Date: 3/11/26 4:41 am From: Yvette de Boer (via CAYUGABIRDS-L list) <CAYUGABIRDS-L...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] TCAMP patrols tonight!
Hello Bird List! This is not directly bird related but I know we are nature enthusiasts so I wanted to provide some info about TCAMP. There have been some emails about the group on this list serve so please disregard if you already know about this organization and its efforts.
The warm evening rains this time of year bring on an incredible natural phenomenon - amphibians en masse migrate to vernal pools to lay eggs.
Because this often involves road crossings, there is a relatively high mortality rate.
In an effort to help amphibians, a local group named TCAMP (Tompkins County Amphibian Patrol) was established a couple of years ago. Volunteers go out on warm, wet early Spring nights to move salamanders and frogs to the other side of the road. The amphibians are identified and counted including dead ones that were hit by cars. Data collected are being compiled and there are several people working with the data as part of their research.
Soooo … why am I telling you this? It looks like tonight (Wednesday March 11) is going to be an optimal migration night! Volunteers will be out along a number of roads in the Caroline and Brooktondale area including Thomas Road, White Church and Ellis Hollow. There are also groups near the Cornell golf course. They will be wearing hi vis vests and headlamps. Please slow down when you see them. If you’d like, ask them to show you a Spotted Salamander, which there are typically many of. They are big and beautiful!
