We got a little rain in the pre-dawn hours here in southwest New Hampshire,
and it seems to have spurred a small spotted salamander migration. I was
delighted to discover spermatophores (along with a guardian spotted
salamander) and a number of newly-laid spotted salamander eggs at a vernal
pool in Peterborough, NH this morning, and more spermatophores in a pool in
Hancock, NH.
I also had the rather odd experience of hearing wood frogs chorus while
watching wood frog tadpoles hatch out of three-week-old eggs in the same
pool.
All the same, the vernal pools around here are dryer than I've ever seen
them in spring. A number of pools - which, in other years, are brimming
with salamander eggs and fairy shrimp at the end of April - are already bone
dry. What a spring, eh?
Best,
Brett
-----
Brett Amy Thelen, M.S.
Program Director, Ashuelot Valley Environmental Observatory
Harris Center for Conservation Education
(603) 358-2065
thelen@harriscenter.org
www.aveo.org
mailing address
83 King's Highway
Hancock, NH 03449
physical address
Carroll House, Room 303
Keene State College
Keene, NH 03435
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