Spring Amphibian Migration is here!
its the most wonderful time of the year (yes, even now); spring is medicine
I woke up today with a headache, and felt like I hadn’t slept one minute. You know those mornings where you get up, and think, nah. No thanks.
But today I also heard birds outside the window. And the sun was out. So I forced myself outside, and eventually, after waiting for the ibuprofen to work, on a walk.
I headed to my neighbors pond to see what was happening. I heard them from a distance, the QUACK QUACK of the wood frogs, just arriving to the small pond, still mostly ice covered. I spotted this wood frog on the ice!
I kept moving, listening to moving water, the Red Winged Blackbird’s sharp Conk-la-ree! My limbs loosened. My jaw unclenched.
I made it down the hill, to another neighbors pond, and I saw two mallard ducks, who had just returned, and were bobbing around.
Welcome back!
Heading back up the hill I heard more wood frogs calling in a distant wetland. The sound is life. Delightful. Then, I spotted one! Midday, a wood frog crossing the dirt road to join the group. I quickly picked it up and moved it to the other side of the road before it was hit by an oncoming car. Its body was cold and still in my hand, but alive and well. I spotted and helped 4 wood frogs to safety before making it back up the hill to my house.
My whole body felt better.
We are in a constant barrage of terrible news. Human abuses, lies, violence every day. It is terrifying and overwhelming.
But spring, nature, it is here for us. It grounds us in reality. In a world beyond humans. One that is changing by the minute and is wondrous. Get out there. It will regulate you.
And please! Help the amphibians cross the roads safely. If you are driving in the rain during this time of year in a migration area, please slow down and look out for frogs, toads, and salamanders crossing! Better yet, pull over and make sure they cross safely, and try to limit driving during these critical times for the amphibians.
If you are interested in more about the absolute scientific magic of this migration, or you have a little one that might be interested, may I suggest my picture book, Salamander Sky, which is all about the spring migration of the gorgeous spotted salamander.
Here is one of my favorite pages that captures exactly how I feel when helping them cross roads, and I get to see those delightful yellow spots and round eyes.
I’m waiting for the BIG nights of crossing. I thought it would be tonight, but alas, no rain. I’ll post again with some highlights from this year’s spotted salamander migration when it happens!