Spring 2017 Newsletter
Spotted salamander moving across snow
during January warm spell in Sutton NH.
Photo by Jen Alford-Teaster
NH Reptile and Amphibian Reporting
Program (RAARP) & NH Wildlife Sightings
Dear RAARP/NH Wildlife Sightings Participant,
After a snowy start to February that had ski mountains cheering, an extended
warm spell mid-month hit the low 70s F in southern NH and exposed bare
ground in much of southern NH. As a result, we had several reports of wood
frogs, peepers, and other critters moving in late February. But typical cooler
weather moved back in extending the major amphibian movement. Then, 1-2
feet of snow hit much of NH in mid-March!!!! Well, it is New England! Early season reports of
amphibian and reptile movement such as those observed this year are important to submit to NHFG.
These reports help us track annual changes in wildlife movement.
This newsletter highlights some of the ongoing conservation
efforts for reptiles and amphibians in NH and includes a
summary of reports submitted during 2016. Time to get ready for
spending time in the woods and wetlands!
Remember that photos and exact locations of sightings are
extremely important for biologists to verify your reports. If you
are unable to take a photograph, note a description of the size,
coloration, distinctive patterns or markings, and habitat. This
information substantially increases our success in verifying
reports. Recordings or descriptions of their calls are also helpful.
We are encouraging reporters to use our online NH Wildlife
Sightings reporting system. If you have difficulty using this
system or prefer another reporting mechanism, we still allow
reporting slips to be snail mailed and/or emailed - we just
need all of the information filled
out, preferably on the
standardized form (especially location and species description
details). Coordinates of the location are preferred, but a nearest
address and description of where on the property is sufficient. It is
also worth noting that roadkill & road crossing observations are
also accepted and encouraged to help us identify animal road
crossing hotspots in the state. This year we even added most
mammals to the NH Wildlife Sightings page for this purpose. For
more information, see reporting details below and on NHFG
website. Your reports are valuable to us and we appreciate your
input on the reporting process as well.
New RAARP volunteer (above) catches wood frog
Spring 2017 Newsletter
WHAT’S NEW?
NH Wildlife Sightings
How to find Site: http://nhwildlifesightings.unh.edu/ or google ‘NH Wildlife Sightings’.
Things you can do on NH Wildlife Sightings site:
Report Wildlife observations including all reptiles and amphibian species.
Report vernal pool locations and associated wildlife species.
Use interactive map to locate observation.
Upload photos to observation.
View town distribution maps for all species eligible for reporting.
See all of your wildlife observations and vernal pool reports on a map and table located on
your home page (see image below as example).
Download all of your observations.
Spring 2017 Newsletter
We encourage you to submit your future reptile and amphibian observations through NH Wildlife
Sightings (other species groups can be reported there as well). Mapping tools allow observers to
pinpoint the location of their wildlife observation. Digital photographs can be uploaded as part of
your submissions. Detailed instructions are available on the website.
http://nhwildlifesightings.unh.edu/.
Spring 2017 Newsletter
NH Wildlife Sightings – Use Your Smart Phone From Field
Spring 2017 Newsletter
RAARP/ NH Wildlife Sightings Reporting Form
If you are not using NH Wildlife Sightings website, we request that you submit your reptile and
amphibian observations on a standard reporting form. This form is available for download on our
website. Why? – The reporting form matches the format of the web-based reporting and is intended
to gather all of the important data we use for conservation purposes. You can report 2 different
species on one form as long as they are at the same location (same habitat type and within close
proximity of each other).
Observations can be submitted to NHFG in any of the following ways:
1) Online (see NH Wildlife Sightings information above),
2) Email completed reporting form to [email protected],
http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Wildlife/Nongame/RAARP/RAARP_WildlifeSightings_EmailFo
rm.doc
3) Mail in hard copy reporting forms to:
NHFG, Nongame & Endangered Wildlife Program, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord NH 03301.
http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Wildlife/Nongame/RAARP/RAARP_report_form_NEW.pdf
Call 603-271-2461 for questions.
Spring 2017 Newsletter
Updated NH Vernal Pool Documentation Manual Available on NHFG Website The new manual has updated reporting forms, updated species information, and color photographs.
Check it out and don’t forget to send in your completed forms
http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/nongame/vernal-pools.html
Remember: Vernal pool data can be
submitted through NH Wildlife Sightings
website. Select ‘Vernal Pool’ under ‘Habitat
Information’. Most fields under Vernal Pool
form are optional but fill in as much as you
can.
Spring 2017 Newsletter
Blanding’s Turtles - Surveys Continue & Conservation Implementation Underway The Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program was recently
awarded a second Competitive State Wildlife Grant from the
USFWS to continue population monitoring and implementation of
conservation strategies to protect these state endangered turtles. NHFG will be using radiotelemetry to track their movements across
the landscape and working with land owners and land managers to
enhance habitat. We are excited to get to work when the weather warms up! Reporting your sightings is strongly encouraged! For
more information on our efforts for Blanding’s turtles in the
northeast U.S., see: http://www.blandingsturtle.org/ and the NHFG
website: http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/wildlife/profiles/blandings-turtle.html
Wood Turtles – Initial Surveys Completed
NHFG Website: Snake, Frog, Turtle, and Salamander Pages To assist with identification, NHFG created a web page with information and photographs on snakes, turtles,
frogs, and salamanders. Calls of NH frogs can be listened to on this website as well. Also, town distribution
maps can be viewed for each species. To find these pages, go to the NHFG website: Wildnh.com/nongame
and click on reptiles and amphibians. http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/nongame/reptiles-amphibians.html
Attached you will find the 2016 report summary.
Thank you for your participation in RAARP/ NH Wildlife Sightings! I look forward to seeing all of your
reports during 2017.
Sincerely,
Michael Marchand
Nongame & Endangered Wildlife Program
NHFG recently completed surveys under a USFWS
funded Competitive State Wildlife Grant for wood
turtles. Our surveys documented many previously
unknown sites and gathered population data at each.
Over 200 stream surveys were conducted in 2014-
2015, and nearly 250 individual turtles were
marked, weighed and measured. The data from this
effort will be used to develop conservation
strategies. We will continue surveys during spring
and fall of 2017 and future years. Reporting your
sightings is strongly encouraged! For more
information on Wood turtles, check out the NHFG
website:
http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/wildlife/profiles/wo
od-turtle.html
Spring 2017 Newsletter
2016 Summary Reports
AMPHIBIANS
Frogs/Toads # Reports Salamanders # Reports
American Toad 9 Spotted Salamander 15
Wood Frog 6 Eastern Newt 8
Gray Treefrog 2 Redback Salamander 6
Green Frog 4 Two-lined Salamander 4
Northern Spring Peeper 5 Dusky Salamander 2
Bullfrog 3 Spring Salamander 2
Fowler's Toad* 0 Blue-spotted X Jefferson Salamander* 4
Mink Frog* 5 Four-toed Salamander 2
Pickerel Frog 6 Slimy Salamander 0
Northern Leopard Frog* 1 Marbled Salamander* 0
Mudpuppy 0
TOTAL FROGS 41
TOTAL SALAMANDERS 43
TOTAL AMPHIBIANS 84
REPTILES
Turtles # Reports Snakes # Reports
Blanding's Turtle* 63 Common Garter Snake 16
Wood Turtle* 27 Northern Water Snake 15
Spotted Turtle* 9 Milk Snake 12
Eastern Painted Turtle 17 Northern Black Racer* 6
Snapping Turtle 22 Eastern Ribbon Snake* 6
Musk turtle (Stinkpot) 3 Eastern Hognose Snake* 13
Eastern Box Turtle* 3 Ringneck Snake 3
Red-eared slider (non-native) 0 Redbelly Snake 10
Smooth Green Snake* 4
Brown Snake 3
Timber Rattlesnake* 0
TOTAL TURTLES 144 TOTAL SNAKES 88
TOTAL REPTILES 232
*NOTE: The numbers reported above represent the number of observations REPORTED. These observations have not
been validated and these reports do not necessarily represent distinct populations.
Spring 2017 Newsletter
Targets for 2017
Frogs/Toads: Very few Mink frogs have been reported since 2012, with a slight increase in 2016. NHFG staff added
several new records from the North Country Region this past summer. Mink frogs have a northerly distribution (north of the White Mountains). We encourage our northern NH RAARP volunteers to report
this species and if you don’t live up north, it would make a great get-away weekend. Listen for their call in
June and early July (sounds like hitting 2 boards together). If you are fortunate to capture one, try to take a good photo!! Mink frogs can look very similar to our more common green frog. Another tip for
identification: The smell test! Mink frogs have a rotten onion smell that is a dead giveaway.
Fowler’s toads can be difficult to verify; try to listen for their distinct calls during spring (calls can be listened to on the NHFG website). NHFG has confirmed one population in Boscawen during a 2016 survey
and another was reported in the town of Hinsdale. Other sites likely exist and are just waiting to be
identified!
We need verified reports of Leopard frogs; photos are crucial!! Most reports of Leopard frogs turn out to be
Pickerel and green frogs. Focus searches during late summer in floodplains, fields, and agricultural areas
along rivers. See the NHFG website for description of species.
Northern Leopard Frog Pickerel Frog
Salamanders: Jefferson and blue-spotted salamanders – breed in vernal pools in early spring. Four-toed salamanders – associated with sphagnum wetlands.
Marbled salamander - State endangered species; be sure to take a photo if you come across one of these and
call NHFG ASAP (603-271-2461). Most likely to be found in: Hollis, Brookline, Milford and Hinsdale. Spring & dusky salamanders – live in/near streams and seeps statewide.
Mudpuppies – known from Connecticut River but we need more records to determine distribution.
Spring 2017 Newsletter
Turtles: EXCITING NEWS! NHFG has discovered the first known Eastern Box Turtle population in the state. We are
using radiotelemetry to track these individuals with hope of finding others and better understand their habitat
here in the granite state. These turtles are likely restricted to towns along the southern border. If you observe
one call NHFG ASAP (603-271-2461) and get a photo!!
Male box turtle with transmitter Female box turtle with transmitter
Blanding’s turtle - have been among the top reported species for the last several years. This is probably due
in part to the species large size, and movement patterns which bring it into frequent contact with residential areas and roads. Keep those reports coming!
Keep the reports flowing for Spotted and Wood turtles. Even Musk turtles are underrepresented in RAARP reports.
Keep a look out for Red-eared sliders and other non-native turtles. Non-native turtles can compete with our native species and potentially introduce diseases. Reports of non-native species are just as important.
Snakes: Hognose snakes are state endangered and their sandy habitat continues to be developed in southern New
Hampshire. To protect this species, we need to document the best places where they still occur. Photos are
critical.
We initiated a Black racer study during 2010 and the press associated with that project at that time resulted in
a number of new records. Continue to send these reports in soon after racers are observed.
Ribbon snakes and smooth green snake were listed in the NH
Wildlife Action Plan as Species of Greatest Conservation Need.
Photographs are critical for Ribbon snakes. Check out the NHFG website to help with
identification.
Garter snake
(right) - common
statewide Ribbon snake (above) - not common