This event has been cancelled due to Coronavirus concerns. Avalonia trails remain open, but visitors need to use caution, avoid large groups, and use good judgement when meeting other hikers.

While winter has hardly lived up to its name, an amazing variety of frogs, salamanders, and aquatic invertebrates have spent the colder season in hiding. But with the arrival of spring, they’re coming back to life in the temporary wetlands known as vernal pools. At twilight, we’ll hike the trail to a group of vernals in Avalonia’s Babcock Ridge Preserve to search for such creatures as Wood Frogs and Spring Peepers, Spotted and Marbled Salamanders, and Fairy Shrimp. We might also hear the booming hoots of Barred Owls and the peents of Woodcock.

Bring a flashlight, wear warm clothes and waterproof boots, and don’t forget your spirit of adventure on this family-friendly exploration of a fascinating part of the natural world.

Walk leader Bruce Fellman has been introducing people to vernal pool life for almost half-a-century.

photos: Bruce Fellman