End of the newt season summary

This year we completed 52 roadkill surveys, documenting 3,606 dead newts and 305 other organisms representing 62 species (with a record number of California Tortoiseshell with the recent population spike).

California Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis californica) on Alma Bridge Rd.

The number of dead newts was higher than in the past couple of years (about 2,600 per year), but much lower than during the previous five years (about 6,000 per year). 

Pacific Newt Roadkill - 2017-2026

Pacific Newt Roadkill data - 2017-2026

The newt passage project is making some progress, but slowly. For this reason we launched our Assisted Migration program this year. During this pilot season we were able to save 841 newts, along with other salamanders, frogs, toads, and many insects and spiders. 

Assisted Migration pilot program - number of newts and number of session per month

We also participated in five tabling events this year, and spoke with around 1,000 people about our program! 

Learning about the Newt Patrol program at a tabling event in Filoli

email merav@bioblitz.club if you'd like to join our team and help us table, survey the road, and save the newts!