268 Pacific Newts found dead today; no live ones seen
January 19, 2019 (Saturday)
I found 268 fresh newt carcasses (i.e., belly was bright orange/yellow and/or there was bright red blood).
See: https://www.inaturalist.org/calendar/truthseqr/2019/1/19
I also found 140 partially decomposed carcasses. I'll have to compare these with previous observations to make sure no duplicates are added to the project. This might take several days or weeks. Just be aware that the count could jump up to 408 for this date, if all the decomposed ones are added to the project in the coming weeks.
I also saw a broad-footed mole dead on the road (DOR).
Rainfall: 1.18" since I last did a roadkill count. Total rainfall for Jan: 4.34"
Traffic: There was a steady flow of traffic to and from the Los Gatos Rowing Club (not a safe time to be taking roadkill pictures). @merav joined me for the roadkill count between Limekiln and Priest Rock Trailheads. I also surveyed St. Joseph's Hill OSP to Aldercroft Heights Rd. (4.1 miles total). Traffic was not so bad once I got past the rowing club entrance. Lots of bikes and joggers on the road today as well.
Question: what does a newt look like after it's been run over by 100 vehicles?
Comments
You're doing such a great job, Anne! It was really interesting learning more about this problem. By the way - I was there again in the afternoon for a hike, and was surprised to see that almost all the newts we saw in the morning just by the limekiln trailhead were gone. In the morning there were at least 10 dead newts. By 4 pm they were all gone, but 1 that was still there.
Hi Merav,
This is very important information. It suggests that the number of deaths may be significantly under-reported. Good thing I do my roadkill counts first thing in the morning.
What do you think is causing the newt carcasses to disappear? Too many run-overs by multiple cars? Scavengers? The wind?
I would think too many cars, and possibly some predation - maybe crows?
I've made you an administrator of the project so you can make journal posts of information like this. It will be important to keep track of. Also, if you took pictures of the live newts, please feel free to add them to the project "Pacific Newts (Alive) - Lexington Reservoir Area". Also, please add your observations about the live newts as a journal post to that project or the umbrella project (or both). Thanks so much for your support and your willingness to get out there and do something about the carnage.
@finatic @truthseqr
Hi Anne, this was sent to me by Finatic.
https://www.inhalton.com/major-road-in-burlington-to-be-closed-for-salamander-migration
Thank you @finatic and @biohexx1 for sharing this article. It's always encouraging to hear about communities that care enough to take proactive steps to protect wildlife.
I wish I could convince the Board of Supervisors and residents at Lexington to do something similar to save the newts.
I saw that too. I think it is encouraging. We still have a long way to go, but I think this project is the right way to go, in addition to advocacy. I know it is very frustrating seeing all the dead newts, but these things take time. I hope we'll get there too.
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