3-25-17

Trip Details

Location: Linn County, Iowa

Weather: 42 degrees, misty rain

Time: 8:30 p.m.

Herpers: Laura and Jim Scharosch

Account by: Jim Scharosch

Photos by: Jim Scharosch

Its the first post of the year! Not a lot to report, but the first herp always gets a post no matter what. Went out to cruise up salamanders at a local site on a cool misty night. I wasn't too optimistic because it was barely misting rain and it was still pretty cool. We made a pass and didn't see any dead salamanders on the road which is normally a sign they aren't moving. There also weren't any frogs hopping about. On our second pass we found our first herp of the season though, an adult Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum) crossing the road.

We made a couple more passes without seeing any more and called it a night. Herp season is starting, can't wait for more rainy nights this spring!!