Pacific Newt Roadkill: 18 found dead today

February 23, 2019 (Saturday) 7 am – 9 am
I found 18 dead newts on Alma Bridge Rd. this morning. There were very few old carcasses (~30). Last count was 5 days ago.

It’s been cold this week and there was frost on the ground this morning. The overnight low was 36oF. Low temperatures since the last time I did a roadkill count: 35oF, 35oF, 44oF, 38oF, 40oF. I’m thinking the low temperatures kept the newts off the road, for the most part.

Some kind person put up 3 more “Newt Crossing” signs. Unfortunately, people seem to be ignoring them and continue to speed on this road.

See: https://www.inaturalist.org/calendar/truthseqr/2019/2/23

Coverage: (~51%) Vulcan Materials quarry to Soda Springs Rd.

Rainfall: (MTD: 7.18 in; YTD: 18.47 in) No rain in the past 6 days.

Traffic: There were long boats on the reservoir early this morning (6:50 am) with the associated traffic on the road. Other than that, only a few cars south of the rowing club.

Posted on February 24, 2019 12:30 AM by truthseqr