Mahoosuc Land Trust’s first effort to participate in Maine Big Night was a “big” success. Over the course of one hour in the dark of the night on April 14, volunteers assisted 64 amphibians — or about one per minute — in their migration over Route 5 in Andover. The tally included spotted salamanders, spring peepers, wood frogs, green frogs, and red efts.
All of April is “Big Night Maine,” when volunteers help amphibians safely cross roadways to vernal pools. This critter was helped by a volunteer during the Mahoosuc Land Trust’s first organized volunteer night on April 14. Submitted photo
During migration season, which is typically mid-April to mid-May in this area, amphibians cross roads to seek safe harbor for the development of their eggs in vernal pools. These temporary pools typically fill with water for a short time in spring and fall and provide important breeding habitat that is nearly predator-free. The amazing amount of life emerging from these pools each year then provides an important food source for larger animals.
Maine Big Night: Amphibian Migration Monitoring is a community science project where anyone can participate in collecting important data on migrating frogs and salamanders, according to verbalpools.me. The project occurs every April and has over 300 locations statewide.
“Hands-on interaction with wildlife can be such a rare event,” said Spenser Williams, land steward at Mahoosuc Land Trust, “that having so many in such a short time makes for a bit of an adrenaline rush and very fond memories.”
Marcel Polak and his wife, Emily, have been keeping an eye on their pond in North Woodstock. They report that April 21 was “the night” for migrations at their place. “It was 40 degrees and we went down to our pond at around 11 p.m. We saw around 40 to 50 spotted salamanders,” Marcel Polak said.
Becca Hoskins and Meg Kuker established a site on Bear River Road in Newry, where they rescued around 50 amphibians, mostly spring peepers, wood frogs, and a couple of salamanders.
“This annual migratory event is an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the well-being of Maine wildlife,” said Hoskins. “Even when I’m not at an official research site, if I see frogs and salamanders crossing the road, I stop to move them when it’s safe to do so.”
Salamanders, especially, are slower and more vulnerable to cars. “I feel a responsibility to offset the ecological impacts of the roads we all travel. I hope that even if people don’t become a certified volunteer, that they will consider pulling over once in a while (in a safe location) to move amphibians off the road if they’re driving while these fragile critters are on the move,” Hoskins said.
While the event is called “Big Night Maine,” it’s not limited to a single night and volunteers may participate when they can and provide data when they’re able to collect it.
Volunteers must have a good understanding of traffic safety to participate.
To collect data for the project, all participants 18 years or older must pass an online safety and identification quiz to become a Big Night certified volunteer scientist. Minors are welcome but must be accompanied by a certified volunteer.
Organizers have identified a variety of family-friendly sites that have low traffic, low speed limits, and good visibility if minors are interested in participating.
Even if you don’t want to collect data, you can still help local amphibian populations move across roadways. Look for pools near roadways, or listen for peepers. Any rainy night above 45 degrees before mid-May is a likely opportunity to lend assistance.
Organizers suggest wearing reflective gear and volunteers are asked not to try to stop traffic.
For more information, or to sign up to volunteer and provide data, go to vernalpools.me/big-night/.
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