Field Reports from the 2025 Amphibian Migration

Final Field Report from A Record-Breaking Season

This report is a work in progress. We’ll remove this note when it’s complete.

Fickle forecasts were a constant challenge this spring, but nothing could quell the salamander (& frog) joy! You can find more photos from this year’s Crossing Brigades on Flickr.
(photo © Brett Amy Thelen)

This year’s salamander season brought more than a few logistical challenges — including many nights where rain arrived after midnight or with little warning — but our intrepid community scientists were up to the task! Despite the tricky weather, nearly 400 people volunteered with our Salamander Crossing Brigades in the spring of 2025, contributing over 1,300 volunteer-hours and providing safe passage for a record 11,650 individual amphibians — including 7,307 spring peepers, 2,119 wood frogs, 813 spotted salamanders, 446 gray tree frogs, and 325 American toads — at 41 crossing sites in 23 towns throughout southwest New Hampshire. This brings our project total to an astounding 97,367 amphibian rescues since 2007!!

Our Crossing Brigadiers also documented a sobering 2,102 road-killed amphibians this year, and identified 18 new-to-us amphibian road crossing locations that we’ll add to our map of crossing sites for next spring.

Big Night Detours

In Keene, amphibians were afforded a greater measure of protection, as the Harris Center worked with the City of Keene to close the North Lincoln Street crossing site to all vehicles on 4 migration nights and to close the Jordan Road crossing site to through-traffic on 3 migration nights — ensuring safe passage even after our Crossing Brigadiers had gone home for the night. This was the seventh season of Big Night detours at North Lincoln Street, and the fourth year at Jordan Road. To our knowledge, Keene is still the only community in the Granite State to close roads for the protection of migrating amphibians. It’s an honor to partner with them on this inspiring conservation measure.

Who could resist a face like that? No one, that’s who. 
(photo © Nina Duggan)

Last but not least, our efforts made headlines in 2025 — including an article in the Boston Globe and an Earth Day feature on NHPR that made its way to many other New England public radio stations. Boston’s WBUR also re-ran this classic story from 2015.

A Note of Gratitude

Staff ecologist Nate Marchessault, ready for a night on the salamander beat! (photo © Nina Duggan)

Thank you to one and all. What you’ve done this spring is more than science. It’s an act of love — and of heroism — repeated rainy night after rainy night. Your care for our fellow creatures is an inspiration, moving brightly through the night.

Special thanks to Harris Center staff ecologist Nate Marchessault for many late and last-minute nights on the salamander beat, and for his essential help with data management, volunteer coordination, and myriad other behind-the-scenes tasks; to interns Lena Goins, Chloe March, and Ryan Rotigliano for their enthusiastic assistance at the Keene crossings; to Duncan Watson and the Keene Department of Public Works for their unwavering support of the Big Night detours at North Lincoln Street and Jordan Road; and to Site Coordinators Cathleen Calmer, Lindsay Carter, Donna Crane, Cheri Domina, Nicole Forsyth, Kathy Huston, Dana Kedziora, Caitlyn Parmelee, Karen Rent, Kara Reynolds, Gabe Roxby, Kathy Schillemat, Liza Serenqua, Sarah Thomas, and Sarah Wilson for being such a welcoming presence on the roads (and sometimes the only presence on the road…) We simply couldn’t do it without you.

Be sure to visit our Flickr feed for more photos from this season’s Crossing Brigades, and read on for site-by-site details from each crossing, listed in alphabetical order by town and road.

Concord

After years of being in the spotlight, wood frogs have grown quite patient with the paparazzi. (photo © Nina Duggan)

Fisk Road. Over the course of two early-season outings at Fisk Road, one longtime Brigadier crossed 9 spotted salamanders (+1 dead), 2 red-backed salamanders, 14 wood frogs (+6 dead), and 7 spring peepers. In what became a repeat occurrence across multiple sites this season, he also watched a Barred Owl pluck an unlucky amphibian from the side of the road. The owls know it’s Big Night, too…
Total: 32 live + 10 dead

Dublin

Page Road. A solo salamander shepherd spent one night on patrol at Page Road, providing safe passage for 4 spotted salamanders, 1 spring peeper, and 1 wood frog (+9 dead).
Total: 6 live + 9 dead

Valley Road. Two newt lovers covered the pre-sunset shift one evening at Valley Road, crossing 15 red efts (+7 dead) and 1 spring peeper in an hour.
Total: 16 live + 7 dead

Hancock

In the spring of 2025, our Crossing Brigade volunteers moved a jaw-dropping 2,119 individual wood frogs to safety — including this dapper gent. (photo © Brett Amy Thelen)

Antrim Road. A father-son team investigated Antrim Road on a night with less-than-ideal weather, nonetheless crossings 2 hearty wood frogs and 1 spring peeper.
Total: 3 live

Middle Road. A lone amphibian admirer spent one night on patrol at Middle Road, crossing 1 spotted salamander, 3 Eastern newts (+6 dead), 14 wood frogs (+2 dead), and 13 spring peepers (+5 dead).
Total: 31 live + 13 dead

Route 137. In one night on Route 137 near the fire station, two wildlife protectors crossed 1 Eastern newt, 15 wood frogs (+5 dead), 20 spring peepers (+14 dead), 3 pickerel frogs (+1 dead), and 1 American toad. They also documented 1 dead spotted salamander and 5 unidentified dead amphibians.
Total: 40 live + 6 dead

Harrisville

Further proof — as if you needed any — that salamanders make people smile.
(photo © Carolyn Wiley)

Breed and Nelson Roads at Child’s Bog. Passing through on her way home from other crossing sites on two different nights, one longtime Brigadier provided safe passage for 1 spring peeper (+1 dead), 1 green frog, and 10 American toads (+2 dead), and counted 6 additional road-kills. Though these totals don’t reflect it, she knows from experience that this site needs more help in 2026.
Total: 12 live + 9 dead

Hancock Road. A terrific twosome spent one night on patrol between the Lake Skatutakee boat launch and the bridge near Main Street, where they provided safe passage for 7 spotted salamanders, 7 wood frogs, 15 spring peepers, and 1 unidentified amphibian.
Total: 30 live

Henniker

River Road. The River Road crew — 18 Brigadiers strong! — spent five nights on patrol, collectively crossing 13 spotted salamanders, 4 Jefferson complex salamanders, 8 Eastern newts (+2 dead), 3 four-toed salamanders (+1 dead), 8 red-backed salamanders, 29 wood frogs (+3 dead), 60 spring peepers (+15 dead), 19 gray tree frogs, 3 green frogs (+1 dead), and 22 American toads (+3 dead), and recording 1 dead amphibian of unknown species. This was the first record of four-toed salamanders for this site!
Total: 169 live + 28 dead

Hillsboro

Concord End and Flint Roads. One salamander-loving couple patrolled Flint and Concord End Roads on two different nights, providing safe passage for 12 spotted salamanders (+3 dead), 2 Eastern newts (+1 dead), 2 red-backed salamanders, 1 wood frog, 1 pickerel frog (+1 dead), 2 green frogs, and 1 American toad, and recording 2 dead unidentified amphibians.
Total: 21 live + 7 dead

Jaffrey

“I don’t care what the salamanders say. This is no time for smiling.” (photo © Nate Marchessault)

Dublin Road. A solo salamander superhero covered two sections of Dublin Road by bicycle on a single night, crossing 1 spotted salamander (+1 dead), 1 Eastern newt, 4 red-backed salamanders, 3 wood frogs (+2 dead), 13 spring peepers, 1 bullfrog, and 2 American toads. Many additional roadkills went uncounted.
Total: 25 live + countless dead

Gilmore Pond Road. The same valiant volunteer then moved on to Gilmore Pond Road, where they crossed 7 spring peepers and 1 gray tree frog, and recorded 1 dead spottie, in just 15 minutes.
Total: 8 live + 1 dead

Gilson Road. To complete their route, the bicycling Brigadier also spent 15 minutes on Gilson Road between Thorndike Pond Road and McCoy Road, providing safe passage for 3 spotted salamanders, 2 spring peepers, 1 pickerel frog, 1 green frog, 5 bullfrogs, and 1 American toad.
Total: 13 live

Route 137. A frog-loving family of four spent one night on patrol at a new-to-us site on Route 137 between Crestview Drive and the Hope Baptist Church, where they crosssed 30 spotted salamanders (+1 dead), 3 Eastern newts, 1 red-backed salamander, 70 wood frogs (+ approx. 50 dead), approx. 150 spring peepers (+ approx. 100 dead), 4 pickerel frogs (+1 dead), 6 bullfrogs (+2 dead), and 37 American toads (+2 dead).
Total: approx. 301 live + 156 dead

Keene

This is a look we like to call Salamander Chic: fetching and highly visible! (photo © Katherine Stewart)

Citizens’ Way. A family of longtime Brigadiers passed through this new-to-us site on their way to and from the North Lincoln Street crossing one night, stopping to cross 1 wood frog, 6 spring peepers (+4 dead), 1 green frog, and 1 bullfrog (+1 dead).
Total: 9 live + 5 dead

Court Street. A caring mother-daughter team stopped to investigate this new-to-us site just north of the junction with East Surry Road, where they crossed 2 live wood frogs (and counted a dismaying 24 dead) in less than half an hour on a single night. This site needs more help in 2026!
Total: 2 live + 24 dead

East Surry Road. Four frog fans spent a total of six nights on patrol along East Surry Road, providing safe passage for 2 spotted salamanders (+2 dead), 7 Eastern newts (+4 dead), 1 red-backed salamander, 61 wood frogs (+5 dead), 68 spring peepers (+1 dead), 10 pickerel frogs, 25 gray tree frogs, 3 green frogs, 2 bullfrogs, 14 American toads, and 22 additional amphibians of unknown species.
Total: 215 live + 12 dead

Eastern Avenue. Three brave Brigadiers patrolled Eastern Avenue over the course of seven nights, crossing 84 wood frogs (+60 dead), 39 spring peepers (+67 dead), 14 gray tree frogs (+8 dead), 5 green frogs, 1 bullfrog (+2 dead), and 1 American toad, and recording 1 dead newt and 10 unidentified dead. This site needs more help in 2026, but it is not kid-friendly!
Total: 144 live + 148 dead

Keene is the first community in the Granite State to close roads for the protection of migrating amphibians — but we’re confident they won’t be the last. (photo © Brett Amy Thelen)

Jordan Road. The Jordan Road crew — 27 Crossing Brigadiers strong! — spent an impressive 10 nights on patrol. Thanks to our ongoing partnership with the City of Keene, the road was closed to through-traffic on three of those nights. Collectively, these intrepid Brigadiers crossed 56 spotted salamanders (+3 dead), 24 Jefferson complex salamanders, 4 Eastern newts (+1 dead), 1 two-lined salamander, 34 red-backed salamanders (+1 dead), 118 wood frogs (+17 dead), 224 spring peepers (+33 dead), 1 pickerel frog, 84 gray tree frogs, 1 green frog, 14 American toads, and 1 unidentified live amphibian. Many additional amphibians likely crossed under the protection of the road closures after our Brigadiers had gone home for the night.
Total: 562 live + 55 dead

Helping hands at North Lincoln Street.
(photo © Brett Amy Thelen)

North Lincoln Street. At North Lincoln Street, a whopping 156 volunteers and visitors (!!!) spent a remarkable 13 nights on amphibian patrol from mid-March through early May. Thanks to our ongoing partnership with the City of Keene, the road was closed to vehicles to protect migrating amphibians and provide a safe place for people to witness the magic of the migration on four of those nights. Collectively, this robust crew counted and crossed 44 spotted salamanders (+4 dead), 47 Eastern newts (+42 dead), 5 red-backed salamanders, 747 wood frogs (+15 dead), 3,171 spring peepers (+145 dead), 263 gray tree frogs (+12 dead), 3 green frogs, 7 bullfrogs (+1 dead), and 17 American toads. They also recorded 3 unidentified live amphibians and 3 unidentified dead. Many additional amphibians surely made their way — uncounted, but protected by the road closure barricades — after our Brigadiers had gone home for the night.
Total: 4,307 live + 222 dead

Route 10. One brave Brigadier spent one night on Route 10 near the Keene-Gilsum line, where they crossed 4 spotted salamanders (+2 dead), 3 wood frogs, 39 spring peepers, 2 pickerel frogs, 4 green frogs, and 1 American toad. They did not count the “many, many dead amphibians” in the midst of all the fast-moving cars. This continues to be a very tough site for frogs and the people who care about them.
Total: 53 live + countless dead

Crossing Brigadiers spied Barred Owls hunting — quite successfully! — from roadside perches at Fisk Road in Concord, Jordan Road and North Lincoln Street (pictured) in Keene, and Nelson Road in Nelson this spring. The owls love Big Nights too…
(video © Chloe March)

Marlborough

Route 124. Two amphibian admirers patrolled the stretch of Route 124 near Thatcher Hill on one night, providing safe passage for 4 wood frogs (+11 dead) and 1 spring peeper (+1 dead).
Total: 5 live + 12 dead

Mont Vernon

Beech Hill Road. A dedicated duo spent two nights at this new-to-us site, where they crossed 1 spotted salamander (+1 dead), 1 Eastern newt, 5 wood frogs (+3 dead), 17 spring peepers (+6 dead), 1 pickerel frog (+1 dead), 1 green frog, and 2 American toads.
Total: 28 live + 11 dead

Nelson

Granite Lake Road. A night owl patrolled Granite Lake Road in the wee hours on two separate occasions, providing safe passage for 7 Eastern newts (+13 dead) and 19 spring peepers (+21 dead). He also found 1 dead wood frog.
Total: 26 live + 35 dead

Nelson Road. The Nelson Road crew — 39 Brigadiers strong! — spent an impressive nine nights on patrol. Together, they crossed 205 spotted salamanders (+32 dead), 43 Eastern newts (+17 dead), 40 red-backed salamanders, 167 wood frogs (+30 dead), a record 2,090 spring peepers (+ a saddening 541 dead), 2 pickerel frogs (+1 dead), 1 gray tree frog, 23 green frogs (+1 dead), 3 bullfrogs, and 63 American toads (+13 dead). This site needs more help in 2026!
Total: 2,637 live + 366 dead

Our Crossing Brigades provided safe passage for a record-breaking 7,307 spring peepers — including this one — in the spring of 2025. (photo © Nate Marchessault)

New Boston

The New Boston crew takes amphibian crossing very, very seriously. (photo © Jen Boisvert)

Middle Branch Road. A solo salamander shepherd spent one night at this crossing, where they provided safe passage for 6 spotted salamanders and 3 red-backed salamanders.
Total: 9 live

Old Coach Road. Across town, another amphibian admirer spent the same night providing safe passage for 5 spotted salamanders, 2 wood frogs, 1 spring peeper, and 1 American toad in a dense fog at Old Coach Road.
Total: 9 live

Weare Road. Three salamander seekers also did a one-night, after-midnight run at Weare Road, crossing 5 spotted salamanders (+2 dead) and 12 spring peepers in the wee hours.
Total: 17 live + 2 dead

New Ipswich

Sharon Road. A solo salamander saver investigated this new-to-us site, where she crossed 6 spotted salamanders (+3 dead), 6 wood frogs (+4 dead), and 5 spring peepers (+2 dead) in just 30 minutes on a single night.
Total: 17 live + 9 dead

Thayer Road. Over the course of two nights, one salamander-loving couple crossed 18 spotted salamanders, 3 red-backed salamanders, 38 wood frogs (+8 dead), 8 spring peepers, 1 pickerel frog, 2 green frogs, and 10 American toads at this close-to-home crossing. They also recorded 5 unidentified dead.
Total: 80 live + 13 dead

Newport

Oak Street. A mother-daughter team of longtime Brigadiers took to Oak Street for their annual springtime ritual, crossing 1 spotted salamander (+4 dead), 7 Eastern newts, 3 red-backed salamanders, 14 spring peepers (+18 dead), and 1 American toad in one night on patrol. They also documented 3 unidentified roadkill.
Total: 26 live + 25 dead

Peterborough

Summer Street. The dedicated Summer Street crew— an incredible 47 Brigadiers strong! — spent ten nights on patrol, providing safe passage for 53 spotted salamanders (+1 dead), 4 Eastern newts (+5 dead), 7 red-backed salamanders, 314 wood frogs (+61 dead), 348 spring peepers (+66 dead), 1 pickerel frog (+1 dead), 4 gray tree frogs, 11 green frogs (+6 dead), 8 bullfrogs (+3 dead), and 37 American toads (+9 dead). Heartfelt thanks, as always, to the Peterborough Conservation Commission and Peterborough DPW for the official “Salamander Crossing” and “Volunteers Ahead” road signs they provide for this site!
Total: 787 live + 152 dead

Rindge

Old Ashburnham Road. A lone salamander shepherd surveyed the section of Old Ashburnham Road near the junction with Ferin Road, crossing 37 spotted salamanders, 2 Jefferson complex salamanders, 34 wood frogs (+23 dead), and 56 spring peepers (+23 dead), and recording 7 additional unknown dead, in just one night.
Total: 129 live + 42 dead

Sullivan

Valley Road. One amphibian aficionado spent two nights on patrol at Valley Road, providing safe passage for 10 spotted salamanders (+1 dead), 1 four-toed salamander, 22 wood frogs (+10 dead), and 77 spring peepers (+16 dead).
Total: 110 live + 27 dead

Swanzey

The tiniest, sweetest, cutest, dearest, most adorable gray tree frog in the whole entire world (objectively speaking, of course…)
(photo © Nate Marchessault)

Matthews Road. One longtime Brigadier scouted Matthews Road on two nights with marginal migration conditions, crossing 2 wood frogs (+2 dead) and counting 1 unidentified dead amphibian. These numbers do not reflect the fullness of amphibian activity at this site, which is often quite busy with both cars and critters. This site needs more help in 2026, though it is not kid-friendly.
Total: 2 live + 3 dead

Swanzey Lake Road. Over the course of three evenings, three dedicated Brigadiers provided safe passage for 45 spotted salamanders (+7 dead), 16 four-toed salamanders (+1 dead), 4 two-lined salamanders, 1 red-backed salamander, 10 wood frogs (+5 dead), 29 spring peepers (+4 dead), 10 gray tree frogs, 7 green frogs (+5 dead), and 9 American toads (+1 dead). They also found 1 dead bullfrog and 3 unidentified roadkills. This site needs more help in 2026!
Total: 131 live + 27 dead

Walpole

Prospect Hill & Maple Grove Roads. One valiant volunteer crossed 4 spotted salamanders (+1 dead), 1 wood frog, 8 spring peepers (+10 dead), and 1 bullfrog in a single hour on one night at the junction of Prospect Hill and Maple Grove Roads.
Total: 14 live + 11 dead

Westmoreland

Big Night magic at River Road.
(photo © Liv Berger)

Glebe Road. The Glebe Road crew — 20 Brigadiers strong! — spent three nights on patrol, collectively crossing 92 spotted salamanders (+11 dead), 13 Eastern newts (+6 dead), 1 two-lined salamander, 4 wood frogs, 372 spring peepers (+115 dead), 10 pickerel frogs (+2 dead), 4 green frogs (+3 dead), 3 bullfrogs, and 18 American toads (+1 dead). This site could use more help in 2026!
Total: 517 live + 138 dead

River Road. Ten busy Brigadiers spent three nights on patrol at River Road, providing safe passage for 85 spotted salamanders (+6 dead), 15 Jefferson complex salamanders, 217 wood frogs (+10 dead), 28 spring peepers, 1 gray tree frog, and 5 American toads. They also found 3 unidentified roadkills.
Total: 351 live + 19 dead

Wilton

Whiting Hill Road. Over the course of seven nights, the dedicated Wilton crew — a whopping 46 Brigadiers strong! — crossed 42 spotted salamanders (+10 dead), 8 Eastern newts (+5 dead), 7 four-toed salamanders, 1 two-lined salamander, 3 red-backed salamanders, 27 wood frogs (+4 dead), 254 spring peepers (+62 dead), 10 pickerel frogs (+1 dead), 23 gray tree frogs (+5 dead), 26 green frogs (+4 dead), 4 bullfrogs, and 49 American toads (+2 dead). They also found 2 unidentified dead amphibians.
Total: 454 live + 95 dead

Winchester

Forest Lake Road. Over the course of ten nights at Forest Lake Road, twelve terrific volunteers provided safe passage for 12 spotted salamanders (+4 dead), 19 Eastern newts (+45 dead), 29 four-toed salamanders (+6 dead), 1 two-lined salamander, 3 red-backed salamanders (+3 dead), 95 wood frogs (+14 dead), 129 spring peepers (+24 dead), 2 pickerel frogs, 1 gray tree frog, 2 bullfrogs, and 9 American toads (+1 dead). They also recorded 4 unidentified dead amphibians.
Total: 302 live + 104 dead

Further Afield

Our friends at the Chocorua Lake Conservancy and Green Mountain Conservation Group coordinated a dozen volunteers, who provided safe passage for hundreds of amphibians, including 71 spotted salamanders, 298 red-backed salamanders, and an elusive spring salamander over the course of three nights in Tamworth.

Every once in a while, on the rainiest of nights, a spring salamander emerges from the stream where it spends nearly all of its life to venture across a road. This happens so infrequently that we don’t even include them in our amphibian ID sheets or training materials. Congrats to the Tamworth crew on finding one this spring! (photo © Debra Marnich)

We also received reports from folks in Auburn, Canterbury, Epping, Plainfield, Stratham, and Big Lake Township, ME, who collectively crossed hundreds of additional amphibians. Although we don’t include counts from outside of southwestern New Hampshire in our project totals, we remain grateful for these grassroots efforts. The salamanders do too!

A Touch of Grey (Tree Frogs, That Is…)

Saturday was one of those nights that test the limits of your rain gear, but our Brigadiers took it in stride. Soaking wet, but smiling — that’s the Salamander Brigade way! You can find more photos from this year’s Crossing Brigades on our Flickr feed. (photo © Brett Amy Thelen)

Finally, a real soaker with actual advance warning! Spotted salamanders, Jefferson salamanders, wood frogs, and many spring peepers made for the woods, their courtship complete for the year, while gray tree frogs hopped onto the scene in greater numbers — a sign of the subtle transition from the Big Nights of early spring to the quieter, mid-spring pulse.

Though salamander season is on the wane, our Brigadiers remained undaunted: 44 Crossing Brigade volunteers took to the streets on May 4, providing safe passage for 1,106 individual amphibians — including an impressive 305 gray tree frogs — at 10 crossing sites across the Monadnock Region. We also received a report from the Upper Valley. This brings our season total to a record 11,587 amphibian rescues in southwest New Hampshire alone. Wow!

Read on for site-by-site details, listed alphabetically by town:

Harrisville

Nelson Road. On her way home from another crossing, a solo Brigadier stopped to cross 7 American toads (+2 dead) in just five minutes at Child’s Bog.

Henniker

River Road. Five amphibian admirers spent two hours on patrol at River Road, crossing 7 spotted salamanders, 1 Jefferson salamander, 1 four-toed salamander, 4 red-backed salamanders, 6 wood frogs, 14 spring peepers, 10 gray tree frogs, 2 green frogs, and 9 American toads, and recording 1 dead newt and 4 unknown dead, for a total of 54 live amphibians (+5 dead). Nice diversity at this site!

Keene

A touch of grey, kinda suits you anyway…
(photo © Brett Amy Thelen)

East Surry Road. A dedicated mother-daughter duo provided safe passage for 21 spring peepers, 19 gray tree frogs, 2 green frogs, 2 bullfrogs, 8 American toads, and 3 live unidentified amphibians, 59 live amphibians in all. Sadly, they also found a road-killed snapping turtle hatchling.

Jordan Road. The Harris Center once again partnered with the City of Keene to close Jordan Road to through-traffic for the protection of migrating amphibians, so only 6 cars passed through between 8 and 11 p.m. During that time, four soaking-wet-but-smiling Crossing Brigadiers provided safe passage for 5 spotted salamanders, 7 Jefferson salamanders, 1 red-backed salamander, 31 wood frogs (+1 dead), 78 spring peepers (+10 dead), 71 gray tree frogs, 1 green frog, and 5 American toads, and recorded 1 dead newt, for a total of 199 live amphibians (+12 dead). Toward the end of the evening, two volunteers were walking together when they saw a gray tree frog who had almost finished crossing the road. Just as they began to head toward toward it, a Barred Owl swooped down with silent precision, plucked the frog off the road, and carried it off into the woods. That frog was not included in their counts!

North Lincoln Street. Big Night detours were also in place at North Lincoln Street, where the enthusiastic crossing crew — 21 Brigadiers strong! — counted 12 spotted salamanders, 8 wood frogs, 82 spring peepers, an astounding 183 gray tree frogs (+2 dead), 2 green frogs, 5 bullfrogs (+1 dead), 4 American toads, 2 dead newts, and 2 unidentified live amphibians (+3 dead), for a total of 298 live amphibians (+8 dead) between 8 and 11:30 p.m. A Barred Owl supervised all the action from its perch on the Speed Hump sign, as seen in this video clip by intern Chloe March. In their review of the evening, one Brigadier said, “Great frogs. A+”

Nelson

Nelson Road. Three bustling Brigadiers patrolled Nelson Road from 8:30 to 10 p.m., crossing 22 spotted salamanders (+1 dead), 3 Eastern newts (+6 dead), 4 red-backed salamanders, 5 wood frogs, 264 spring peepers (+43 dead), 6 green frogs, and 25 American toads (+2 dead), 329 live amphibians (+52 dead) in all. Many pairs of peepers were crossing the road in an amorous embrace, also known as amplexus.

Peterborough

Summer Street. A truly terrific trio surveyed Summer Street from 7:45 to 10:15 p.m., providing safe passage for 9 spotted salamanders, 1 Eastern newt (+2 dead), 4 wood frogs (+2 dead), 8 spring peepers (+2 dead), 1 pickerel frog, 1 gray tree frog, 2 green frogs, 6 bullfrogs, and 9 American toads, for a total of 41 live amphibians (+7 dead).

Swanzey

Toads never underestimate their own importance.
(photo © Nate Marchessault)

Swanzey Lake Road. A solo salamander superhero crossed 31 spotted salamanders (+6 dead), 8 spring peepers, 10 gray tree frogs, 4 green frogs, and 6 American toads, and noted 1 dead wood frog, for a total of 59 live amphibians (+7 dead) in just one hour.

Wilton

Whiting Hill Road. Between 8:10 and 9:52 p.m., a dynamic duo provided safe passage for 5 spotted salamanders, 1 four-toed salamander, 2 wood frogs (+1 dead), 7 spring peepers, 3 pickerel frogs, 11 gray tree frogs (+1 dead), 9 green frogs, and 9 American toads, 47 live amphibians (+2 dead) in all.

Winchester

Forest Lake Road. Three stellar salamander shepherds spent one hour on patrol, crossing 5 Eastern newts (+18 dead), 1 wood frog, 5 spring peepers (+2 dead), and 2 American toads, and noting 2 unidentified dead, for a total of 13 live amphibians (+22 dead).

Further Afield

Thank you to our friends in Plainfield for the frog report from Penniman Road!

Don’t See Your Site?

If you don’t see your site listed here, we may not have received your data. We’ll update this report and the Salamander Crossing Brigade album on Flickr as we receive counts and photos, so if you have amphibian tallies or photos to share from May 4, please submit them here.

A Trickle of Migration on Wet Roads…

Afternoon thunderstorms swept through the region on May 3, leaving wet roads in their wake. Even though the rain had passed, 10 vigilant Crossing Brigadiers decided to check things out, crossing 121 live amphibians at 6 crossing sites — and inching us ever closer to a new season record for amphibian rescues. Sadly, they also documented 70 roadkills. Here are the details, listed alphabetically by town and road:

Dublin

Valley Road. Two newt lovers covered the pre-sunset shift, crossing 15 red efts (+7 dead) and 1 spring peeper, for a total of 16 live amphibians (+7 dead) in one hour.

The opposite of camouflage!  (photo © Katherine Stewart)

Keene

Eastern Avenue. Between 8:30 and 9:50 p.m., a dedicated solo Brigadier provided safe passage for 4 wood frogs (+2 dead), 3 spring peepers (+1 dead), and 5 gray tree frogs, and recorded 2 unidentified roadkills, 12 live frogs (+5 dead) in all.

North Lincoln Street. A dynamic duo spent just under an hour on patrol at North Lincoln Street, crossing 1 wood frog, 30 spring peepers (+1 dead), and 12 gray tree frogs (+1 dead), and recording 4 dead newts, 43 live amphibians (+6 dead) in all.

Nelson

A peeper in hand is worth how many in the emergent wetland…?  (photo © Elizabeth Irvine)

Nelson Road. One dedicated peeper protector provided safe passage for 34 spring peepers (+42 dead), 1 green frog, and 3 American toads (+2 dead), for a total of 37 individual frogs (+45 dead) in just 30 minutes.

Peterborough

Summer Street. In just over an hour on patrol, a terrific twosome crossed 3 wood frogs, 4 spring peepers, 1 gray tree frog, 1 green frog (+2 dead), 1 bullfrog (+1 dead), and 2 American toads, 12 live frogs (+3 dead) in all. Sadly, they also found 3 road-killed painted turtle hatchlings.

Winchester

Forest Lake Road. It was a quiet night on Forest Lake Road, where two frog fans crossed 1 American toad, and found 3 dead newts and 1 dead peeper, in 45 minutes of searching.

Don’t See Your Site?

If you don’t see your site listed here, we may not have received your data. We’ll update this report and the Salamander Crossing Brigade album on Flickr as we receive counts and photos, so if you have amphibian tallies or photos to share from May 3, please submit them here.

In Which We Cross Our 10,000th Amphibian of the Year

The most adorable frog in the whole wide world.
(photo © Nate Marchessault)

Another night, another surprise rainstorm! On May 2, heavy rain once again arrived with very little warning, and gray tree frogs, toads, peepers, and other amphibians responded in kind. As with the surprise rain on April 24, our counts would have been far higher if we’d had more advance notice of the incoming storm. Still, we achieved a milestone on Friday — reaching the 10,000-rescue mark for the season, a feat we’ve only accomplished once before. Like all aspects of Big Night, some of this is due simply to the weather (in years when most of the rain occurs after midnight, our numbers are lower because there are fewer of us awake to keep count), but it’s also a testament to the incredible dedication of our volunteers.

On May 2, 16 Crossing Brigadiers provided safe passage for 713 individual amphibians — and, sadly, documented 123 roadkills — at 4 crossing sites, bringing our season total to a remarkable 10,360 amphibian rescues, with more to come before all is said and done. Here are the details, listed alphabetically by town and site:

Keene

This is a look we like to call Salamander Chic: fetching and highly visible! (photo © Katherine Stewart)

East Surry Road. Two amphibian admirers spent two hours patrolling East Surry Road, crossing 2 Eastern newts, 19 spring peepers, 5 pickerel frogs, 3 gray tree frogs, 3 American toads, and 19 unidentifed amphibians, 51 live amphibians in all.

Jordan Road. One valiant volunteer spent an hour and a half on solo patrol at Jordan Road, where she provided safe passage for 1 sluggish spotted salamander, 1 Eastern newt, 15 wood frogs, 13 spring peepers (+4 dead), 9 gray tree frogs, and 3 American toads, for a total of 42 live amphibians (+4 dead).

North Lincoln Street. At North Lincoln Street, four frog fans crossed 3 spotted salamanders, 1 Eastern newt, 17 wood frogs (+1 dead), 197 spring peepers (+23 dead), 60 gray tree frogs (+8 dead), and 2 American toads, for a total of 280 live amphibians (+32 dead) in just over two hours. During that time, 11 cars passed through the site. In other words, on average, each car inadvertently hit 3 frogs — a sobering reminder that the very best thing you can do for amphibians is to not drive on roads near water on rainy spring and summer nights!

Nelson

We all start out small.
(photo © Lisa Ramey)

Nelson Road. From 9 to 10:30 p.m., a trio of toad protectors crossed 12 spotted salamanders, 2 red-backed salamanders, 3 wood frogs, 284 spring peepers (+82 dead), 1 gray tree frog, 7 green frogs, 1 bullfrog, and 30 American toads (+5 dead), 340 live amphibians (+87 dead) in all.

Don’t See Your Site?

If you don’t see your site listed here, we may not have received your data. We’ll update this report and the Salamander Crossing Brigade album on Flickr as we receive counts and photos, so if you have amphibian tallies or photos to share from May 2, please submit them here.

Comings & Goings…

It could be argued that gray tree frogs are the most adorable of all the frogs. You can find more photos from this year’s Crossing Brigades on our Flickr feed.
(photo © Brett Amy Thelen)

It rained all day on April 26, ending a few hours before sunset in most parts of the Monadnock Region. After dark, amphibians were afoot on still-wet roads, but in smaller numbers than if it had been actively raining. Although American toads, gray tree frogs, and some spring peepers were still migrating toward their breeding wetlands, most spotted salamanders were heading back to the woods, their courtship complete — a sign that we’re nearing the end of migration season.

As always, our Crossing Brigades were there to lend a helping hand, with 69 Crossing Brigadiers providing safe passage for 957 individual amphibians — and documenting 233 roadkills — at 13 crossing sites throughout the Monadnock Region. We also received a report from an impressive effort in Tamworth, led by our friends at the Chocorua Lake Conservancy and Green Mountain Conservation Group. This brings our season total to a jaw-dropping 9,647 amphibian rescues in southwest New Hampshire alone! Can we make it to 10,000 before all is said and done?

Read on for site-by-site details, listed alphabetically by town:

Henniker

It was all smiles at River Road on April 26!
(photo © Heidi Colburn)

River Road. The robust River Road crew — 15 Brigadiers strong! — spent more than three hours on patrol, crossing 3 spotted salamanders, 3 Jefferson complex salamanders, 5 Eastern newts (+1 dead), 13 wood frogs, 14 spring peepers (+1 dead), 7 gray tree frogs, 1 green frog, and 10 American toads (+1 dead), 60 live amphibians (+3 dead) in all. The kids on that crew would also like to note, for the record, that they crossed 4 worms (+1 dead) and 1 spider, and found 1 dead slug.

Hillsboro

Concord End & Flint Roads. One amphibian admirer crossed 1 spotted salamander, 1 Eastern newt, 1 wood frog, and 1 American toad, and recorded 1 dead pickerel frog, for a total of 4 live amphibians (+1 dead) in 30 minutes of searching.

Keene

East Surry Road. A terrific twosome spent just over an hour on patrol, providing safe passage for 5 Eastern newts (+4 dead), 1 wood frog, 3 spring peepers, and 1 gray tree frog, 10 live amphibians (+4 dead) in all.

Eastern Avenue. A solo frog fan crossed 1 spring peeper (+4 dead) and 1 bullfrog (+2 dead), and found 1 dead wood frog, for a total of 2 live frogs (+7 dead) in just over an hour.

Jordan Road. One salamander superhero spent an hour on patrol at Jordan Road, where he crossed 8 spring peepers (+2 dead) and 1 American toad, 9 live amphibians (+2 dead) in all. A Barred Owl and Hermit Thrush were there to keep him company.

North Lincoln Street. Between 8 and 10:30 p.m., the dedicated North Lincoln Street crew — 14 Brigadiers strong! — provided safe passage for 10 Eastern newts (+5 dead), 3 wood frogs, 136 spring peepers (+8 dead), and 1 gray tree frog (+1 dead), for a total of 150 live amphibians (+14 dead). Many thanks, once again, to all the drivers who turned around rather than driving through the crossing when they saw our signs and cones!

Spotted salamanders were homeward-bound on Saturday, their courtship complete — and we were there to help them on their way. (photo © Brett Amy Thelen)

Nelson

Nelson Road. Four busy Brigadiers crossed 10 spotted salamanders, 5 Eastern newts, 1 red-backed salamander, a whopping 346 spring peepers (+86 dead), 2 green frogs, and 1 American toad (+1 dead), for a total of 365 live amphibians (+87 dead) in just under two hours on the road.

New Ipswich

Sharon Road. A solo salamander shepherd investigated this new-to-us site, where she crossed 6 spotted salamanders (+3 dead), 6 wood frogs (+4 dead), and 5 spring peepers (+2 dead), for a total of 17 live amphibians (+9 dead) in just 30 minutes.

Thayer Road. A salamander-loving couple spent an hour and a half on patrol at this close-to-home crossing, providing safe passage for 17 spotted salamanders, 2 red-backed salamanders, 11 wood frogs, 2 spring peepers, 1 pickerel frog, 2 green frogs, and 10 American toads, and recording 5 unidentified roadkills, 45 live amphibians (+5 dead) in all. They have been crossing critters at this site for many years, and have never found this many spotted salamanders in a single night before!

Peterborough

As stream dwellers, two-lined salamanders don’t typically occur in big numbers on Big Nights — but they like a rainy stroll now and again. This one was found at Forest Lake Road in Winchester on April 26.
(photo © Dana Kedziora)

Summer Street. The salamander shepherds of Summer Street — 8 Brigadiers in all! — were on duty from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Collectively, they crossed 17 spotted salamanders (+1 dead), 1 Eastern newt (+3 dead), 6 wood frogs (+3 dead), 26 spring peepers (+12 dead), 2 gray tree frogs, 7 green frogs (+3 dead), 1 bullfrog (+2 dead), and 23 American toads (+9 dead) and noted 1 dead pickerel frog, for a total of 83 live amphibians (+34 dead). Sadly, they also found two road-killed painted turtle hatchlings.

Westmoreland

Glebe Road. Six peeper protectors spent nearly two hours on patrol at Glebe Road, where they crossed 2 Eastern newts (+1 dead), 68 spring peepers (+27 dead), and 1 American toad (+1 dead), and recorded 1 dead pickerel frog, 71 live amphibians (+30 dead) in all. Sadly, they also found a roadkilled painted turtle hatchling.

Wilton

Whiting Hill Road. The Carnival Hill crew — 13 Brigadiers strong! — surveyed Whiting Hill Road for more than three hours, providing safe passage for 20 spotted salamanders (+6 dead), 2 Eastern newts (+2 dead), 1 red-backed salamander, 2 wood frogs, 54 spring peepers (+10 dead), 4 pickerel frogs, 10 gray tree frogs (+3 dead), 5 green frogs (+1 dead), 2 bullfrogs, and 21 American toads (+1 dead) and recording 1 unidentified roadkill, for a total of 121 live amphibians (+24 dead).

Winchester

Forest Lake Road. In one hour, a dynamic duo crossed 5 Eastern newts (+10 dead), 1 two-lined salamander, 8 spring peepers, 1 pickerel frog, 1 gray tree frog, and 4 American toads (+1 dead) and found 2 unidentified dead salamanders, 20 live amphibians (+13 dead) in all. While on patrol, they were serenaded by a Barred Owl and a Whip-poor-will.

Every once in a while, on the rainiest of nights, a spring salamander emerges from the stream where it spends nearly all of its life to venture across a road. This happens so infrequently that we don’t even include them in our amphibian ID sheets or training materials. As it turns out, April 26 was one of those nights in Tamworth. (photo © Debra Marnich)

Further Afield

Our friends at the Chocorua Lake Conservancy and Green Mountain Conservation Group led a dozen Brigadiers in an impressive crossing effort in Tamworth, where they crossed hundreds of amphibians, including 51 spotties, 295 red-backeds (!!), 62 peepers, and an elusive spring salamander.

Don’t See Your Site?

If you don’t see your site listed here, we may not have received your data. We’ll update this report and the Salamander Crossing Brigade album on Flickr as we receive counts and photos, so if you have amphibian tallies or photos to share from April 26, please submit them here.

A Tricky Night…

Wood frogs were heading back to the woods on the evening of April 24, their courtship over for the year — and a sign that we are nearing the end of migration season. (photo © Nina Duggan)

Rain was not in the forecast at all on April 24 — until, all of a sudden, it was. In fact, it arrived with so little warning that we didn’t even have time to change the salamander forecast from red to green, and with it came thunderstorms that sent some Brigadiers scurrying for shelter — which is to say that, despite the valiant efforts of some very attentive Crossing Brigade volunteers, our numbers from Thursday’s migration reflect but a fraction of the actual amphibian activity on that night. If there had been more warning or fewer lightning bolts, our counts would have been far higher.

So, three cheers for the 19 Crossing Brigade volunteers who dropped everything to tend to our amphibian friends on April 24, collectively crossing 791 individual amphibians — and, sadly, documenting 190 roadkills — at 6 crossing sites! This brings our season total to an impressive 8,690 amphibian rescues, with more to come.

Read on for site-by-site details, listed alphabetically by town:

Keene

East Surry Road. Three Nature Girls patrolled East Surry Road in two shifts separated by a thunderstorm, collectively providing safe passage for 1 spotted salamander (+2 dead), 1 red-backed salamander, 54 wood frogs (+2 dead), and 21 spring peepers, for a total of 77 live amphibians (+4 dead) in just over two hours.

Eastern Avenue. One valiant volunteer braved the traffic on Eastern Avenue for nearly an hour and a half, where he crossed 24 wood frogs (+15 dead), 6 spring peepers (+32 dead), and 1 gray tree frog (+5 dead) and recorded 3 unidentified roadkills, 31 live frogs (+55 dead) in all. This site needs more help on future migration nights, though it is not family-friendly.

A peeper contemplates the meaninglessness of weather forecasts on the night of April 24, 2025. (photo © Nate Marchessault)

Jordan Road. Three bold Brigadiers patrolled Jordan Avenue from last light until 9:30 p.m., when a thunderstorm sent them home. Together, they provided safe passage for 4 red-backed salamanders, 1 wood frog, 4 spring peepers (+2 dead), and 1 American toad, 10 live amphibians (+2 dead) in all.

North Lincoln Street. The indomitable North Lincoln Street crew — 9 Brigadiers strong! — crossed 2 Eastern newts, 19 wood frogs, 208 spring peepers (+21 dead), 2 gray tree frogs, and 2 American toads, for a total of 233 live amphibians (+21 dead) between 8 and 9:30 p.m. Lightning sent the humans of North Lincoln Street home after that, but the amphibians of North Lincoln Street didn’t pay it any mind — and neither did the Barred Owl who was scanning for its supper. Many thanks to the drivers who proceeded with caution upon seeing our signs and cones!

Nelson

If you’ve ever wondered what a bucket of amphibians looks like, now you know.
(photo © Kerry Rochford Hague)

Nelson Road. Over the course of two hours, a dedicated duo provided safe passage for a whopping 74 spotted salamanders (+10 dead), 3 Eastern newts (+1 dead), 5 red-backed salamanders, 5 wood frogs, 338 spring peepers (+96 dead), 1 pickerel frog (+1 dead), 4 green frogs, and 1 American toad, 431 live amphibians (+108 dead) in all.

Peterborough

Summer Street. A solo frog fan did a quick pass through Summer Street in a light sprinkle, crossing 4 spring peepers and 1 green frog, for a total of 5 live frogs in 15 minutes.

Don’t See Your Site?

If you don’t see your site listed here, we may not have received your data. We’ll update this report and the Salamander Crossing Brigade album on Flickr as we receive counts and photos, so if you have amphibian tallies or photos to share from April 24, please submit them here.

A Surprise Big Night

One of more than 300 spotted salamanders moved to safety by our Crossing Brigade volunteers on the surprise Big Night of April 19. You can find more photos from this year’s Crossing Brigades on our Flickr feed. (photo © Brett Amy Thelen)

On the afternoon of April 19, the forecast was all over the place: in a single hour, it went from no chance of rain to 100 percent chance of rain just before sunset, and then back to no rain again. One thing that was not in the forecast was rain after dark, but in the end that’s what we got, at least in some places — and where it was wet, the night was Big. Wood frogs journeyed back to the woods, toads and gray tree frogs hopped onto the scene, and the balmy temperatures inspired diversity: 14 amphibian species in all.

Ever vigilant, 75 Crossing Brigade volunteers sprang into action at a moment’s notice at 21 crossing sites across southwest New Hampshire, providing safe passage for 3,250 individual amphibians — including 1,991 spring peepers, 585 wood frogs, 322 spotted salamanders, and 109 American toads — and recording a sobering 657 roadkills. We also received reports from two additional sites in the Lakes Region and Upper Valley. This brings our season total to 7,903 amphibian rescues and counting!

Read on for site-by-site details, listed alphabetically by town:

Henniker

River Road. A skeleton crew of two scurried over to River Road at the first sign of rain and stayed for an hour, providing safe passage for 2 spotted salamanders, 3 Eastern newts, 2 four-toed salamanders (+1 dead), 9 wood frogs (+3 dead), 18 spring peepers (+6 dead), 2 gray tree frogs, and 3 American toads (+2 dead), 39 live amphibians (+12 dead) in all. This was the first record of four-toeds for this site!

Hillsboro

Spot(tie)light on Concord End Road.
(photo © Emily Wrubel)

Concord End & Flint Roads. A dynamic duo patrolled for an hour on wet roads with no rain, crossing 11 spotted salamanders (+3 dead), 1 Eastern newt (+1 dead), 2 red-backed salamanders, 1 pickerel frog, and 2 green frogs, and recording 2 unidentified dead, for a total of 17 live amphibians (+6 dead).

Jaffrey

Dublin Road. A solo salamander superhero covered two sections of Dublin Road by bicycle, crossing 1 spotted salamander (+1 dead), 1 Eastern newt, 4 red-backed salamanders, 3 wood frogs (+2 dead), 13 spring peepers, 1 bullfrog, and 2 American toads, for a total of 25 live amphibians (+3 dead) in half an hour. Many additional roadkills went uncounted.

Gilmore Pond Road. The same valiant volunteer then moved on to Gilmore Pond Road, where they crossed 7 spring peepers and 1 gray tree frog, and recorded 1 dead spottie, for a total of 8 live amphibians (+1 dead) in just 15 minutes.

Gilson Road. To complete their route, the bicycling Brigadier also spent 15 minutes on Gilson Road between Thorndike Pond Road and McCoy Road, providing safe passage for 3 spotted salamanders, 2 spring peepers, 1 pickerel frog, 1 green frog, 5 bullfrogs, and 1 American toad, 13 live amphibians in all.

Route 137. A fantastic family of frog fans spent almost two hours on patrol at a new-to-us site on Route 137 between Crestview Drive and the Hope Baptist Church, where they crossed 30 spotted salamanders (+1 dead), 3 Eastern newts, 1 red-backed salamander, 70 wood frogs (+ approx. 50 dead), approx. 150 spring peepers (+ approx. 100 dead), 4 pickerel frogs (+1 dead), 6 bullfrogs (+2 dead), and 37 American toads (+2 dead), for a total of approx. 301 live amphibians (+156 dead).

The wood frog paparazzi are never far. (photo © Nina Duggan)

Keene

Citizens’ Way. A family of longtime Brigadiers passed through this new-to-us site on their way to and from the North Lincoln Street crossing, stopping to cross 1 wood frog, 6 spring peepers (+4 dead), 1 green frog, and 1 bullfrog (+1 dead), 9 live amphibians (+5 dead) in all.

Court Street. A caring mother-daughter team stopped to investigate this new-to-us site just north of the junction with East Surry Road, where they crossed 2 live wood frogs (+ a dismaying 24 dead) in less than half an hour.

East Surry Road. The same dedicated duo stopped at East Surry Road on their way home from the North Lincoln Street crossing, providing safe passage for 1 spotted salamander and 6 wood frogs (+3 dead) and recording 1 dead spring peeper, 7 live amphibians (+4 dead) in all.

Eastern Avenue. Two frog protectors spent just over an hour on patrol at the busy Eastern Avenue crossing, where they provided safe passage for 42 wood frogs (+27 dead), 2 spring peepers (+4 dead), 2 gray tree frogs, 5 green frogs, and 1 American toad, for a total of 52 live frogs (+31 dead). This site could use more help on future migration nights, though it is not family-friendly.

Who could resist a smile like that? No one, that’s who. (photo © Nina Duggan)

Jordan Road. Between 8:40 and 11 p.m., the dedicated Jordan Road crew — 7 Brigadiers strong! — provided safe passage for 44 spotted salamanders (+3 dead), 4 Jefferson complex salamanders, 3 Eastern newts, 17 red-backed salamanders, 55 wood frogs (+6 dead), 70 spring peepers (+9 dead), 1 pickerel frog, 2 gray tree frogs, and 3 American toads, 199 live amphibians (+18 dead) in all.

The migration on April 19 was a bit of a surprise. The salamander joy was not.
(photo © Heidi Colburn)

North Lincoln Street. Saturday’s rain arrived with too little warning to put Big Night detours in place, so it’s especially wonderful that 20 dedicated volunteers showed up to escort our beloved amphibians to safety at North Lincoln Street. Between 8:15 p.m. and midnight, the North Lincoln Street crew crossed 22 spotted salamanders (+4 dead), 5 Eastern newts (+1 dead), 3 red-backed salamanders, 224 wood frogs (+11 dead), 772 spring peepers (+63 dead), 2 gray tree frogs, 1 green frog, 2 bullfrogs, and 9 American toads, for a total of 1,040 live amphibians (+79 dead). It should be noted that this is an underestimate of amphibian activity at this site, as there were so many frogs — and not enough people to count them — in the first part of the evening. Nearly all of the wood frogs were leaving the wetland, nearly all of the spotties and toads were heading into the wetland, and the peepers were moving in both directions. Special thanks to the drivers who turned around rather than driving through the crossing when they saw our signs and cones, and to the Keene police officer who enthusiastically held his first spottie after stopping to check out what the heck we were all doing!

Route 10. One brave Brigadier spent 40 minutes patrolling this busy site on the Keene-Gilsum border, where they crossed 4 spotted salamanders (+2 dead), 3 wood frogs, 39 spring peepers, 2 pickerel frogs, 4 green frogs, and 1 American toad, 53 live amphibians in all. They did not count the “many, many dead amphibians” in the midst of all the fast-moving cars. This continues to be a very tough site for frogs and the people who care about them.

Mont Vernon

Toads always look grumpy, even when you’re doing them a solid. It’s one of their most endearing qualities. (photo © Elizabeth Irvine)

Beech Hill Road. A terrific twosome spent an hour on patrol at Beech Hill Road, crossing 1 spotted salamander (+1 dead), 1 Eastern newt, 17 spring peepers (+6 dead), 1 pickerel frog (+1 dead), 1 green frog, and 2 American toads, and counting 2 dead wood frogs, for a total of 23 live amphibians (+10 dead).

Nelson

Nelson Road. Nelson Road was hopping (literally!) as 6 busy Brigadiers hustled to move hundreds of amphibians to safety. Between 9 p.m. and 12:40 a.m., the Nelson Road crew provided safe passage for 61 spotted salamanders (+18 dead), 18 Eastern newts (+3 dead), 27 red-backed salamanders, 7 wood frogs (+8 dead), 509 spring peepers (+121 dead), 4 green frogs, 2 bullfrogs, and 3 American toads (+3 dead), and recorded 1 roadkilled spring salamander, for a total of 631 live amphibians (+154 dead). The last Brigadier of the night stopped to cross spotties and toads on her way home from another site around 12:30, but was too tired to count the hundreds of peepers — both live and dead — that were still on the road. This site could use more help on future migration nights.

Newport

Oak Street. Two longtime Brigadiers performed their annual springtime ritual at Oak Street, crossing 1 spotted salamander (+4 dead), 7 Eastern newts, 3 red-backed salamanders, 14 spring peepers (+18 dead), and 1 American toad, and recording 3 unidentified roadkill, for a total of 26 live amphibians (+25 dead) in 45 minutes of searching. They reported that, after helping some amphibians on their way, “it finally felt like spring.”

Peterborough

A peeper on patrol. (photo © Brett Amy Thelen)

Summer Street. Three amphibian aficionados spent nearly two hours on patrol at Summer Street, where they crossed 9 spotted salamanders, 1 red-backed salamander, 40 wood frogs (+17 dead), 13 spring peepers (+6 dead), and 3 American toads, 66 live amphibians (+23 dead) in all. They also reported that many additional wood frogs and peepers made their way across the road all on their own.

Swanzey

Swanzey Lake Road. Two dedicated Brigadiers, working separately, provided safe passage for 10 spotted salamanders (+1 dead), 6 four-toed salamanders, 4 two-lined salamanders, 10 wood frogs (+3 dead), 19 spring peepers (+3 dead), 3 green frogs (+5 dead), and 3 American toads (+1 dead), and noted 1 dead bullfog and 2 unidentified dead salamanders, for a total of 55 live amphibians (+16 dead) in one hour of searching. They also found 1 milk snake and crossed 3 lucky worms.

Westmoreland

River Road in Westmoreland was so busy on Saturday that the spotties had to be moved two at a time!
(photo © Emily Allen)

Glebe Road. The Glebe Road crew — 12 Brigadiers strong! — spent two hours on patrol, collectively crossing 44 spotted salamanders (+6 dead), 6 Eastern newts (+1 dead), 242 spring peepers (+39 dead), 10 pickerel frogs (+1 dead), 4 green frogs (+3 dead), 3 bullfrogs, and 17 American toads, for a grand total of 326 live amphibians (+50 dead).

River Road. A family of amphibian admirers provided safe passage for a whopping 68 spotted salamanders (+4 dead), 15 Jefferson complex salamanders, 98 wood frogs (+2 dead), 1 spring peepers, 1 gray tree frog, and 5 American toads, for a total of 188 live amphibians (+6 dead) in just one hour.

Wilton

Whiting Hill Road. A trio of toad protectors spent an impressive three hours on patrol at Carnival Hill, where they crossed 10 spotted salamanders (+3 dead), 3 Eastern newts, 6 four-toed salamanders, 1 two-lined salamander, 1 red-backed salamander, 15 wood frogs (+3 dead), 97 spring peepers (+19 dead), 3 pickerel frogs (+1 dead), 2 gray tree frogs (+1 dead), 12 green frogs (+3 dead), 2 bullfrogs, and 18 American toads (+1 dead). They also found 1 unidentified dead amphibian. All told, they provided safe passage for 170 live amphibians (+32 dead) of 12 different species. Amazing diversity at this site!

Further Afield

Many thanks to our friends in Plainfield and Tamworth for crossing dozens of additional critters outside the Monadnock Region!

Don’t See Your Site?

If you don’t see your site listed here, we may not have received your data. We’ll update this report and the Salamander Crossing Brigade album on Flickr as we receive counts and photos, so if you have amphibian tallies or photos to share from April 19, please submit them here.

A Peppering of Peepers

I think we can all agree that spring peepers are the cutest. You can find more photos from this year’s Crossing Brigades on our Flickr feed. (photo © Brett Amy Thelen)

A brief burst of heavy rain moved through between 5 and 6 p.m. on April 15, leaving wet roads in its wake. Although conditions weren’t optimal for migration, it seemed possible that amphibians could be afoot, at least until the ground dried. As it turned out, the sun came out just in time for golden hour, drying roads more quickly than expected. Even so, 27 Crossing Brigade volunteers took to the streets at 6 crossing sites on Tuesday night, providing safe passage for 129 individual amphibians and, sadly, recording 36 roadkills. This brings our season total to 4,653 amphibian rescues and counting!

Read on for site-by-site details, listed alphabetically by town:

Keene

North Lincoln Street. Between 8 and 9:30 p.m., eight frog fans (including one first-time Brigadier!) crossed 3 Eastern newts (+1 dead) and 84 spring peepers (+11 dead) and found 1 dead wood frog, 87 live amphibians (+13 dead) in all. Wood frogs and peepers were singing with gusto in the wetland, and a Barred Owl perched on a roadside pine just before last light.

Nelson

Nelson Road. One dedicated Brigadier spent just over an hour on patrol at Nelson Road, where she crossed 9 wood frogs (+2 dead) and 8 peepers (+13 dead) and found 1 dead newt, for a total of 17 live amphibians (+16 dead). She reported that the wood frogs were quite chatty.

Golden-hour light glows above the wetland at the Nelson Road crossing site on the evening of April 15. (photo © Brett Amy Thelen)

Peterborough

Summer Street. Four amphibian admirers spent an hour on patrol at Summer Street, providing safe passage for 1 lucky Eastern newt, 2 wood frogs (+3 dead), and 16 spring peepers (+2 dead), 19 live amphibians (+5 dead) in all.

Swanzey

Although red efts are mostly diurnal (day-active), they do come out at night from time to time. This lucky eft was the only salamander to be found at Summer Street in Peterborough on the evening of April 15. (photo © Sara Luczkiewicz)

Matthews Road. One longtime Brigadier reported a “Big Nothing Night” at Matthews Road, where he found just 1 dead wood frog in an hour of searching.

Wilton

Whiting Hill Road. The Whiting Hill Road crew — 1o Brigadiers strong! — walked their crossing for nearly two hours, enjoying the peeper serenade under starry skies. They provided safe passage for 2 spring peepers and recorded 1 roadkilled newt.

Winchester

Forest Lake Road. Between 7:30 and 9 p.m., a terrific trio crossed 1 Eastern newt, 2 wood frogs, and 1 peeper, 4 live amphibians in all. They were accompanied by no fewer than 3 Barred Owls, caterwauling in the woods.

Don’t See Your Site?

If you don’t see your site listed here, we may not have received your data. We’ll update this report and the Salamander Crossing Brigade album on Flickr as we receive counts and photos, so if you have amphibian tallies or photos to share from April 15, please submit them here.

The Migration Continues (Sort Of…)

Amplexus (n.): the mating position of frogs and toads, in which the male clasps the female about the back. Usually, they wait until they’re in the vernal pool to do this sort of thing — but not on Forest Lake Road, apparently. Get a pond, you two!
(photo © Brett Amy Thelen)

April 5 was notable not so much for amphibian activity, but for the enthusiasm of our community scientists, who bundled up and headed out in temperatures that were just barely frog-friendly. The 39-degree drizzle and sparse salamander action made for an early night, but 31 Crossing Brigadiers nonetheless provided safe passage for 88 live amphibians — and recorded 28 roadkills — at 5 crossing sites on Saturday. This brings our season total to 4,521 amphibian rescues (…and counting!)

Read on for site-by-site details, listed alphabetically by town:

Keene

North Lincoln Street. Between 7:45 and 9:15 p.m., seven frog fans (including several first-time Crossing Brigadiers!) moved 2 wood frogs and 14 spring peepers to safety and recorded 5 roadkilled peepers — 16 live frogs (+5 dead) in all.

Peterborough

A short lesson in salamander superpowers: When confronted by a potential predator, a four-toed salamander can shed its tail, which will continue to wriggle long after it has detached from the salamander’s body — distracting the predator while the salamander makes a hasty escape. Eventually, the salamander will regenerate a whole new tail. This four-toed must have a daring story to tell!
(photo © Stephanie Bowser)

Summer Street. The Summer Street crew — 20 hearty Brigadiers strong! — crossed 12 wood frogs (+3 dead) and 9 spring peepers (+5 dead), for a total of 21 live frogs (+8 dead) in just over two hours.

Swanzey

Matthews Road. One valiant volunteer patrolled Matthews Road for nearly an hour, crossing 2 wood frogs (+1 dead) and noting 1 unidentifiable roadkill, 2 live amphibians (+2 dead) in all. He noted that there was “much song in the pond.”

Wilton

Whiting Hill Road. Between 7:45 and 9:05 p.m., a terrific twosome crossed 8 live spring peepers (+5 dead) at Carnival Hill.

Winchester

Forest Lake Road. A solo salamander superhero provided safe passage for 4 four-toed salamanders (+2 dead), 29 wood frogs (+4 dead), and 8 spring peepers, and sadly found 2 dead spotted salamanders, for a total of 41 live amphibians (+8 dead) in two hours at Forest Lake Road. He reported that one of the four-toed salamanders was missing its tail but moving well, and three pairs of wood frogs were amplexing right there in the road. How bold!

Don’t See Your Site?

If you don’t see your site listed here, we may not have received your data. We’ll update this report and the Salamander Crossing Brigade album on Flickr as we receive counts and photos, so if you have amphibian tallies or photos to share from April 5, please submit them here.

A Small, But Not Insignificant Night

Ain’t no party like a peeper party ’cause a peeper party don’t stop! (photo © Chase Ferry)

Rain ended so early in the day on April 3 that we didn’t even alert the Crossing Brigades about the possibility of a migration, but high humidity kept some roads damp after dark; that, plus evening temperatures in the mid-50s spurred amphibians to action in at least a few places. Big thanks to the folks who went to check things out, even without the usual nudge from us!

On this small but mighty evening, 6 Crossing Brigade volunteers provided safe passage for a surprising 324 live amphibians — and recorded 58 roadkills — at 2 crossing sites, with no rain in sight. Here’s the breakdown:

Nelson

A recent note from a Crossing Brigade volunteer:
“This is my favorite time of year and being able to help out, even in any small way, keeps me hopeful for the future.”  (photo © Liv Berger)

Nelson Road. Between 8:30 and 11 p.m., four intrepid Brigadiers crossed 7 spotted salamanders (+1 dead), 5 Eastern newts (+1 dead), 1 red-backed salamander, 74 wood frogs (+14 dead), 225 spring peepers (+41 dead), and 1 pickerel frog, 313 live amphibians (+57 dead) in all. They also watched a Barred Owl pluck a peeper off the road and fly off with it!

Winchester

Forest Lake Road. A father-daughter team spent 45 minutes on patrol at Forest Lake Road, where they crossed 4 Eastern newts, 3 wood frogs (+1 dead), and 4 spring peepers, for a total of 11 live amphibians (+1 dead).

Don’t See Your Site?

If you don’t see your site listed here, we may not have received your data. We’ll update this report and the Salamander Crossing Brigade album on Flickr as we receive counts and photos, so if you have amphibian tallies or photos to share from April 3, please submit them here.

A Big Night Under Starry Skies

Big Night magic was in full force on Monday! You can find more photos from this year’s Crossing Brigades on Flickr. (photo © Liv Berger)

Rain did not arrive in earnest until nearly midnight on March 31, but balmy temperatures and wet roads were enough to spur amphibians to action in the early part of the evening. Spotted, four-toed, and red-backed salamanders made their season debuts, and the peeper party was a real rager! Though the biggest part of Big Night likely took place after midnight (when most Brigadiers weren’t awake to keep count), the early-evening action was impressive.

Like the peepers, our Salamander Crossing Brigades turned out in force: 216 Crossing Brigadiers took to the streets on Monday night, providing safe passage for 2,997 individual amphibians — including 1,920 spring peepers, 721 wood frogs, and 227 spotted salamanders — at 26 crossing sites in the greater Monadnock Region, bringing our season total to an incredible 4,109 amphibian rescues. We also received reports or photos from five additional sites in the Lakes Region, Seacoast, and Upper Valley.

Read on for site-by-site details, listed alphabetically by town:

Concord

Fisk Road. One dedicated night owl waited for the rain, patrolling Fisk Road from midnight to 2:30 a.m. (!) During that time, he crossed 9 spotted salamanders (+1 dead), 2 red-backed salamanders, 6 wood frogs (+2 dead), and 7 spring peepers, and recorded 3 unidentified dead amphibians, 24 live amphibians (+6 dead) in all. He also saw “one unidentified amphibian plucked from the roadside by a Barred Owl.” The owls know it’s Big Night, too…

Dublin

Page Road. A solo salamander shepherd spent one hour on patrol at Page Road, providing safe passage for 4 spotted salamanders, 1 spring peeper, and 1 wood frog (+9 dead), for a total of 6 live amphibians (+9 dead).

Hancock

Who could resist a face like that?
(photo © Chase Ferry)

Middle Road. One frog fan spent an hour and a half on patrol at Middle Road, crossing 1 spotted salamander, 3 Eastern newts (+6 dead), 14 wood frogs (+2 dead), and 13 spring peepers (+5 dead), 31 live amphibians (+13 dead) in all.

Route 137. In one hour near the fire station, a dynamic duo crossed 1 Eastern newt, 15 wood frogs (+5 dead), 20 spring peepers (+14 dead), 3 pickerel frogs (+1 dead), and 1 American toad, and found 1 dead spotted salamander and 5 unidentified dead amphibians — 40 live amphibians (+ 6 dead) in all.

Harrisville

Hancock Road. A terrific twosome spent two hours on patrol between the Lake Skatutakee boat launch and the bridge near Main Street, providing safe passage for 7 spotted salamanders, 7 wood frogs, 15 spring peepers, and 1 unidentified amphibian, for a total of 30 live amphibians.

Henniker

River Road. The River Road crew — 7 Brigadiers strong — spent nearly three hours on patrol, crossing 1 spotted salamander, 1 wood frog, and 11 spring peepers (+3 dead), for a total of 13 live amphibians (+3 dead). The kids in the group would like to note for the record that all the frogs were “cold as ice” and that slugs were out on the road, too.

Keene

Helping hands at River Road.
(photo © Liv Berger)

Eastern Avenue. The frogs of Eastern Avenue owe a debt of gratitude to three courageous Brigadiers, who braved the traffic to provide safe passage for 14 wood frogs (+14 dead) and 26 spring peepers (+23 dead), for a total of 40 live frogs (+ 37 dead) in two hours. This site could use more help on future migration nights, though it is not family-friendly.

Jordan Road. For the first time this season, the Harris Center worked with the City of Keene to close Jordan Road to through-traffic specifically for the protection of migrating amphibians, an exciting conservation measure years in the making. Over the course of four hours, the Jordan Road crossing crew — 19 Brigadiers strong! — provided safe passage for 6 spotted salamanders, 7 Jefferson complex salamanders, 1 two-lined salamander, 10 red-backed salamanders (+1 dead), 11 wood frogs, and 46 spring peepers, 82 live amphibians (+1 dead) in all. The birders in the bunch happily noted the additional presence of two Barred Owls, as well as flyovers by Killdeer, Canada Geese, and Wood Ducks.

North Lincoln Street. It was the second night of Big Night detours at North Lincoln Street in 2025, and humans and amphibians alike heeded the call! Between 7:30 and 11 p.m., nearly 60 volunteers and visitors came to the crossing, collectively counting 7 spotted salamanders, 8 Eastern newts (+5 dead, from before the road was closed), 2 red-backed salamanders, 104 wood frogs (+1 dead), and a jaw-dropping 1,044 spring peepers (+7 dead) — for a total of 1,165 live amphibians (+13 dead). Many more certainly migrated behind the safety of the barricades in the wee hours, after the rain arrived. In other nature notes, wood frogs and peepers were chorusing in the wetland, bats were winging overhead, and woodcocks were displaying and peenting in the cemetery until almost 11 p.m. Emma Katz — a veteran volunteer who brought four friends along for the night, dressed in their very best reflective vests — summed the evening up rather succinctly: “We had the best time!!”

Large or small, we cross ’em all! This tiny red-backed salamander was spotted by sharp-eyed Crossing Brigade volunteers just outside the barricades at North Lincoln Street on March 31. (photo © Brett Amy Thelen)

Marlborough

Route 124. Two amphibian admirers patrolled the stretch of Route 124 near Thatcher Hill for 40 minutes, providing safe passage for 4 wood frogs (+11 dead) and 1 spring peeper (+1 dead), 5 live frogs (+12 dead) in all.

Mont Vernon

Beech Hill Road. A solo Brigadier scouted this new-to-us site, where she crossed 5 live wood frogs (+1 dead) in just under an hour.

Nelson

Granite Lake Road. One salamander superhero did a late-night pass through the Granite Lake Road crossing, providing safe passage for 6 Eastern newts (+13 dead) and 19 spring peepers (+21 dead) and noting 1 dead wood frog, for a total of 25 live amphibians (+35 dead) between 2:08 and 2:32 a.m.

Our Crossing Brigades provided safe passage for more than 700 wood frogs — including this one — on March 31.
(photo © Chase Ferry)

Nelson Road. It was a bustling night on Nelson Road, as our regular crossing crew was joined by Harris Center teacher-naturalist Karen Rent and a group of enthusiastic Nelson School families in the early part of the evening, and a solo Brigadier stopped to cross some spotties on her way home from another crossing site around midnight! All told, 35 volunteers provided safe passage for 19 spotted salamanders (+2 dead), 9 Eastern newts (+5 dead), 64 wood frogs (+6 dead), and 82 spring peepers (+17 dead) on Nelson Road, for a total of 174 live amphibians (+30 dead) in just over three hours. It should be noted that hundreds of peepers and dozens of wood frogs went uncounted on the late-night pass; the frogs were raring to go, but even the most dedicated Crossing Brigadiers need to head home eventually…

New Boston

Middle Branch Road. A dedicated solo Brigadier patrolled Middle Branch Road from 10 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., crossing 6 spotted salamanders and 3 red-backed salamanders, 9 live salamanders in all.

Old Coach Road. Across town, another amphibian admirer crossed 5 spotted salamanders, 2 wood frogs, 1 spring peeper, and 1 American toad in dense fog at Old Coach Road, for a total of 9 live amphibians in one hour.

Weare Road. Three salamander seekers did a late-night run at Weare Road, crossing 5 spotted salamanders (+2 dead) and 12 spring peepers (+4 dead), for a total of 17 live amphibians (+6 dead) between midnight and 12:30 a.m.

New Ipswich

A Summer Street spottie with heart.
(photo © Sarah Thomas)

Thayer Road. Under starry skies and the waxing crescent moon, a dynamic duo provided safe passage for 1 spotted salamander, 1 red-backed salamander, 27 wood frogs (+8 dead), and 6 spring peepers, 35 live amphibians (+8 dead) in all. Their five-year-old “wanted us to wish everyone a safe crossing.” Although this particular migration was past his school-night bedtime, he hopes to check out some amphibians another night this spring.

Peterborough

Summer Street. A good time was had by all on Summer Street, where the regular crossing crew was joined by several carfuls of enthusiastic visiting artists from the MacDowell Colony. Together, 26 valiant volunteers provided safe passage for 18 spotted salamanders, 6 red-backed salamanders, 221 wood frogs (+21 dead), and 228 spring peepers (+32 dead), for a total of 474 live amphibians (+59 dead) in three hours. Longtime Site Coordinator Sarah Thomas reported, “[The artists] were all SO CUTE! Grown adults getting more excited about the amphibians than most of the kids I’ve seen. It was such a magical night!”

Rindge

Old Ashburnham Road. A lone salamander saver patrolled the section of Old Ashburnham Road near the junction with Ferin Road from 9:30 p.m. to midnight, crossing 37 spotted salamanders, 2 Jefferson complex salamanders, 34 wood frogs (+23 dead), and 56 spring peepers (+23 dead) and recording 7 additional unknown dead — 129 live amphibians (+42 dead) in all.

Sullivan

Further proof — as if you needed any — that salamanders make people smile. (photo © Carolyn Wiley)

Valley Road. Over the course of two different shifts between 1 and 3 a.m. (!), one late-night frog fan crossed 9 spotted salamanders, 1 four-toed salamander, 15 wood frogs (+8 dead), and 62 spring peepers (+16 dead), for a total of 87 live amphibians (+24 dead). He also found many earthworms.

Swanzey

Matthews Road. We did not receive any counts from Matthews Road for March 31, but a longtime volunteer reported that the salamanders and frogs of Matthews Road need more helpers. This site could use more help on future migration nights, but it is not family-friendly.

Swanzey Lake Road. A mother-daughter team spent an hour on patrol at Swanzey Lake Road, providing safe passage for 4 spotted salamanders, 10 four-toed salamanders (+1 dead), 1 red-backed salamander, and 2 spring peepers (+1 dead), and recording 1 dead wood frog and 1 dead unidentified amphibian, 17 live amphibians (+4 dead) in all.

Walpole

Prospect Hill & Maple Grove Roads. In one hour, one valiant volunteer crossed 4 spotted salamanders (+1 dead), 1 wood frog, 8 spring peepers (+10 dead), and 1 bullfrog, 14 live amphibians (+11 dead) in all.

Westmoreland

Glebe Road. Three separate groups spent time crossing critters at Glebe Road between 8:15 p.m. and 12:40 a.m. Collectively, these six amphibian admirers moved 48 spotted salamanders (+5 dead), 5 Eastern newts (+4 dead), 1 two-lined salamander, 4 wood frogs, and 62 spring peepers (+49 dead) to safety, for a total of 120 live amphibians (+58 dead). Many additional frogs — both live and dead — went uncounted. This site could use more help on future migration nights.

River Road. Over the span of two hours, the River Road crew — 10 Brigadiers strong! — provided safe passage for 17 spotted salamanders (+2 dead), 109 wood frogs (+4 dead), and 27 spring peepers, 153 live amphibians (+6 dead) in all.

Wilton

Bullfrog, size large.
(photo © Dana Kedziora)

Whiting Hill Road. A robust crew of 23 Brigadiers — including a scout troop and many first-time volunteers — spent two and a half hours on patrol at Carnival Hill, crossing 7 spotted salamanders (+1 dead), 2 Eastern newts, 1 red-backed salamander, 7 wood frogs, 68 spring peepers (+23 dead), and 1 American toad, for a total of  86 live amphibians (+24 dead).

Winchester

Forest Lake Road. The Winchester crew — 10 Brigadiers strong! — provided safe passage for 12 spotted salamanders (+2 dead), 4 Eastern newts (+14 dead), 25 four-toed salamanders (+7 dead), 3 red-backed salamanders (+3 dead), 55 wood frogs (+9 dead), 103 spring peepers (+21 dead), 1 pickerel frog, 2 bullfrogs, and 2 American toads, for a total of 207 live amphibians (+56 dead) in two and a half hours. While on patrol, they were serenaded by woodcocks and Barred Owls.

Further Afield…

Many thanks to the folks in Auburn, Canterbury, Epping, Plainfield, Stratham, and Big Lake Township, ME for investigating additional sites — and crossing dozens of critters — outside the Monadnock Region!

Don’t See Your Site?

If you don’t see your site listed here, we may not have received your data. We’ll update this report and the Salamander Crossing Brigade album on Flickr as we receive counts and photos, so if you have amphibian tallies or photos to share from March 31, please submit them here.

A Surprise Small Night

Even Small Nights are full of wonder…
(photo © Kara Reynolds)

Rain appeared with very little warning just after sunset on Saturday, sparking a short-lived burst of frog activity before temperatures dipped with the fast-moving storm front. With almost no advance notice, 19 Crossing Brigadiers sprang into action, providing safe passage for 114 live amphibians — and recording 24 roadkills — at 6 crossing sites. This brings our season total to 1,112 crossed critters, and there’s still much more migration to come!

Read on for site-by-site details, listed alphabetically by town:

Henniker

River Road. Four frog fans provided safe passage for 3 spring peepers (+ 5 dead) in an hour and a half on patrol at River Road in Henniker. They also crossed two spiders.

Keene

We’re pretty sure the only reason this Jefferson salamander braved the short-lived rain on March 22 was to celebrate the birthday of one of our Jordan Road Brigadiers. Happy Birthday, Brandon!
(photo © Nate Marchessault)

Jordan Road. High-elevation Jordan Road was too cold for much movement, but four intrepid Brigadiers patrolled for an hour and were rewarded for their efforts with 1 Jefferson complex salamander and, happily, no roadkill.

North Lincoln Street. Down the hill, seven amphibian admirers crossed 4 wood frogs and 36 spring peepers (+1 dead) in an hour and a half on patrol, 40 live amphibians (+1 dead) in all.

Peterborough

Summer Street. Three dedicated longtime Brigadiers provided safe passage for 26 wood frogs (+4 dead) and 34 spring peepers (+7 dead), for a total of 60 live amphibians (+11 dead) in just over an hour. This was the first big push of the season for the frogs of Summer Street, but it won’t be the last!

Westmoreland

River Road. In 45 minutes of searching, one valiant volunteer provided safe passage for 10 wood frogs (+4 dead). The best is yet to come for River Road…

Winchester

Forest Lake Road. A solo Brigadier searched for 30 minutes, but did not find a single frog. It seems that the amphibians of Forest Lake Road are still biding their time.

Our Crossing Brigades have already moved more than 425 wood frogs to safety this spring — and there’s still more migration to come. (photo © Nate Marchessault)

Do you have amphibian tallies or photos to share from March 22? We’ll update this report and the Salamander Crossing Brigade album on Flickr as we receive counts and photos, so send ’em on in!

A Big Night for Frogs in Keene!

Wood frogs stepped out in a big way on March 16. With temperatures hovering around 60 and a delightful mist in the air, who could blame them? (photo © Brett Amy Thelen)

March 16 was a bona fide Big Night at North Lincoln Street in Keene, where hundreds of frogs leapt toward spring in a 60-degree (!) mist. A handful of other Monadnock Region sites — still thawing out — saw much more modest movement.

Collectively, 32 Crossing Brigadiers provided safe passage for 951 individual amphibians — and recorded 40 roadkills — at 7 crossing sites on Sunday, including the season’s first wood frogs, spring peepers, and Jefferson complex salamanders. If you missed it, fear not. We’re just getting started!

Read on for site-by-site details, listed alphabetically by town:

Henniker

River Road. A solo Brigadier scouted out this mostly-still-frozen site, crossing 3 spring peepers.

Keene

In the Salamander Brigades, when we refer to our “four-legged friends,” we usually mean frogs and salamanders, but we used a broader definition at North Lincoln Street on Sunday night!
(photo © Brett Amy Thelen)

North Lincoln Street. This was our first Big Night detour of the season, and boy are we glad we closed the road! In just under four hours, 28 jubilant volunteers counted 15 Eastern newts (+16 dead, from before the road was closed for the night), 365 wood frogs (+1 dead), and 518 spring peepers (+2 dead), for a total of 899 live amphibians (+19 dead). This was one of those nights when the frogs were streaming out of the woods faster than we could count them — and that was early in the evening, when there was barely a sprinkle. The real rain started around midnight, so the dusk-to-dawn road closure may well have saved thousands of amphibian lives. As is typical for the first Big Night of the season, the wetlands were quiet, but it won’t be long now before frogsong rings out across the land…

Jordan Road. Higher in elevation, the ground near the Jordan Road crossing site was still holding onto its cold. Nonetheless, four intrepid Brigadiers found 4 Jefferson complex salamanders, 5 wood frogs (+10 dead), and 5 spring peepers (+6 dead), for a total of 14 cold-hearty amphibians (+16 dead) in just over an hour of searching. The Jefferson complex salamanders were especially exciting, as they’re a Species of Greatest Conservation Need in New Hampshire.

Nelson

Granite Lake Road. A dedicated night owl performed a 1 a.m. patrol (!) along Granite Lake Road, in heavy rain. Though that site was still mostly frozen, he did cross 1 Eastern newt.

One of the very first Jefferson complex salamanders of the year, making their way across Jordan Road on the balmy evening of March 16. (photo © Nate Marchessault)

Peterborough

Summer Street. A solo Brigadier scouted the Summer Street site, crossing 6 spring peepers and counting 2 dead wood frogs. The best is yet to come for Summer Street…

Sullivan

Valley Road. A brave Brigadier surveyed Valley Road in an after-midnight deluge, recording the season’s very first spotted salamander (+1 dead), along with 7 wood frogs (+2 dead) and 15 spring peepers, for a total of 23 live amphibians (+ 3 dead) in half an hour of searching.

Winchester

Forest Lake Road. During a short scouting mission, a lone Brigadier crossed 5 wood frogs. 

Do you have amphibian tallies or photos to share from March 16? We’ll update this report and the Salamander Crossing Brigade album on Flickr as we receive counts and photos, so send ’em on in!