GCN hibernation migration

[The Woodman]

For the last two years I have become very familiar with one of our back lanes, a single carriageway running along the foot of the fell with low lying river plain on the other side. This area is just above sea level and is intersected with drains but no ponds.

This weekend last year I found three GCNs run over at a particular point on the road and yesterday exactly the same scenario following heavy rain on Friday night.

All newts were heading toward the fell, there is a well built drystone wall at the road boundary and I assume they were heading for that.

Is the second week in November a usual migration time? It's been mild generally apart from a couple of sharp frosts and I might have thought that they would have made a move to their winter quarters before now.

[Dogghound]

It varies considerably between regions. The mild autumn is without doubt prolonging amphibian activity. Peak migration occurs on wet/humid nights such as the one you describe, for obvious reasons (dessication etc). In Britain migration can occur as late as November, during mild years like this. Usually it occurs until September/October. We have not really had prolonged periods of frost or cold temperatures yet. Sometimes movements do occur during the winter between hibernacula, but since you report three this is unlikely.

Drystone walls are fantastic hibernacula. Interesting how its the same each date year. Hard to comment due to changes in micro-climates and other factors I dont know. They tend to be more casual in migration timing in comparison to toads and frogs.

All GCN i have found recently have been torpid.

[The Woodman]

Thanks, Dogghound. If I get a chance I'll pop along with a torch and see if there's any in the drain alongside the road. It's relatively shallow and well vegetated, not the usual optimal habitat as described in literature.

[Dogghound]

They can breed in some funny places. Also most GCN literature concerns breeding ponds, GCN often forage in habitats unsuitable for breeding.

[The Woodman]

You make a good point about breeding and foraging habitat. I have found them in the most unlikely places. The "unlikely" is only in my mind - not the newts!