The Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC) in conjunction with the National Park Service (NPS) held a 24 hour biodiversity survey within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreational Area commencing Friday September 24th 2010 at 6pm.
A nice showing of NAFHA and PAHERP members were in attendance (Kyle Loucks, “Notread”, “Millside”, Doug Warner , Erin “Dailey” and were able to survey a total of 7 preselected sites in (NJ and PA) total. Despite the season, crispy dry environment, unseasonably warm weather and preselected site limitations the outcome showed a nice representation of herpetofauna in the area. Obviously we did also see other critters but what can I say we’re herp people so there are not too many included here. :)
Thank you in advance to the attendees for allowing use of their photos…If you recognize yours I would like to extend a kudos for the nice voucher never an easy feat under field conditions including night and full sun (depending upon your shift) and with moving subjects.
(Team – Kyle, Millside, Doug Warner, Dailey, Notread, and 4 non PAHERP/NAFHA members)
Stop 1 Delaware River -Riparian zone and a seep adjacent to the Delaware River for a distance of approximately 1 mile
Northern Green Frogs –(TMTC) They seemed to like these holes in the rocks
American Toads (Few)
Pickeral Frogs (Few)
Northern Dusky Salamanders (>20 in seep)
Northern Redback Salamander (Few -Lead and Red)
Eastern Garter Snake (1) Really nice coloration
Stop 2 An old farm field has been flooded and produced a nice size swamp. With abandoned barn and homestead.
Bullfrog
Northern Green Frog
Northern Slimy Salamander (<5)
Redbacked Salamander (<5)
Screech Owl (1) I’m still in awe photo taker on this shot almost an impossible shot due to dark and distance
Part of the group resting
Stop 3
This area is a mix of forest sections / swamps/ vernals along a 1.5 mile stretch of dirt road
Bullfrog (>10) in swamp
Ribbon snake (DOR)
Northern Brown snake (DOR)
Garter Snake (DOR)
Watersnakes (2)
Obtained following a valiant effort
Eastern Newts and Efts
Longtailed salamander (2) This adult was flipped by an impressive 15 year old named Kurt who is a plant/bug/bird expert who we may have converted into a herper as well :)
Northern gray treefrog (few)
Redbacked Salamanders (red and lead)
Northern Slimy salamanders
Spotted salamanders (baby and adult) (few)
Green frog
American Toad
