Amphibian Activity Reports continue to come in reporting fall uphill migration of amphibians. Although I focused on the fall migrations of Eastern Red-backed Salamanders, Blue-spotted Salamanders, and Four-toed Salamanders in one of my previous Herp Updates, the reports include uphill…
Artificial Cover for Snakes A common method to survey for snakes is to put out artificial cover in good snake habitat. I have a series of slate “sandwiches” on my property that I have put out to attract snakes and…
On sunny and warm fall days another really interesting and dangerous (for them) herp migration takes place. It is the movement of snakes back to their dens. The cool nights and shorter days cue snakes that it is time to…
Fall Migration of Amphibians Very few people are aware of the fall migration of amphibians. The uphill migrations consist of amphibians moving from moist lowlands (near breeding ponds) to better drained upland forests where they will follow small-mammal tunnels and…
Herpers, one of the more interesting reports to come in over the last two days was this report and photo from Ken Hatch of a Common Gartersnake frozen into a thin layer of ice in Addison. Ken reported: “I found…
Herpers, in portions of the Lake Champlain Basin everything came together last night. Kate Kelly and I were investigating some previously unvisited locations in Rutland County. On our return we swung by two crossing sites near Fern Lake in Leicester…
Herpers, there was lots of amphibian movement last night during the rains. Where I was along Route 100 in Granville, the rains did not come through until after 11 PM making for a late night. Still, the team I was…
Herpers, these first frosty nights of the fall will motivate snakes to head back to their dens. The first warm sunny afternoon after a frost is one of the easiest times to find snakes. The frosty night is the signal…
A brief round up of this month’s news and mentions of the Atlas: May 18: “F&W: Turtles on the Roadway Need Your Help” from Saint Albans Messenger at https://www.samessenger.com/news/f-w-turtles-on-the-roadway-need-your-help/article_6f8ba722-9906-11ea-a519-13455e108690.html “When you spot a turtle in the road, you may be…
A note from Jim: Herpers, the current forecast for Sunday night looks good for amphibian migration. Here in the Lake Champlain Basin, Spotted Salamanders may still be moving away from breeding pools, but in the mountains, north-central Vermont, and the…
