First Day of Spring Things!

This morning I was serenaded by a Song Sparrow announcing the first day of spring!

We found 2 Western Chorus Frogs hopping along the forest floor. 

In the above photo, the male Blue-spotted Salamander has clasped a female. They can stay clasped together for several minutes. This is the dating stage, before the mating stage. The male will eventually release the female, slide forward, release his spermatophores and she will draw the liquid into her body. Mating begins at 2 years of age in this species. 

(https://www.mass.gov/doc/blue-spotted-salamander/download)

We saw several Blue-spotted Salamanders swimming in vernal pools, possibly looking for mates!

I have been searching for over a week and finally saw my first butterfly of the season today! The Compton Tortoiseshell is one of the longest-lived butterflies in our region. It can live for 10 or more months and overwinters at the adult stage!

Last 3 photos courtesy of Deryl!