frog. Larry C sent a photo of a Wood Frog in amplexus with a Green Frog in Essex. Not much hope for kids with that mating.

We now have full choruses of Wood Frogs, Spring Peepers, and Northern Leopard Frogs from multiple locations.

In the turtle category we received reports during the day of Painted and Snapping Turtles. Sadly some of the Painted Turtles had been hit in the road. The Snapping Turtles were just emerging from overwintering sites in springs and streams and moving overland back to open water.

Moving out of the herps and into the avian reptiles we had Caspian Tern in Addison and our first Chipping Sparrow here in Salisbury.

Pickerel Frog, New Haven, VT. copyright © 2019 M. Groton

The prize for best record of yesterday though goes to my UVM student Matthew G for his photograph of the first ever Pickerel Frog to be reported from New Haven. Way to go Matt!