Interesting Observations from the Field (Non-Herps)
Kiley Briggs
Views:90 views In the course of my work, I spend a lot of time outdoors, and I see…
Browsing Category
Faces of the Forest
82 posts
How Do Severe Floods Impact Wood Turtles?
Out of all the turtles native to New England, I suspect Wood Turtles are the species most directly impacted by extreme floods. As valley stream specialists, the rivers most prone to extreme floods are the same rivers where Wood Turtles thrive.
False Mermaid Weed – A Rare Plant Rediscovered in Vermont During a Wood Turtle Survey
An early May Wood Turtle survey led to the rediscovery of a plant that hadn’t been documented in Vermont in over 100 years – false mermaid weed (Floerkea proserpinacoides).
Northern Spring Salamanders, a Jewel of the Forest
It wasn’t until high school that I encountered Vermont’s largest stream salamander, the Northern Spring Salamander… I uncovered a 7-inch-long bright orange salamander that nearly knocked my socks off.
Hybrid Salamanders Blurring the Lines Between Species
Blue-spotted and Jefferson Salamanders cannot breed with each other; they are distinct species. However, there is group of hybrids that can breed with either of the pure species.
Northern Map Turtles
Northern Map Turtles have tan or grayish shells, yellow markings on their skin, and intricate markings on their shell resembling lines on a topographic map, giving the species its name.
Animating Landscape-level Movements by Wood Turtles
We attached GPS transmitters to 15 Wood Turtles as part of a project aimed at identifying opportunities to prevent them from crossing a busy highway. The solar powered GPS units allowed us to collect a lot of data from each turtle. See where they ventured to.
Frog Breeding Frenzies and Misadventures in Mate Selection
Terrestrial frogs breeding in wetlands for brief periods each year often err in mate selection. With limited time to find a mate, they seize any opportunity, grabbing almost anything that moves.