Our last evening trips to see salamanders at night in Gatineau Park were successful. Therefore, we plan to have one more hike at the end of this week. This is a guided hike to explore Gatineau Park in the evening time for those who are interested to know more about dwellers of the forests and wetlands, tiny creatures, that just woke up after winter hibernation, and nocturnal bird species. We’ll meet at 7:30 pm on May 05 (Friday evening) at Parking 8 in Gatineau Park, which is located not too far from the Gatineau Park Visitor Center.
During our last excursion, we counted many spotted salamanders, one northern dusky salamander, and five species decided to move into other ponds after the evening chorus singing. In spring, salamanders rush to forest streams, ponds, and lakes to mate and lay their eggs there. At the larval stage, most salamanders from temperate regions are aquatic. Their tadpoles have three pairs of external gills and a long laterally flattened tail. Tadpoles breathe through their gills. At the end of the aquatic stage, they transform into adult salamanders through the metamorphosis process, becoming similar to small lizards. After the breeding season, adult salamanders will return back to the forest, where they will be almost invisible, as they lead a twilight and nocturnal lifestyle. During the day they hide in secluded recesses under the forest floor, stones, and trunks of fallen trees. The diversity of salamanders is rich in the eastern part of North America. So, we hope to see at least several different salamander species at night.
But not only salamanders will be the goal of our excursion. We will also listen to the voices of spring, which can be heard on the distance in the leafless forest. First of all, we will determine whether tiny tree frogs have already woken up – spring peepers, whose melodic whistle resembles the singing of invisible little birds. Also, we will be able to see in the evening dawn how Wilson’s snipes and American woodcocks fly over the forest openings and over wetlands with the characteristic sound of a propeller. We will listen to see if the secretive American Bittern has already appeared near the reservoirs and hide in dry aquatic vegetation near the lakes. And also, we will be able to hear the night conversation of owls – the barred owls and eastern screech owls.
A year ago, during such an excursion, we also saw a bear mom with three cubs, who had just come out from their winter den and were looking for food under the oak trees. Having noticed our small group, the bears immediately tried to hide in the nearest ravine. We could spot three 3 species of salamanders that occur in Gatineau Park and heard the night call of the barred owls.
How to dress?
It is expected lots of rain in the next week. The rain will destroy the snow, but the forest will be damp. Please, watch the weather forecast to be prepared for a trip. It can be also chilly in the evening time. So, it is better to have warm jackets and good shoes that are most comfortable for a trip on wet forest paths.
What else might be needed?
Do not forget the flashlight. It is great if you have your binoculars for bird observations, and your cameras, or telephones for photos. It would be also good to have light snacks and water.