Field Herping - A fall weekend in Ontario

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Joshsnakeman Snakes guy Dane_Zoo Joshsnakeman STEVIE IRWIN THE 3RD Dericka

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Joshsnakeman
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A fall weekend in Ontario

The season is quickly winding down to an end in ontario, we only have a few short weeks left. So a couple of us ontario guys decided to head east to an area known to have black rat snakes. They are very uncommon in ontario, as only a couple populations remain. The alarm clock went at 3:45, and we were on our way. After arriving, it was still to cool for snakes to be basking, so we checked out a trail where one of the guys (Dan Riley) had found many salamanders. Right away, we had leadbacked phase Redback Salamanders - [i]Plethodon cinereus[/i].

We started flipping rocks, turning up a bluespotted salamander, than a young Spotted Salamander - [i]Ambystoma maculatum[/i].

Some more rocks were over-turned, and a nicer looking Blue-spotted Salamander - [i]Ambystoma laterale[/i] was turned up.

We turned up another spotted, this was the first adult Spotted Salamander for Dav.

The weather started to warm up, and we hoped snakes would be out soon. Even though there weren’t many snakes, the scenery was beautiful.

Finally Dav called up ahead that he had half a garter snake. After working free loose a rock, we untangled the other half from amongst the roots.

Down the trail we went, scanning dead trees for rat snakes, and listening for rustles in the leaves. Unfortunately, nothing was found, so we stopped for lunch and headed to a nearby trail.

We walked along the boardwalk, checking the shrubs and under the boardwalk for herps.

Not much was found. Perhaps the rat snakes were already at their hibernaculums, the south facing rocky slopes?
Nothing but a garter snake at the slopes. By then we were getting a little frustrated with the lack of reptile content. We headed to a marshy area, and I noticed a couple Northern Watersnakes - [i]Nerodia sipedon sipedon[/i] sticking their noses out of the duckweed. I went in after them, and managed to pull an ugly one out of the water.
Here’s Dan photographing it.

The rest of the day was pretty unproductive, except for a couple Spring Peepers - [i]Pseudacris crucifer[/i] near the end. Nonetheless, it was good to get away from the busy-ness of school for a day.

The following day (Sunday) I went for an afternoon hike with my mom at one of my local haunts. The weather was about 20C (70F), but I wasn’t really expecting much herp content.
Second rock I flip has a beautiful Eastern Newt - [i]Notophthalmus viridescens[/i]. Only my second for this spot.

I flipped a few more rocks, then move on. Snakes were on the move. After seeing a few garters, I took some in situ shots of the ever present Northern Ribbon Snake - [i]Thamnophis sauritus[/i].

We kept walking and I noticed a little wicking twig in the leaf litter. A little Redbelly Snake -
[i]Storeria occipitomaculata[/i]! My first of the year for this locale.

The day was definitely worth it. My mom then proceeded to flip this little gem in a pine forest away from any bog. Four-toed Salamander - [i]Hemidactylium scutatum[/i]

First one of the year for me. They are uncommon and local in S. Ontario.
We kept walking, observing the fall colours and flowers.

Finally, under a different log near a brushy marsh, I flipped a second four toed! Not a bad 2 hours.

Totals:
7 Eastern Garter Snakes
4 Northern Water Snakes
1 Northern Ribbon Snake
1 Northern Redbelly Snake
1 Midland Painted Turtle

110 Green Frogs
12 Bull Frogs
5 Leopard Frogs
2 Spring Peepers
18 Eastern Redback Salamanders (13 leadback variety)
5 Blue Spotted Salamanders
2 Spotted Salamanders
2 Four-toed Salamanders
1 Eastern Newt

10/01/07 11:48am