After dark tonight, a couple of my friends and I drove out to Labrador Hollow to witness the annual mole salamander migration. When the timing and conditions are right, mole salamanders migrate en masse from their underground burrows to ponds and vernal pools where they will reproduce.

This was the first year I’ve been out to witness such an occurrence and it was bittersweet. The mole salamander migration is the true sign of spring’s arrival, but it also signifies the impact we humans have on the natural cycles of nature. As we walked along the shoulders of NY-91, we saw many yellow-spotted salamanders that didn’t make it across.

We scouted with flashlights for other salamanders that were trekking across the road so that we could help them cross safely. Some conscious drivers traveled this route slowly, aware that their vehicles have an impact on the survival of many migrating salamanders. We know that we can’t save every one of these salamanders, but we, like others, did what we could to help improve their chances of survival crossing this major roadway on their journey.

Spotted Salamander by William Vann