Amphibian Migrations and Road Crossings

A Project of the NYSDEC Hudson River Estuary Program and Cornell University

Migration Forecast for March 7

For the lower and mid-Hudson Valley, the predicted warm, rainy evening is looking promising for migration. Of course, there are a few caveats. If you want to nerd out on the finer details, read on!

• Forecast: Currently, the National Weather Service is forecasting the rain to slow and end around 10-11pm and there may be strong winds. Dry, windy weather isn't conducive to keeping amphibian skin moist as they leave their damp, underground shelters in the forest. However, since we haven't "sprung ahead" yet, it's dark by 6:30pm. This could provide for several hours of dark, warm, and rainy weather if the forecast holds. Finally, it's important to note that we've observed migrations during wet conditions with high humidity and no rain.
• Research highlight: In the 1990 Sexton et al. article in the journal Copeia, the researchers found correlation between temperature and precipitation with breeding migration of spotted salamander in Missouri. They found soil temperature at least 40F at one foot depth below the surface was a strong cue. Their research suggested that a mean 3-day air temperature of 42F was also a predictor of migration. If we consider March 4-6, the mean temperature is only 36F. If we also consider that today's temperatures may climb to almost 60F in parts of the estuary watershed, the overall mean will be slightly higher.

So, while there's no certainty, tonight may be an opportunity to record early movement by amphibians on their way to vernal pools. 

Photo above: Spotted salamanders in Rhinebeck during 2021 migration by V. Poznack.

Getting Ready

Keep an eye on your local conditions and please plan ahead to assemble what you'll need:

• reflective safety vest
• headlamp and extra batteries (so you're visible on dark roads)
• flashlight and extra batteries (so you can see amphibians on dark roads)
• data form for recording notes during your survey
• amphibian identification guide (laminated is helpful!)
• AM&RC fact sheet (to share with curious passersby)
• a buddy or two.

I encourage you to review the Volunteer Handbook and other training resources on the project web page. If you don't know of a location where amphibians encounter roads on their breeding journeys, watch our recorded presentation on this topic. And most importantly, keep yourselves safe and handle amphibians carefully with clean hands, for as little time as needed to move them safely across the road.

When you're back to your own shelter, remember to upload your data to Survey 123 and if you share photos on social media, use the hashtag #amphibianmigrationHV so other volunteers can find your posts!

Photo below: Four-toed salamander by L. Heady (Volunteers: it's good to learn how to distinguish four-toed salamander from redback salamander!)

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"The storm starts, when the drops start dropping;
When the drops stop dropping then the storm starts stopping." - Dr. Suess

Thanks everyone and be safe!

Best,
Laura

Laura Heady
Conservation and Land Use Program Coordinator
Hudson River Estuary Program/Cornell University
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

Check out our website! Conservation Planning in the Hudson River Estuary Watershed

The Amphibian Migrations and Road Crossings project is part of a larger Hudson River Estuary Program initiative to partner with local communities to conserve natural areas and habitats that sustain the health and resiliency of the entire estuary watershed.