It is getting close to that time of year when our amphibian friends make their way across the roads, also known as the Big Night(s)! And humans from Acton and Littleton help them to cross the road without getting hit by cars.
The Acton Conservation Commission has plenty of information about the Amphibian Crossing Brigade, including the Amphibian Crossing Brigade Handbook for 2025. Please give it a good read if you have not seen it before, paying particular attention to the safety precautions. For more information about our amphibious neighbors, you can print out and assemble this Pocket Guide to Frogs and Amphibians. This is a great resource if you want to learn ahead of time.
The Amphibian Crossing Brigade is a joint project between Acton and Littleton conservation commissions. If you are interested in joining us this year, please send a note to both the Acton Conservation Commission at Conservation@actonma.gov and to tpearson@littletonma.org at the Littleton Conservation Commission.
For information about past and future Amphibian Brigades, see Littleton Conservation Vernal Pools. From that website, you can also download and fill out the consent forms so you will be all set on Amphibian night.
Ian Bergemann, Acton’s Community Conservation Specialist, says that there is a camaraderie in being out on a dark and rainy night.
“The night is full of excitement as you make your way down a rainy dark road and see other headlamps in the distance. You never know what shiny eyes are going to look up at you in the road! A salamander? A frog? Sometimes a spider! Every time you get closer to another headlamp there’s an enthusiastic smile under the bright light! Everyone exchanges what they have seen, what cool salamanders they found, or you simply get a thank you from a resident coming outside to see what the hubbub is all about. It really is a night of animals helping animals.”
And you never know what you might find. Ian noted that early in his career, he came across a…
“Jefferson Salamander (Ambystoma jeffersonianum) which is a species of Special Concern in Massachusetts. They have an almost galaxy-like color to their underside with spots of blue and purple. I come from coastal Connecticut, so I did not grow up seeing many salamanders and I did not realize how big they are! Really any animal you meet on that night feels magical – sometimes they are patiently waiting for you to pick them up and bring them to their home.”
Once you’re on the email list, be on the lookout for emails from the Conservation Commission on movement in the coming weeks – last year we were out there by Feb 28th!
If you have any questions please reach out to the Conservation@actonma.gov or call 978-929-6634.
As always, thank you for joining us on a cold(ish) rainy night so we can give our salamander and frog friends a fighting chance at survival!
Miriam Lezak is an associate editor at the Acton Exchange. Ian Bergemann is the town Community Conservation Specialist.