Free River Excursions: Amphibians
These events are full. Stay tuned for more!
Shannon here, one of your local AmeriCorps members and self-proclaimed herper here at SYRCL! In case you missed it, I wrote an article back in December about how much I love amphibians in the Yuba. If you found yourself fawning over those big bug eyes or getting excited about hearing frog choirs in your backyard, you’re in luck!
We are excited to offer two free hikes on February 26 and March 19 to learn more about some of our local amphibians. Both excursions will be led by me. Read on to find out more.
What’s the difference between a toad and a frog? Do newts do yoga? Why do frog legs taste like chicken? Why shouldn’t I try to lick a newt?
If you find yourself asking these questions, come join us on our amphibian river excursions this spring. We will explore some of our favorite places in our watershed and learn more about the creatures that call it home.
On February 26, we will hop on over to Hirschman’s Pond to look for frogs along the banks. We will look for egg masses and tadpoles, learn how to identify frog calls, and find out the best way to find them at night.
On March 19, we will mosey along Independence Trail towards the breeding pools that Sierra Newts migrate to every year. There we will learn about their breeding habits, how to identify them, and where they are most likely to be found.
Never been on a night hike? Here’s what you need to know:
These short hikes are great for families or those with limited mobility. However, since amphibians are most active at night, our walks will begin around sundown. Please bring a headlamp or high-powered flashlight for each person, as well as good walking shoes. The walks will not be cancelled for rain (those are actually optimum conditions for amphibian watching!).
We hope to see you at either hike, but we do have limited space. Sign up for the hikes at the link below.
