State Gamelands (1-Apr-2016)

Today was another day of stream study site searching. I think Kelly has close to enough options to choose form for her study now. Out of several stops on this trip only one site was suitable. Above is a Two-Lined Salamander on the left and two Northern Dusky Salamanders on the right. This is how they were positioned under a rock. I would like to point out that there is a proper procedure for what to do when a salamander is found under a rock or log. The first thing to do is to wet your free hand, the other may be holding the cover object. With your now wet hand encourage the salamander to move from the area the rock covered. If the salamander does not move on its own then it can be picked up and moved. It is best to keep the in hand time as short as possible. Once all salamanders are removed from under the cover object, place the cover object back right where it was. The salamanders will find their way back under and with them moved there is no chance of crushing them. It can take a long time for suitable habitat to form underneath a rock or log. If you go through a stream or forested area flipping objects and not putting them back you are destroying the habitat for salamanders and the smaller critters they feed on. Respect the wildlife and respect their homes. 

A juvenile Spring Salamander. As I stated yesterday these are not that common of a salamander to find.

This is another type of Caddisfly Larvae case. This one is made out of pebbles and specifically flat sided pebbles. It is very unique and a very impressive home. 

The other days searching for sites we hadn't run into many frogs. On this one we found many Pickerel Frogs like the one above and one Green Frog. 

A very old bottle. It is labeled Joe Lieberman Allentown PA. After doing some searching I think it is a beer bottle and is possibly from the very end of the 18th century. I could not find any other bottles exactly like it through online searches so this may be rare. 

An American Toad that was hopping through a forested area. The frogs and this toad were not what we were looking for, but it is always nice to see any species of amphibian. 

From the first location. Not that much trash, but really there shouldn't have been any where we were. Well there should never be any trash, but there always is. 

From the second location. The flask on the left standing upright was another old one. It was labeled Warranted Flask. Not sure what it is warranted for. 

From the last location. No old bottles in this pile, but there was a glass. 

Today we also came across the first turtle I have seen on a road this year. Here Kelly is holding it proudly. It was a male Painted Turtle and we gave him a little help. If you ever find a turtle on the road the best thing to do is to move it off of the road and take it about thirty feet off of the side. Always take them in the direction they are heading. It is never good to take a turtle home as a pet and you are not saving it when you drive off with it. Several species that commonly cross roads in PA are protected species and taking them home is unlawful. It really is best just to help them across and let them go on their way. 

Tomorrow I will be back to my regular trash collecting. I may get out on the water to get to some locations that haven't been easy on foot. 

You too can help with taking out the trash! If you get out hiking take a grocery bag with you, give it a second use and fill it with trash while you are out! Every bit helps. You can also help contributing to this project here: Help Fund Taking Out the Trash

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