10pm Tues Apr5
Hello,
Tonight was the very interesting “amphibian march” here in Port Joli.
Based upon what John Gilhen ( John is a herpetologist with the NS Museum) told me last year they were right on cue as this was the first warm wet night in late March/early Apr.
How amazing that across Queen Co (and probably Shelburne and coastal Lunenburg) thousands of these large wood salamanders are tonight crawling from their underground burrows and making their way to ponds where they will lay their eggs before returning to their woodland habitat.
Along with numerous very large black spotted salamanders (estimate the larger ones to be 15 cm in length) there was also the occasional wood frog or two (med size orangey colored). As an early count I’d say about a dozen or so salamanders crossing along a road length of 10 metres.
They were exiting from the woods and crossing the road by my home to make their way to our pond (named when my kids were young as “The Frog Pond).
I suspect that by now there are many many dozens (similar to last year) and I’m a bit curious and wonder about checking out the pond however as I’m the only one currently up (6am comes early) and the wind is howling, the rain is belting down every so often and the darkness is rather foreboding I’m not heading back outside for any more pics .
Darlene Norman
#99 .. When they stop they raise their head and almost take a dragon stance. In loose “DOT winter ice sand” on the shoulder of the road
#06 .. For a comparison my boots are women size 8.
#11 .. And when I relate this to a measure .. This salamander is 15 cm.
