Author: Jim Andrews

Herp Update: amphibian reports, road search education, salamander ID — April 9, 2022

Recent Activity Herpers, many amphibian reports and photos have come in over the past week. At the moment I have about 40 reports in my inbox and it will be a few days before I catch up with them and

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Basic rules for night-time road searches

Herpers, one of your fellow wildlife enthusiasts has raised some concerns about behaviors he has seen at some of our major amphibian road crossings. So, I want to remind everyone that we are trying to save individual amphibians and protect

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Herp Update: migration expected, reports, hormones — April 6, 2022

Wood frog (L. sylvaticus) amplexing a Spotted Salamander (A. maculatum). Photo by Ashley Bray and used with permission.

Amphibian Migration Expected Tomorrow Night (Thursday) Herpers, the forecast for tomorrow night (Thursday) looks excellent for amphibian migration. Please take a look at our list of common amphibians that still need to be documented from your town. Just type in

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Herp Update: Education event, migration reports, call-in show — April 1, 2022

Morgan Road Herpers, it was a big night at Morgan Road in Salisbury last night at our public educational event. This annual event is organized by the Otter Creek Audubon Society and the Salisbury Conservation Commission. Last night we had

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Herp Update: migration starts, vacation – March 20, 2022

Amphibian migrations have started Herpers, I just returned from a warm southerly vacation to find that temperatures in Vermont were just as warm, at least temporarily. So, I have been scrambling to get caught up. The warm weather at the

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Herp Update: Field Trip Winner, Cellamanders, Exotics – March 1, 2022

Field Trip Winner One of the promotional gifts during our annual fundraiser is entering anyone who contributes $200 to $999 in a drawing for a free herp field trip in Vermont for them and up to ten friends. Yesterday, I

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Herp Update: Cellarmanders, new reports, fundraising – February 18, 2022

Recent Reports Herpers, we were surprised to receive a report of a male Blue-spotted Salamander (see photo below) that was crossing a road in Ferrisburgh on February 12. This is the first February report we have had of this species.

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Herp Update: Critical Habitat Protection – February 11, 2022

Spiny Shoftshell turtle basking on a barkless log, in the sun. Photo copyright Josh Lincoln and used with permisson.

Protection of Critical Habitat Herpers, as of this week, the state of Vermont has for the first time designated specific areas of habitat as critical habitat to be protected for two state-listed species. This has been in the works for

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Herp Update: End GoFundMe ’22, field trip drawing, thanks to illustrators – February 1, 2022

Fundraiser for 2022 has ended Herpers, we shut down our GoFundMe site today.  We had a very successful fundraiser raising $24,424 for our work in 2022.  Thanks to everyone who contributed and helped make this drive successful.  If you were

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Groundwater, Ice, and Herp Survival – January 28, 2022

Great Blue Heron preying on Green Frog tadpole at an icy pond. Photo © copyright Rich Armitage and used with permission.

Groundwater helps keep herps alive in the winter Herpers, I could not wait until next week to show you this great photo sent to me by wildlife photographer Rick Armitage. Rick lives in Whitehall, NY, but has sent quite a

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