I had a very busy weekend. I led vernal pool walks for both the Kittery Land Trust and the Great Works Regional Land Trusts on conserved properties known for their vernal pool habitats. But not only was I busy, so were the inhabitants of these very cool pools.

all photos: Brenna Crothers

Even though there was snow still in the woods and ice still in sections of the water, pool residents were still very active.

Wood frogs were already laying eggs and fairy shrimp were hatched and swimming about.

Over twenty-five visitors attended each event, one located at Brave Boat Harbor in Kittery and the other in the Tatnic Region of South Berwick.

In addition to woodfrogs and fairy shrimp, these temporary spring pools are important habitat to spotted and blue spotted salamanders and to many species of turtles, included the endangered Blandings turtle. Turtles use vernal pools as stepping stones as they travel across landscapes.

Come join us on a Twilight Vernal Pool walk on Tuesday May 5th from 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm. Click here for more information on that walk.

If you want to know more about how you can help conserve these very cool pools visit vernalpools.me