A vernal pool
My pond is a "vernal pool", which means it is used by certain specific species for breeding in the spring.  Most vernal pools are just a big woodland puddle, filling up in the spring and drying up over the course of the summer.  The salamanders and frogs who use it for breeding lay their eggs and then head back to  the woods.  The offspring hatch, metamorph, and leave before the pond dries up. 

But, as you can see from the other pages of this site, this pond is more than the typical vernal pool.  While it IS a state-certified vernal pool (verified by the presence of certain breeding species, including wood frogs) it doesn't dry up, so there is also a large population of year-round frogs and turtles in addition to the spring-only visitors.  It has no fish, which is typical of a vernal pool. 

The "big night"
Every March, like clockwork, the first rainy night after the 15th that’s 40 degrees F (5 C) or warmer launches the spotted salamander and wood frog migration from the woods across the street, over the road, and down to the pond.  The rain helps to thaw them out (yes, they actually freeze during the winter!) and keeps their skin wet as make the trek to the pond. 

The road - good for us, bad for them
The road crossing provides a great opportunity to see them, because they are nearly impossible to see on the yard grass or the woodland floor.  It also provides a serious risk of car-hits, so carrying them across the road is part of the fun on Salamander Night.  Since the road is an unavoidable obstacle in their path to the breeding pond, there is no learning to be done in how to avoid it, so there is NO advantage to the gene pool in letting them get flattened!

Not exactly a "herd"
It's not like a herd of African wildebeest swarming across the street.  You'll see one over here, one over there.  Over the course of a few hours, perhaps 20 salamanders and 20 wood frogs will make the crossing.  A flashlight and a sharp eye will reveal a nice assortment of critters.  And always, watch where you step!




Salamander Night 2010

Coming soon !



Salamander Night 2009
March 26

My friend Emily and I went out with flashlight and camera to watch this amazing rite of spring.  We flagged down curious passing drivers while we scooped up the critters in the road and delivered them safely to the other side.

During the two hours we were observing, about 15 salamanders and 20 wood frogs crossed.  It dropped into the upper 30's (3 C), but still they were on the move.

Spotted Salamanders look like their spots were cut out of bright yellow plastic and glued on!

Down from the woods, at the roadside, ready to cross

The wood frogs migrate the same night as the spotted salamanders

Note the inflated side-panels of the wood frogs – they inflate like this
when they are in the pond, to make their quacking sound (no throat balloons)
(Don't know why they inflated early – just couldn't wait ?)

Hand-carry when cars came by

The morning after – this is the road they crossed, and the pond they plopped into

Notice there is still ice on the pond!
They don't seem to mind navigating the patches of snow in the yard

Once these travelers are installed in the pond, next comes the audio bloom of peeps,
quacks, and chirps as the pond explodes with the exuberant sounds of courtship for the next few weeks