Newt Crossing!

Please Drive Carefully – Newts Crossing!

Rough Skinned Newt – Contributed photo

This is the time of year when tiny Rough-skinned Newts are moving from their summer breeding ponds to the surrounding woodland where they spend the winter. Sadly that often means crossing roads, and many are killed. We just counted 72 little dead newts on one short stretch of Boyce Rd running from Wolf Hollow, down into the dip at Nettle Creek, and back up the other side past the turn-off to Crow Valley Rd. We also moved 3 live newts off the road.

These little, dark-brown creatures can be difficult to see, especially in the dark, but if you are aware that this is a newt crossing area, and drive carefully, you can avoid running them over.

We are aware of this newt crossing area because it is right on our doorstep, but there are probably other areas on San Juan Island where newts are being killed on roads too. If you are aware of other locations, please let us know so we can keep track, and also let your neighbors and friends know, so they can drive carefully and help spread the word.

Thank You!

Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehabilitation Center – 378 5000,
wolfhollow @ wolfhollowwildlife [.] org.

If you live near an area where newts cross a road and would like a Newt Crossing Sign that you can print out and put up, contact Kwiaht, kwiaht [@] gmail [.] com.

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