Amphibians are changing their migration patterns with the weather.

Just as maple sap used to run in early to mid-spring, so too did amphibians migrate from the forest to vernal pools to mate.

Now the sap runs at the end of winter just as the amphibians migrate then.

Not only that but, as Laura Heady explains in a video put out by the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation, there used to be what was called a Big Night each year, when amphibians would migrate in explosive numbers.

Now, Heady says, with erratic weather patterns, the migrations, too, are sporadic and spread out over several nights. Heady is a biologist with the DEC’s Hudson River Estuary Program, which runs the Amphibian Migrations and Road Crossings Project in collaboration with Cornell University.

“The migration started a couple of weeks earlier than expected and so we’ve already had 176 people out this year,” says Heady in the video as she stands roadside in New Paltz with a headlamp highlighting the streaks of pouring rain against a dark sky.

Volunteers across the state have helped the amphibians safely across roads since 2009, and 1,600 surveys have been provided by volunteers, Heady said, with information that is used to develop recommendations for preserving these “really important amphibians.”

So far this year, she said, wood frogs, spring peepers, and salamanders have been helped by volunteers.

The Amphibian Migrations and Road Crossings Project was started to raise awareness about critical amphibian habitat, engage volunteers to help collect data on the annual migration, and reduce amphibian road mortality, according to a release from the DEC.

Al Breish who lives in New Scotland, and has retired from his job as New York State’s amphibian and reptile specialist, spoke to The Enterprise about the value of salamanders soon after his book, “The Snake and the Salamander,” was published in 2017.

Although each salamander is no more than four inches long and many people have never seen one or heard of one, Breisch said, “They are a driving force for the entire food chain. It eats many small invertebrates and is eaten by snakes and robins and turkeys.”

Breisch’s book cites studies showing that, without the red-backed salamander to eat decomposers like earthworms, much of the leaf litter on the forest floor would be gone, causing drying and erosion and potentially changing the character of the forest.

Project volunteers document road locations where they observe migrations in the Hudson Valley, record weather and traffic conditions, and identify and count amphibians on the move.

Volunteers also carefully help the amphibians safely cross roads. Since the project started, volunteers have documented 20 species and counted more than 47,000 live amphibians and 20,000 migrating amphibians killed by passing vehicles. 

Heady stressed the importance of safety — both in properly handling the amphibians and also in volunteers being dressed properly and cautious about traffic.

The DEC held in-person and virtual training for volunteers in February with 144 participants. New Yorkers interested in volunteering to participate in this annual event are encouraged to watch a series of training videos on YouTube and read the Volunteer Handbook (PDF).

In addition, potential volunteers can access a recording of the training and use materials available on the project website to learn more. Anyone interested in receiving project updates and news about the migration can subscribe to the project e-newsletter through DEC Delivers.

Heady points out that volunteers cannot schedule their participation. “They have to be ready to go at a moment’s notice,” she said.

Amphibians can travel between a quarter-mile and a half-mile to get from the forest to a vernal pool to breed. Heady suggests volunteers can look at a local map to see where forested areas are near wetlands and then stand on roads that run through those areas to help the amphibians safely cross.

The DEC supports the project, it says, to connect people to nature and educate them about the importance of wetlands and healthy, connected forests as well as to encourage conservation planning that prevents habitat fragmentation.

“Forests are carbon storage and sequestration powerhouses” says the DEC, making them valuable in fighting climate change.

“The program is also critical for maintaining the state’s rich diversity of plants and animals,” says the DEC, “and especially the vernal pool breeding amphibians that are of conservation concern throughout their Northeast range.”