News, events, and commentary from Jim Andrews and other members of the Vermont Reptile and Amphibian Atlas. The most recent posts are shown below; you can find others in our archive. If you’d like to receive these e-mails in your inbox as they are published, please e-mail Jim Andrews and request to be added to the Herp Update e-mail list.
Herp Update: Current Herp Activity, Folding Pocket Guide, Changes in our Team, End of Annual Fundraiser – March 10, 2023
March 10, 2023 Current Herp Activity Thankfully, since our last update, cooler temperatures and snows returned, keeping our amphibians in the ground where they belonged. As a result, I have not received any reports of amphibians moving or calling above ground. We did…Herp Update: Current Herp Activity, Fundraiser – February 17, 2023
February 17, 2023 Current Herp Activity Since our last update we have received two reports of single Spotted Salamanders moving over the remaining snow. They originate from opposite ends of the state: Brattleboro and Montgomery. Sightings of winter movement of Spotted Salamanders in…Herp Update: Historic Snake Reports, Fundraiser – February 7, 2023
February 7, 2023 Current Herp Activity? I have not received any reports of Vermont reptiles and amphibians moving on the surface so far in February. This is how it should be for early February. Still we received an unusual report from New…Herp Update: Current Herp Activity, Fundraiser, Eastern Musk Turtle – January 28, 2023
January 28, 2023 Current Herp Activity Now that more seasonal weather has finally arrived, reports have slowed to a trickle. Just last week though we did have a report of a Common Gartersnake moving (slowly) underwater in a small stream. We have received three winter…Herp Update: DeKay’s and Donations — January 13, 2022
January 13, 2023 Current Herp Activity Herpers, although I have not been out at night checking myself, I am not receiving any reports of amphibians moving above ground during these recent rains. At my house this morning it is raining, has been for…Holiday Herp Update: Current Herp Activity, Fundraiser — December 25, 2022
December 25, 2022 Current Herp Activity Herpers, hopefully the above ground herp activity has ceased until the next warm and wet spell. Though only two days ago on December 23, herper (and birder) Sue Wetmore reported hearing a calling Northern Leopard Frog when…Our Vermont Reptile and Amphibian Atlas Fundraiser for 2023 is Beginning
December 16, 2022 Herpers and all wildlife lovers, it is time for our: 2023 Vermont Reptile and Amphibian Atlas Fundraiser Four years ago we organized our first fundraiser. It was motivated by a decline in our regular grant funding, a pressing need to get all…Herp Update: Night Activity, Habitats+Highways Award, Kickstarter continues — November 29, 2022
November 29, 2022 Recent Herp Activity Last Sunday, November 27th, with the temperature at 41 F and a steady rain since mid-afternoon, I headed out around 9 PM to check to see what amphibians had been encouraged to move at our Morgan Road…Herp Update: Kickstarter for Field Guide, Fall migration activity—November 15, 2022
November 15, 2022 Kickstarter campaign for the first ever Field Guide to Vermont’s Amphibians Teage O’ Conner of Crow’s Path contacted us this spring asking for our collaboration in putting together a waterproof, tearproof, foldable, and super handy field guide to the amphibians…Herp Update: Fall migration activity, successful concert, spring salamander search—November 10, 2022
November 10, 2022 Upcoming Herp Activity tomorrow night, Friday, November 11 Herpers, I know that many of you have been out during the spring on a “big night” when many amphibians are moving from overwintering habitat to breeding or foraging habitat. Awareness of…
