Hudson Valley Volunteers For Salamander, Frog Migration: VIDEO

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — Salamanders and frogs are about to begin their annual trek from underground to forest pools, so volunteers are getting ready to patrol local roads with flashlights and reflective vests in a quirky Hudson Valley ritual.

The annual breeding migrations typically begin in mid-March.

For 13 years, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has had a cadre of volunteers helping with the Amphibian Migrations and Road Crossings Project.

"Amphibians contribute to a healthy, functioning ecosystem and during this time of year, road mortality poses a significant threat to forest species that migrate to woodland pools for breeding," said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. "DEC is grateful to the many volunteers who venture out each year to assist salamanders and frogs that encounter roads during their migration."

Activity typically starts on the first warm, rainy nights in mid-March to mid-April, after the ground has thawed and night air temperatures remain above 40 degrees Fahrenheit. The suitability of migration conditions varies locally throughout the Hudson River Estuary watershed, but when just right, can result in explosive "big night" migrations with hundreds of amphibians on the move, DEC officials said.

Forest species like wood frog, spotted salamander, and Jefferson blue-spotted salamander emerge from underground winter shelters and walk to woodland pools, which are small, temporary wetlands. The pools hold water until summer, so the adult amphibians gather, breed, and deposit eggs early to ensure their aquatic young can hatch, grow, and leave the pools before they dry up.

On the journeys, the amphibians often need to cross roads, where mortality can be high even when traffic is low.

That's where the volunteers come in.

Amphibian Migrations and Road Crossings Project volunteers document Hudson Valley road locations where they observe migrations, record weather and traffic conditions, and identify and count the amphibians on the move. They also carefully help the crossings.

The effort is coordinated by the Hudson River Estuary Program and Cornell University.

Due to the coronavirus, the Hudson River Estuary Program held virtual training programs in February and March for 115 participants. New volunteers can also train themselves by using materials on the project website.

"I encourage all New Yorkers and visitors traveling the state’s roads to be on the lookout for these vulnerable amphibians and the dedicated volunteers keeping them safe," Seggos said.

The wetlands and forests are carbon storage and sequestration powerhouses, making them an invaluable tool in New York’s nation-leading fight against climate change.

Since the project started in 2009, volunteers have counted more than 21,000 live amphibians and 9,500 migrating amphibians killed by passing vehicles. For more information, including a short video about amphibian migrations, visit DEC’s website.

Project volunteers are encouraged to use the hashtag #amphibianmigrationhv in their photos and posts on social media.