Fools in the Haunted Swamp 4-1-2026

Hell, it looked pretty good to me. It was in the 50s on April Fools Day and it had rained much of the day so we pulled the trigger, grabbed a pizza on the way out and went to Bristol County, right in the heart of the Bridgewater Triangle, to look for amphibians by torch-light. We got there at about 8:30 PM and could hear Peepers from the parking lot. We considered that a good sign. As we walked across the field to get to the woods, hundreds of earthworms pulled back, away from our flashlights. Man, I do enjoy seeing so many at once. I was thinking of Jeff Lieberman's Squirm (1976). Some were pretty huge. This is my size 12 shoe. (I'm NOT squishing the one under my shoe.)

The Peepers were calling from every side. As we made our way along the trail, Wood Frogs joined the chorus. But we couldn't get out eyes on any. A few eyes glowed from 30 feet away but my camera wouldn't be capable of getting anything. I did flip a Redback right next to a vernal pool, starting our night off.

I finally got a ride-'em-cowboy Wood Frog about 10 feet out. It would be the only one I'd get a shot of, and it was our First of Year.

The Peepers were deafening. I scoured the edges of the pools, the low hanging branches and twigs, and the plants sticking up from the water, but I saw zero Peepers! I spent a lot of time trying. I did see some very small Fairy Shrimp. This guy, and the dozens more that I saw, were all 1/2" or less.

A new spider for us... I thought it might be a Fishing Spider as it's about half-dollar sized, but it is Pisaurina mira- an American nursery web spider. (Thanks, Jef and Aaron!)

We did our usual route, which goes a mile or two out through the Haunted Swamp and past the power-line cut and one thing became clear. Salamanders were not moving this night. There was no sign of eggs or packets in the pools, either, so we wondered if we'd just driven 45 miles for one frog and a Redback. Well, we've done it before so yes. It's OK if we had, but heading back, we saw a small Green Frog, our FOY, sitting next to the path.

I headed back towards some of the vernals that I'd scoured earlier, determined to get a Peeper shot. I mean, there were thousands calling. Surely I could photograph one! Approaching the edge, I saw a pale body doing ride-'em-cowboy and focused on another Wood Frog. Except that it turned out to be our FOY American Toad! He is up pretty early this year!

OK, I was determined and I thought I saw some eye-shine about 20 feet out. I did. And a round throat sac. I took a dozen photos and this is my best one... our FOY mofo Spring Peeper. Damn, that was tough.

On the way out, we had another Green, a pretty big one this time. Couldn't get a shot without the blue eyes, but he's still a handsome bastard.

So, the salamanders were not moving but we made up for it with out first frogs (and toad) of the year. Four new species added, almost doubling our Reptile and Amphibian count for 2026. We're at a whopping nine! Oh well, it's been a weird year already and I don't expect that to change.

I entered the world of Annelid Porn on the way back to the car. Sexy.

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.

March Thus Far. 3-8, 10, 14 and 17, 2026

Sunday, March 8th.

It was warmer than usual so, being quite dumb sometimes, we decided to check out the local dens. Of course, we got almost two feet of snow less than a week ago, but let's look. Well, the paths were pretty treacherous so after a short hike, we just decided to just walk around the cemetery on the cleared pavement. It was rewarding because on the walk, we heard the true sign of Spring, a call of Red-winged Blackbirds. I couldn't see one, much less get the camera on one, but it still warmed our little hearts. I got a distant shot of a Wood Duck (#31) for a good consolation prize.

Tuesday, March 10th.

The temps had been amazing but this Tuesday, it was in the 60s! Andrea said I should go check the dens, so I did. No snakes yet, but I saw my first Eastern Chipmunk of the year.

And then I flipped my First of Year Redback. Actually, I flipped three but they were all really on the move so I had to grab this one and get a shitty shot as it ran away.

Saturday, March 14th

Of course, the weekend was cooler again but most of the snow was gone. We decided to go birding to see if we could get a shot of a Red-winged Blackbird. We went to the spot where Andrea took a spill last time. Most of the snow was already gone, but it was in the low 40s. The only bird I added was a Song Sparrow (#33).

Since this spot adjoins the place that holds what we call our local dens, we said "why not?"... we'd actually checked one den on the way into the park. But we were closer to a different one now and threw caution to the wind and went for it, knowing we'd fail.

We didn't. Andrea pointed out our First of Year snake, a fine Garter.

I audibly gasped when just three feet away, another Garter was out and it was posed in almost the exact same position.

We considered ourselves very fortunate. And we were. It was only 42°- 45°.

Sunday, March 15th.

We'd hoped for another day with at least a little sun. But we didn't get it. We knew that the day before we could have seen some brave turtles up basking as well as snakes, but our den spot isn't much of a turtle place. Knowing we'd fail, but hoping for the elusive Red-winged Blackbird shot, we went over to our spot in Norfolk County with the best chance for an early turtle. My car thermometer said 39°, though.

Well, I wouldn't have mentioned anything if we'd failed so, here is our First of Year turtle... a brave Spotted. It has a leech on the shell... maybe it was hoping to bake it off but there was absolutely no sun.

You never know what you'll see. You'll see nothing if you don't try.

Tuesday, March 17th.

Last night, conditions were perfect for an actual Big Night. It was in the 50s, rain had been pouring and there was a buzz in the air. But we didn't go out. I went out early in the morning the day after (about 3 hours ago, as I type) and hit the local spots to see if I could see any sign of movement. I'm not sure which ponds there get the action but I checked out three vernals and saw no salamanders, packets or eggs and I heard no Wood Frogs so my inspection was inconclusive.

I saw a very cold Leadback (first Lead!) and held him in my hand long enough to warm up and get his butt underground. (It's going to be cold tonight.)

On the way out, in a deli parking lot, there were a bunch of American Crows so I pulled in and got #34 on the year. Sharing is caring! (More like stealing, I suspect.)

That's it so far. We've heard both Red-wings and Common Grackles, so Spring is near. We blew it by not going out in the rain on Monday night where we could have seen salamanders and Wood Frogs, but what can you do? Hopefully, we'll have a decent year, but only if we actually get out and try. I plan on trying.

Ending February. 2-28-2026

We've been getting pummeled by snow. But it was a nice day on the last day of February so, after getting our taxes done, we went for a walk in the Arnold Arboretum. The temps were scrapin' 50° and it felt damn good. We saw a couple of Red-tails flying overhead at different times but never got a camera on them. I got this former bag o' bees and that's it. No birds.

Andrea was exhausted; she might be comin down with something, but I decided to go try to net a Two-lined Salamander for our first amphibian on the year. I don't like to net them when it's below freezing but it was very nice out.

I slipped in the snow, got snow down my pants and felt it melting on my butt. I slipped into the water, got double soakers and netted a couple of Two-line larvae. Here is one.

I did see one adult but I couldn't net him. These couple-of-inch critters had kicked my ass. I limped back to the car sweating, soaking, hyperventilating and all but defeated.

BUT... got a Two-line larvae. Herp #1 on the year. Suck it, Winter!

Celebrating with Feathers. Feb. 12, 14 and 15, 2026

We'd been dying to get out again for more birds but didn't want to freeze our asses off. On Andrea's birthday, which was Thursday the 12th, it was going to be over freezing so we bundled up and went over to walk along the Harbor. It's usually good for sea ducks and shore birds.

The tide was low and there was more rocky shore than we're used to but were happy to start off with some Common Eiders (#17), an easy sight for the spot.

You know, even if it was over freezing, there was still a 25-30 MPH wind and it was cold!!! These Red-breasted Merganser boys (#19) were keeping their bills warm from the wind.

This Black Duck (#21) had a lovely spot in the spillway, enjoying the clams uncovered by low tide.

We hadn't seen Brandts (#23) in a long time, not since we stopped doing the Cape Cod turtle patrols a couple of years ago. I love these guys. Cute honking was heard.

Some of nature's interesting artwork.

Do I count pigeons in my Bird Count? Why the hell wouldn't I? #24, the glorious Rock Dove, lining up nicely, looking like an ellipsis...

So, yeah... we froze but regretted nothing. We celebrated the rest of the day with good food and cake. A successful birthday experience.

For Valentine's Day, Saturday the 14th, we decided to take a walk closer to home, at the ol' park that is a filled in dump. Unfortunately, the walkway hadn't been plowed and it was slippery. We didn't see a ton of new birds (I added a Hairy Woodpecker that we got to watch a lot but my picture isn't worth sharing) but enjoyed watching some White-tailed Deer foraging not too far away. I think there were six of them.

While on the slippery path, I heard some Canada Geese honking and looked up as three birds were  coming, flying directly overheard. It was two Canada Geese and a Bald Eagle. I couldn't get a picture but it was an amazing sight. Lined up in flight next to each other, like the above pigeons. We suspect the Eagle was trying to get one of the Geese alone and tired.

Slippery yes. She lay there like a slug. It was her only defense.

Not the most fruitful of hikes but we had fun anyway.

The next day, Sunday the 15th, we decided to head back to the Harbor. A friend had photographed some sea ducks at a different spot and that ignited our interest. Oddly enough, when we got there, there weren't many birds out on the water, not even the Eiders. But we persisted and hit a couple of different spots. We saw a flock of foraging Snow Buntings (#26), a favorite of ours.

On the previous trip, I'd gotten a decent shot of a Purple Sandpiper (in at #22) but I got an even better one this trip. They (and some Dunlins) alerted me to inspect the rocks with their adorable tweeting.

This female Goldeneye (#28) shot won't win any awards but it was one of the birds we'd hoped to see.

As we were pretty much done, I went to visit a porta-toidy while Andrea went back to the car. When I was done, she was still outside the car, saying there was a bird of prey who had been chasing Rock Doves and finally had one separated that it was trying to tire out. Unlike the Eagle from the day before, the predator needed a rest as well. The pigeon hid under a car, I think. But the predator, a young Peregrine Falcon, sat right over our car and I got a bunch of nice photos.

#29, Peregrine Falcon

That was pretty exciting. We hadn't seen one in a few years.

The nature didn't end when we got home. There was a Gray Squirrel on our dumpster enjoying the remnants in a peanut butter jar. Isn't nature grand?

So, at least we're getting out a little now, getting ready for the weather to change so we can see some cold-blooded critters. Next month, I expect things to warm up enough for Wood Frogs and salamander migration. Of course, this year, who knows? But I'm ready, Andrea is ready and I'm sure the critters will be hungry!