Vernal Pool Certification

In Massachusetts, citizens can submit data to the Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program in order to certify vernal pools. Certification provides enhanced regulatory protection under state law and under local bylaws in some cases.

Involving children in the certification process can be a marvelous experience for all.

Turtles

Here are a Snapping Turtle and a Painted Turtle from a Vernal Pool in Nahanton Park today. The Snapper was about 15 inches long.

Unfortunately, turtles in Massachusetts are increasingly vulnerable to road traffic.


For information about turtle conservation in Massachusetts, click here.

Peepers Mating

Here are some photos of Spring Peepers in amplexus in Hammond Woods earlier today. They are actively calling at locations such as Hammond Woods and Nahanton Park right now.

Most of Newton's vernal pools have been certified, but I am working on certifying the remaining pools. If you are interested in helping out, please contact me.

On the move

Here's a picture of a large gravid Spotted Salamander as well as the rare Blue-spotted Salamander taken in Newton earlier this week. These vernal pool breeding species have been on the move with the recent rain. The Blue-spotted Salamander is listed as a species of Special Concern in Massachusetts and is protected pursuant to the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act. This species has a fascinating and bizarre means of reproduction which will I will describe in a future posting. I am collaborating with other researchers across the state in collecting tissue samples from this species this spring for a genetics study.

Mourning Cloak

First butterfly of the season over Washington Street. The Mourning Cloak overwinters as an adult, and can sometimes be seen flying in late winter.

Like Clockwork

February 26, 2009 - Red-winged Blackbird singing at Bullough's Pond.

Musk Turtle

Which native species continue to occur in Newton and other urban environments? How are they distributed and will they persist? Which species are thriving (e.g. American Robin), and which species are barely hanging on (Wood Thrush). I continue to explore Newton in an attempt to begin to answer these questions. For example, last year I documented a Flying Squirrel, and discussed the distribution of Wood Frogs and Red Squirrels. Yesterday, while fishing at Crystal Lake, I observed a Musk Turtle. While I knew that Crystal Lake supports Painted Turtles and Snappers, I was unaware of the presence of these more secretive turtles. Presumably the Musk Turtles of Crystal Lake are completely isolated from other Musk Turtle populations due to surrounding development and the risk of road mortality?