Helping frogs hop home: Amphibians migrate on Big Night

Helping frogs hop home: Amphibians migrate on Big Night Lucy Dockter ’23

Westport’s amphibian residents play a real life game of Frogger as each spring, they make a dangerous dash across the roads, dodging cars and predators, to find safe breeding grounds.

On rainy nights, typically early March to mid-April, amphibians across the region migrate from woods to vernal pools to lay their eggs. Professional and amateur herpetologists dub the peak times of these evening crossings, "Big Nights."

Vernal or woodland pools are small, temporary wetlands that are a critical breeding environment for amphibians. Before the pools dry up in summer, adult amphibians gather to breed and lay eggs.

This wood frog is crossing Bayberry Lane near Coleytown Elementary.

Migration distances can vary from a few hundred feet to a quarter of a mile according to the Department Environmental Conservation (DEC). Due to increased development, forest and wetland habitats have been separated, forcing amphibians to cross long roads and driveways to make it to safety. This leads to high mortality rates among these animals, even in low traffic areas.

To reduce the mortality rate, various conservation groups encourage volunteers to scout out locations where migrations occur, document migrating amphibians and assist them across the road. Since the Amphibian Migrations and Road Crossings (AM&RC) Project, centered in New York, began in 2009, volunteers have helped over 17,000 amphibians across roads.

Pictured right: Sadly, this wood frog had no human chaperone and did not make it.

You can help out in your own neighborhood. Make sure to take necessary precautions: wear reflective safety vests and headlamps to look for amphibians and stay clear of passing vehicles. Do not go out in dangerous conditions such as high winds or downpours.

Watch out for vehicles when walking in the dark. If you see a car coming, assume they cannot see you and walk off the road.

The safety of the amphibians is also important. Frogs and salamanders should only be touched by hands free of hand sanitizer, lotion and other possibly toxic substances. If possible, moisten your hands prior to picking up amphibians to minimize disturbance to their skin. Additionally, amphibians should not be handled for long periods of time. If one is in the middle of the road, move it off in the direction it is already heading.

Peepers' loud chirps are a sure sign of spring.

This pickerel frog is finding its way to the closest ephemeral pond.

This four-toed salamander was so small we had to pick it up on a leaf to move it off the road.

Two toads take a break from crossing to ensure future generations.

Habitat decimation is the leading cause of amphibian die-off globally. Frogs and salamanders are the world's most endangered vertebrates. Check out this volunteer handbook to find out how you can do your part to help these important creatures.

Appreciate

Credits:

All photos by Lucy Dockter ’23