It's Spring, and the End of March. 3-20,26,29 and 31. 2026

Here is what we have seen in the last couple of weeks.

Friday March 20th.
It was warm and sunny so I urged Andrea to take her lunch in the car so we could check out some local dens. No snakes, but we saw a couple of Redbacks.



Thursday, March 26th.
Same thing except is wasn't as warm. Only in the mid-40s. Looked like it would be another Redback only day, which is, of course, fine. This was a teaching salamander for an interested kid.

The Cottonwood Den surprised us, however, with some Garters out attempting to get some sun.

A Leadback.

On the way home, we got Bird #34, a Common Grackle that will always be in our hearts.

Sunday, March 29th.

It was supposed to be warmish but cloudy on this Sunday but we were determined to get out so we went to our Spring Spotted Turtle place in Norfolk County and were not disappointed.

We heard Wood Frogs a'plenty. There was even one spot where we could hear Woods, Peepers and a couple of Northern Leopards but we couldn't get our eyes on any frog bodies. Andrea saw one Wood move in the distance. But they were there!

We saw a dirty but cute Garter on the way out, near the front where some of the Spotted Turtles were still up.

Andrea still hadn't seen a Two-lined Salamander yet on the year so I netted this large larvae for her to see. The little cutie is almost ready!

We went over to the local cemetery to see if any turtles were up basking. As expected, some Red-ears were eager to start the year. This quartet are not invasive. I saw no army helmets or guns with bayonets attached... just some released pets that said "fuck you, I didn't want to live in your filthy, uncared for tank anyway!"

Humans suck. Turtles do not.

Tuesday, March 31st.

It's a warm but rainy Tuesday. I went alone to see if the recent rain has caused any movement at the local spot. A Spotted Salamander or two have been reported in nearby towns. I saw none nor did I hear any Wood Frogs at any of the vernals that I checked out on a two hour walk. I heard some Peepers. I heard an Oven Bird, which I thought odd... kinda early I'd think.

My only sights were some more Redbacks,. the first of which is leadier than a pencil point.

Thatsa that. Only five species for the year so far but I'm not going to complain. Every critter makes the world a better place.  Oh, and I got a tiny tick today.