Road to Close for Salamander Crossing

After visiting Beekman Road just before dawn this morning, David Moskowitz of the East Brunswick Environmental Commission, said the road would be closed tonight to allow for the spotted salamander migration.

"The weather forecast for today is for light rain with temperatures rising to near 60 degrees, followed by potentially heavier rain later this afternoon," said Moskowitz in an e-mail. "Unlike last Friday when we goofed in closing the road, the rain and warmer temperatures are forecast to  continue through dark with drier and somewhat colder conditions not predicted until much later at night."

Residents who want to come and watch as the salamanders make their way across the road are welcome to come out. 

Every year, the East Brunswick Environmental Commission and the Friends of East Brunswick Environmental Commission, working with the police department, closes Beekman Road, off Church Lane, for a few weeks in the spring so that hundreds of these four -legged creatures can cross from one side to the other. Every year the salamanders leave their nesting grounds and make their way to nearby vernal pools to breed. After spending a few weeks there, the adults return to their home across the street.

"I went to the road before dawn this morning and there was one dead male spotted salamander and one dead spring peeper, so things are beginning to move around. I have no idea whether this means a big movement tonight or these were just early individuals, but time will tell. I am a little concerned about the forecast including thunderstorms with lightning tonight, so I would urge anyone coming to the road to use common sense if conditions are unsafe," Moskowitz continued.

In addition, those who volunteers for the Citizen Science monitoring project and everyone who volunteered has been notified. Details can be found on the Friends website atwww.friendsebec.com.