Do you want an outdoor activity that you can do with your whole family? Why not explore a vernal pool!
Vernal pools can be found in the woods all over Massachusetts and are home to some pretty amazing amphibians and invertebrates. Vernal pools are shallow wetlands that generally dry up in the summer which makes them very poor fish habitat but an excellent place for amphibians to lay their eggs.
Check out the video presentation below by local naturalist Charley Eiseman to learn about the different animals that utilize vernal pools.
At this point, many of the yellow-spotted salamander and wood frog adults have left the pools, but you can still find egg masses and tadpoles. You also might hear spring peepers and american toads who have taken up the spring chorus where the wood frogs left off.
You can start learning frog and toad calls here.
Once you know what to look for, grab a pair of rubber boots and go! You might get hooked and want to learn how to protect vernal pools through certification.
