Vernal Pools Near Toronto

[Matthew Strimas-Mackey]

I'd like to get out to some vernal pools over the next few days to check out amphibians. For those that have never done this, it's an amazing experience. Anyone know any good vernal pooling spots near Toronto? Hopefully it's not too late...

[RKD]

I agree, an amazing experience. I did it for the first time this year along the Bruce trail. Good numbers of several species of salamanders. This coming weekend they should be at their peak.

[Rob'in'To]

That'd be something cool.  Didn't know about such things.  Now where can we find one in the GTA?

[GStuart]

Altona Road in Pickering?

[Mike's Wildlife]

Im into herpetology. Theres a trail called "Seaton Trail". In the northeastern part of the trail near Whitevale there is a big old quarry thats been covered with shrubs and pine. There are lots of permanent water pools that have Green frogs, Bullfrogs, Pickerel Frogs, American Toads, and Leopard Frogs. They all start breeding in May. Also there is some snakes too at the trail. I've seen a Garter Snake, Northern Redbelly Snakes, and a Dekay's Brown Snake. And lastly I have seen one dead baby Snapping Turtle in another part of the trail. Here is a link to the website: http://www.seatontrail.org/ Hope This helps  

[RKD]

I should add that the salamanders are active and moving to the vernal ponds for breeding at night so bring your flashlights, lol. I'm hoping to go again tonight, if the rain isn't too bad and will post pictures if successful.

[gary yankech]

Rouge Park has some amazing vernal ponds but alas, unless you are conducting a survey, (as I do in the summer for odonates) most are off trail or not available to the public. I know of several hidden ponds that host an array of wildlife including snapping turtles. Check out my flickr account to see a few of my Rouge Park pics of frogs and other wildlife:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/49663413@N08/
There are a few ponds you may wish to check out in the Beare Wetlands that are quite good, park at Pearse House (just east and across the Toronto Zoo, off Meadowvale) and take the trail down the hill. Cedar and Orchard trail both have several ponds that you can check out. Be careful though, there are salamander monitoring sites in this area and Rouge Park wants trail users to stay on trail. If you are lucky you will see tree frogs  sitting on low foliage and painted turtles basking on logs. Just after rainy days, salamanders cross the trail where the Rouge river runs under. Good luck.

Gary Yankech

[Matthew Strimas-Mackey]

Thanks for all the tips. Didn't manage to get out this weekend as I had hoped, but will try to check out some of these spots in the near future.

[RKD]

Just a couple pictures  from our vernal pool excursion last week. The Jefferson salamander pictures didn't turn out well, sorry, but a couple yellow spotted salamanders and a spring peeper did.

[Matthew Strimas-Mackey]

Nice, I love Spotted Salamanders. I was out a couple weeks ago a got a decent picture showing the difference between Jefferson's and Blue-spotted (top and bottom respectively).