Hey Charlie, Sat. night, Feb. 15, in Sullivan Co. near S. Holston Lake, Spotted Salamanders were moving in some numbers to breeding pools, as were Wood Frogs and a few Spring Peepers. Wood Frogs were a large, loud chorus; Peepers few in number. Couldn't find any egg masses yet, it may have been the first night suitable for travel here. It was raining and in the 40's F. There was still a little ice and snow lingering where the snowplows had piled it in shady spots. If you find a place where the amphibians have to migrate across a road or other open space, watch for predators like Screech Owls and foxes to take advantage of the situation. I'm curious to know what if anything will actually eat Spotted Salamanders. I've always assumed that their coloration meant that they were toxic or distasteful, but I have heard reports of predators at least killing them. Don Holt Johnson City, TN =================NOTES TO SUBSCRIBER===================== The TN-Bird Net requires you to sign your messages with first and last name, city (town) and state abbreviation. ----------------------------------------------------- To post to this mailing list, simply send email to: tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx ----------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, send email to: tn-bird-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'unsubscribe' in the Subject field. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Topographical Maps located at http://topozone.com/find.asp * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Visit the Tennessee Ornithological Society web site at http://www.tnbirds.org * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * TN-Bird Net Owner: Wallace Coffey, Bristol, TN jwcoffey@xxxxxxxxxx (423) 764-3958 =========================================================