Painted turtles sunning themselves at the swamp!

Chipmunks are out and about. Lots and lots of gray squirrels are running around.

Mourning doves have been calling all day and into the evening.

Garter snakes were seen on March 12.

American woodcocks were first heard on March 8, and they have been "peenting" every night on campus since then. Dawn and dusk are their busy times, but they've been heard and seen in the black of night.

Spring peepers have started peeping at the swamp. Last night was the first "choir" that was heard.

Springtime has arrived! Well...the salamanders have!

Last night, we walked along Brisco Mountain Road in the rain, looking for and assisting spotted salamanders across the road.

The tally:

41 live spotted salamanders

17 dead spotted salamanders

2 live wood frogs

3 dead wood frogs (one with an egg sac)

20 live spring peepers

10 dead spring peepers

Rain, rain and more rain. Started last night and is continuing into the morning. Will it melt all the snow?

Flock of American Robins on campus - pulling worms from the loosening soil.

Chipmunks are out and about, running along rock walls where they've probably been curled up, avoiding the heavy snows and cold temperatures.

Canada Geese are back on Front Pond.

AMERICAN WOODCOCKS displaying on campus, right in front of the main building. Their courtship display involves spiraling upwards into the air and giving off a loud "peent!"

Lots of rain last night. Turned to snow this morning, but only left a dusting.