Photo credit: Mark Tegges, spotted salamander
Join us at a vernal pool in northern Baltimore County! We will spend the evening searching for critters that leave their comfortable winter hideouts to engage in their spring nuptials. They include Wood Frogs, Spotted Salamanders, Red-spotted Newts, and of course, Spring Peepers. And there are plenty of other species to see at night in the spring. While we want everyone to have a great experience, we don't want to damage the habitat, and we certainly don't want to hurt the little critters we love so much. So we ask participants not to enter the vernal pools. We will have nets to collect from the edge and aquariums to observe everything we find. Please help us out by listening to the trip leaders! (And we don't care what the calendar says, spring starts when the frogs start calling!) Leaders: Incredible local experts that will be announced closer to the program date. Volunteers needed: Your help is needed! We’d like two to three volunteers to meet folks in the parking lot and escort them safely to down to the pond as well as help with cleaning/disinfecting equipment after the program. Please contact Emily at eglaeser@marylandnature.org to sign up! Difficulty: Easy! The vernal pool is very close to the road. What to wear: Dress for the cold, wear shoes/boots that you don't mind getting muddy.
What to bring: Water, flashlight. Location: Will be given to participants the day before. Cost: Free to all BUT, because there is a limit, PLEASE REGISTER. Our amazing leaders, like most of the other people leading NHSM are volunteers! Please consider donating or becoming a member of the Natural History Society of Maryland to support our programs. Visit https://marylandnature.org/support-maryland-nature for more information. Thank you for your support!