Spring Peeper.
Photo by Jenny Erickson
After a dry start to the amphibian season, the week prior to our walk gave our area enough moisture and warmth to help jumpstart many of the amphibian populations. This was certainly true for the Dulles Greenway Wetlands. Armed with muck boots and headlamps, eight people braved the extremely muddy conditions to participate in our night amphibian walk on March 25. The participants were treated to quite the chorus of Spring Peepers and American Toads, almost deafening at times after sunset. They also got to learn about how to locate river otters and were serenaded by barred owls. Plans are in the works for additional night amphibian walks, which will be posted on the online event calendar.
The Dulles Greenway Wetlands is private property and is not open to the public except during Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy walks and citizen science projects where pre-registration is required.