During Big Night season, amphibians embark on an epic journey to their spring breeding grounds. But these fragile animals - with their thin, delicate skin, small legs, and slow gait- face one especially immense obstacle: roads. Because they travel during rainy nights, these tiny creatures are nearly impossible to see. In some places, almost every single amphibian that tries to cross the road is crushed.
But you can help! Join Midcoast Conservancy as we help amphibians cross Egypt Road in Jefferson to reach their vital breeding grounds. We will see and learn about the different species of amphibians that live in our own backyards, and help them complete their journeys. Your participation will also allow us to collect data that scientists use to monitor amphibian populations in Maine and identify important road crossings sites.
Participants are required to wear a high-visibility, reflective safety vest and a headlamp during this event, and additional flashlights are recommended. We will have extra vests and headlamps available, but please bring your own if you have them. Please wear rain gear and plenty of warm layers- we will get wet! Since we will be in roadways at night, we ask that young children do not attend.
Big Night events will occur throughout April on rainy nights with temperatures of 40°F+ from 7:00pm-8:30pm. Since Big Night events are weather dependent, you will be alerted to a Big Night event by email 1-4 days in advance.
We will meet at the parking lot of Stester Preserve at 7:00pm, then walk together to Hidden Valley Nature Center (0.8 miles, ~15 minutes.) Please drive slowly and carefully! If you approach from the north via 215, you will be driving through the road crossing site we will be monitoring. If you approach from the south via 194, you will be passing through two other crossing sites that a different group is monitoring. Watch for suspicious leaves, sticks, and rocks in the road- these may be frogs and salamanders!
Big Night monitoring at Hidden Valley Nature Center is free, but registration is required - please see below.
If mucking around on a rainy night is not your thing or you would otherwise prefer to learn about amphibian migration during the day, checkout our daytime Amphibian Amble on April 9 at HVNC.
Registration
To register for these events and subscribe to the email list, complete one Big Night Liability Form for every participant. Contact Skye Cahoon at landmcc@midcoastconservancy.org or 774-571-4296 with any questions prior to the events. We look forward to seeing you!