Why did the salamander cross the road?
Each spring when the weather conditions get warmer and wetter, amphibians embark on a grand seasonal migration from their overwintering habitat toward their spring breeding grounds.
This journey is called the “Big Night," although it usually happens over several rainy evenings in early spring. When temperatures rise above 40 degrees, frogs and salamanders thaw out of their frozen wintry sleep and start hopping and crawling toward their preferred mating ponds. On a busy Big Night, amphibians can flood local roadways (pun intended). Dark and rainy conditions make them very hard for drivers to see, leaving them vulnerable to injuries and fatalities.
That’s why HHLT works with the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and local volunteers to help amphibians safely cross local roadways. In late March, during a surprise downpour, we got some extra help. Katrina Shindledecker, HHLT’s Executive Director, and Nicole Wooten, HHLT’s Director of Natural Resources, were driving away from a Putnam Highlands Audubon Society event when slight sprinkles turned into heavy rain. Katrina and Nicole quickly parked and started helping frogs cross the road. They were thrilled to see many fellow party-goers coming to their aid—even though their party-appropriate attire was not exactly rainstorm-appropriate!
“Putnam Highlands Audubon is such a great partner!” Katrina said. “No one balked at us holding up this long line of cars. Instead, they jumped in to help, inching their cars forward when it was safe.”
This incredible natural phenomenon—and the many volunteers that came out to assure safe passage for these creatures—remind us of the responsibility we have to help wildlife cope with the challenges posed by the built environment.
Want to learn more about how you can help migrating amphibians? Visit the DEC's Amphibian Migrations and Road Crossings resource page or contact HHLT.