For those who have not heard of the salamander migration, it is a unique time of year. During this small segment of time our local species of Ambystomatids (Spotted and Jefferson salamanders) come out to breed. These animals are rarely seen at other times of the year due to their secretive lifestyles. However, when spring approaches, the ground warms up, and the first warm rain hits us, these elusive animals get out of hiding and head for the ponds. The catch being that they travel only at night (traveling during the day can be hazardous to amphibians because of the moisture requirements of their skin), so in order to spot them you need to be nocturnal as well. But it is well worth it once you see these local salamander giants walking in full force.
Bull Pasture Pond is a particularly unique area, in that it has a contrast between natural woodland and fully groomed golf course. The salamanders in order to make it to the pond must cross an expanse of golf green (around 50m, but to a 20cm animal that must be a daunting amount), exposing them to risk from predation and environmental harm. So, why would they choose this pond? They have internal navigation that directs them back to the pond they were born in, so that they may return to breed there year after year.
This year, some members of the club visited the pond for several nights during the breeding period, in order to catch the breeding season. The two species of salamanders came out during different times, where the Jefferson salamander (Ambystoma jeffersonianum) was the first out, followed soon after by the Spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum). When more and more people started watching the migration we also took to assisting the animals cross the road to reduce the number of unfortunate road fatalities. During these visits we chanced upon a surprising variety of herpetofauna coming out of their Winter dormancy.
One of first Spotted salamanders (A. maculatum) of the season, when it was still quite cold.
Photo Courtesy of Brian Worthington
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Snow was falling but these salamanders were still on the move 
Photo Courtesy of Brian Magnier
An early Jefferson salamander (A. jeffersonianum). Notice they are not solid gray, but are decorated with bluish-gray speckles.
 Photo Courtesy of Brian Worthington
An Eastern Red-Spotted Newt (Notopthalmus viridescens), the highly aquatic adult form. We most commonly see these in the juvenile form, which we call Red Efts
Photo Courtesy of Audrey Bowe
This Painted turtle (Chrysemys picta) was a surprising find, because it was so cold and early in the season...
 Photo Courtesy of Brian Magnier
This Leopard frog (Lithobates pipiens). Although the hazed over eyes might have made you think otherwise (and if you were there you would have not seen it move either), it was still alive and may have just gotten out of hibernation too early.
 Photo Courtesy of Brian Magnier
We found many pools like this one, filled with Spotted salamanders.
 Photo Courtesy of Brian Worthington
Spring peeper (Pseudacris crucifer). These little guys went from the occasional peep one night to filling the air with thousands of peeps the next night.
 Photo Courtesy of Brian Worthington
More Spotted (A. maculatum) possibly in courtship. The white specks in the upper right corner are spermatophores, which are sperm packets that the males attach to sticks, rocks, etc. The female will walk over one of them and pick it up with her cloaca to fertilize her eggs, a very interesting process!
 Photo Courtesy of Brian Worthington
Spotted salamander, just to show how sizable these amphibians are. They can get up to 10 inches long.
Photo Courtesy of Audrey Bowe
This photo captures the process of the migration quite well: salamanders (like this Jefferson) walking with a purpose, and us taking pictures of their journey
 Photo Courtesy of Audrey Bowe |
It was yet another fun and successful migration!
Post by Joey Chase
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