Mole Salamanders Now Migrating and Mating 2026
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LERT! The mole salamander mating season has begun here in upstate New York. Last night there was a significant movement of both Jefferson and Spotted Salamanders at the Bull Pasture Ponds Preserve located at Cornell University's golf course. There was little or no migration at higher elevations, such as at Cornell's Ringwood Ponds Preserve, but warms days and evening rain will arrive mid-week and should bring those locations to life.
The video above celebrates the early migration of the the Jefferson Salamander, and features stunning footage of salamanders moving across snow patches while making their way to the swamp in which they were born.
Below are two more videos. The first focuses on the migration and mating behavior of the venerable Spotted Salamander, and the other is a fun video short of the Jefferson Salamander accompanied by a cheerful, uplifting musical composition by my talented composer-friend Mer Boel.
Enjoy!
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Great video. In my area, outside the NYS Capital District, I have not found pure Jeffs, all are hybrids.
I had a nice hour’s time at my Salamander spot this morning (3-11-26) here in SE Michigan.
I was out from 3:30am until 4:30am. I found 24 Jefferson’s and 12 Spotted. A great start to my day!
We should have a great migration and breeding congregations tonight and/or tomorrow night. I’m gearing up now for a prolonged outing.
I never thought of salamanders out in snow and ice. I loved this video.
Just lovely! I too enjoyed the poetry and the music. I have witnessed the mating frenzy in Mendon Ponds Park near Rochester but not for some time. It is amazing.
Well, I must say I 3as incredibly surprised at my enjoyment of this! I generally shy away from snake and lizard like things – but decided to watch and listen. I am so glad I did! Your calming and serene commentary along with the delightful music made it a very touching and intimate experience. Thank you!
Glad to hear you like the music and my narration. In general, I’ve shied away from too much speaking and especially poetic commentary, but maybe I should revisit that option.
I feel like I just met the Mr Rogers of the woods and fields-“please won’t you be my neighbor?” Charming and soothing–reminds us to take a breath in this sometimes toxic air of our wonderful earht–thank you! Anne
Thank you!
That was lovely, Lang. Your subdued tone on the poem fit the mood of the crystalline music and icy snow and the Snow Trekker’s unhurried progress. I loved it (and the sounds of the Wood Frogs in the background–the ones in my full swamp here in No. Va. have just finished their 2-day breeding frenzy.)
Lovely work on the Snow Trekker! The ode was lovely and the choice of harp music brilliant. All three videos are amazing. Such a miracle that these delicate life forms still exist and pursue their future.
Beautiful, Lang! I was mesmerized by your “ode” to the Snow Trekker, and thoroughly enjoyed watching and listening to all 3 videos. My son, Casey, who heard about the migration here, thinks that the fact people know when it will happen and go to witness it epitomizes the spirit of “Ithaca.” I’m sure he will want to bring his young sons there one year!
Margaret: So good to hear that you enjoyed my videos!
I love salamanders so much! They are amazing, fascinating creatures! And yes, I do think they are cute! Adorable, actually…thank you so much for posting this.
Lang,
Excellent post! It was almost exactly 50 years ago, early spring of 1976, when, for the first time, I watched the very same 2 species crossing the same golf course to the same breeding ponds. Thank you for awakening that memory- one of many from that time that helped chart the course of my life.
Amazing. I arrived in Ithaca 45 years ago. Back then, I never encountered anyone during the migration season. That has changed dramatically. The migration now draws a huge crowd. Last night at around 10pm there were cars backed up so far on Bluegrass Lane that they were within maybe 200′ of Warren Road. As you can imagine, it was a bit of a zoo out there.
The same thing has happened at Mendon Ponds Park, near Rochester. For years I was the only one; now…sometimes crowds.
What a joy! I’ve been dreaming about these little fellows migrating in Catskills, thank you for capturing their slow steady movement.
You go buddy! I never before thought of salamanders as “cute.”