Vernal Pool Critters

Here are some recent photos from two vernal pool locations near us that saw some activity on a few rainy early March nights (3/6/24 & 3/8/24) . Temps were a bit chilly at 41 degrees. Vernal Pools Small seasonal pools found throughout Massachusetts that fill up with water for part of the year, but don’t…

Virgin’s-bower (Clematis virginiana) growing at Grey Fox Conservation land, photo taken on 9/24/22, near the banks of Stony Brook in Westford. According to Native Plant Trust’s Go Botany, this beautiful native is the most common clematis in New England. The Cherokee made an infusion of virgin’s-bower with milkweed (Asclepias) to treat backache, as well as…

7/2/22 – From trust President Dave Ebiston: Picture taken with an IPhone which was enlarged , he lives under my shed and mows my lawn for me. Per Mass Audubon, Massachusetts is home to two species of wild rabbit—the native New England Cottontail (Sylvilagus transitionalis) and the non-native Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus). The latter was introduced…

Late winter/early spring is the time to look out for activity near your local vernal pool on the first rainy, warm nights of spring.  Here are some photos from areas near a few Westford & Littleton vernal pools late March 2023 Any day now, when we get a big soaking rain with a nighttime temperature…

Eastern Milk Snake (Lampropeltis triangulum) The Eastern Milk Snake has a mottled grey, brown, and reddish body. This non-venomous snake is often confused for a rattlesnake, but it lacks the rattle, keeled scales, and cat-like pupils. It is found in fields, woodlands, rocky hillsides, and wetland edges and primarily eats small mammals (from Mass Audubon…