7th Mole Salamander Migration Survey at the Alexander and Robert Sienkiewicz Nature Preserves

Date TBD the survey date for this year will be determined by weather and the salamanders’ activity. Register right away.

As in the initial surveys, the survey date for this year will be determined by weather and the salamanders’ activity. Therefore, anyone wishing to attend will need to pre-register with Ken Roblee either by email (kjroblee@yahoo.com) phone (716-989-1106) by March 10. Ken will contact everyone registered on the day of the night survey.

Upcoming Events at Our Preserves this Spring Note: Participants must register for all events to be included and notified in case of any last-minute changes. In wetland habitats, non-DEET insect repellents are required.

There will be excellent photo opportunities, so plan to bring a camera. Attendees should plan to wear rain gear and waterproof footwear. Flashlights are a must, and headlamps are recommended because they free up hands for photo-taking. This trip is rated as strenuous due to the slippery climb to the summit.

A nighttime survey of mole salamanders (family Ambystomatidae) is planned for March or early April to allow NSSWNY members to witness the explosive spring mass migration of two salamander species at Alexander.

A fourth annual nighttime survey of mole salamanders (family Ambystomatidae) is planned for March or early April to allow NSSWNY members to witness the explosive spring mass migration of two salamander species at Alexander and at a second site near Yorkshire, New York. An initial inspection of this wooded property found that it contains numerous glacial kettle ponds (pools) that may support populations of spotted (Ambystoma maculatum) and Jefferson salamanders (Ambystoma jeffersonianum). We will visit these kettle ponds during the mole salamander migration event in March and complete a visual survey to confirm the presence of either or both of these species. During three preceding salamander migration surveys at Alexander, from 2019 through 2022, NSSWNY members climbed to the wooded summit above Cattaraugus Creek to be met with numerous Jefferson salamanders and spotted salamanders marching toward the preserve’s hill-top vernal pool. Many more were observed in the pool. Data and photographs were collected, and everyone enjoyed these close-up meetings with two of the larger salamanders of our Western New York region. We are eager to see what the past year has brought for this year’s migration.