During the Bio Blitz at Alley Pong Park I got my Timberlands all mucked up marching around in marshes, lifting logs (many of which had suspicious fungal growth along its sides), and crouching down determining whether the organism in the dirt was either a salamander or a particularly fat worm. As we passed the salamanders gingerly from one hand to the next we were careful not to hold them sleepy by their tail (we were informed of their ability to drop their tail and run). One of the group members, Julia Duze, noticed that one of the salamanders had their left limb missing – which is how the class learned about the salamanders’ regenerating ability. It was also interesting learning abo
ut what makes this landscape habitable for salamanders (we learned that in Long Island different salamander species live on opposite sides of the terrain and intermingle in the middle. Our tour guide attributed this to the climate, specifically how humid or dry the area was.
I also discovered I have a knack for spotting toads and frogs. After finding two adolescent toads blending in with its scenery I spotted a New York State wood frog camouflaging with the dry grass, which what I was told was a rare find since it usually did no
t venture far from the ponds – which we weren’t too close to.
I really enjoyed the BioBlitz and was surprised to discover such a range in diversity in a park in New York City.
