03/07/2026
There's a hint of spring in the air in Michigan's southern lower peninsula!
Vernal pools will start to thaw and/or fill with water, fairy shrimp will start to appear, and you may begin to hear wood frogs starting to call. Amphibian emergence is around the corner!
It's important to be aware of emergence conditions for h**p safety! Known as 'Big Nights', these first warm, rainy nights of spring trigger mass migration of amphibians from their winter habitats to vernal pools.
🚘Help reduce road mortality of our amphibian friends by reducing your drive time or totally staying off the roads during 'Big Nights', taking special care if you are nearby forested wetlands or known vernal pools.
If you choose to go out and experience the migration -- here are a few tips for the safety of yourselves & our amphibian friends...
🟢Make sure you have permission to visit the site at night.
🟢Disinfect boots or other footwear and any other supplies you plan on using in the pool if you have previously used your boots or supplies at other sites/wetlands.
🟢Wear a high visibility or brightly colored vest/clothing, esp. if you are near a road.
🟢Watch where you step when you are walking through the woods and around the vernal pool to make sure you don’t step on any amphibians. Avoid walking in the vernal pool during these visits to avoid stepping on and disturbing them while they are in the pool.
🟢Observe and appreciate from afar, and avoid or minimize handling amphibians you observe. Amphibians have very thin skin that soaks up just about anything they touch.
🟢Please handle any amphibians gently and as briefly as possible, and please let it go where you found it. Please do not move or remove amphibians from the wild.
🟢After you’re done with your visit, wash your hands with soap and warm water. If you plan to go to another site, properly disinfect your hands, footwear, and supplies before going to another site so that you don’t accidentally transfer any disease to another site.
