Our third annual herp road trip in the name of finding new species lead us to the Coastal Plain of North Carolina or more specifically Hyde County. We heard from others that herping Hyde was an awesome experience. The area is quite accessible to all sorts of coastal habitats including both fresh and brackish water zones. There are a variety of man made and natural areas. Forested wetlands, marshes and lakes, pine, Cyprus and hardwood forests as well as reclaimed agriculture areas transected by numerous canals and ditches.
The human population is spread out into large and small farms, single family homes some old, some new, some well kept some run down. The roads are simple two lanes that seem to go on forever with virtually no traffic which makes road cruising at night very safe and enjoyable- (at least while we were there and I can’t vouch for other times of the year). Gas stations and other modern conveniences – forget it. You’re not going to find a 7-11, a Sheetz, or a major grocery store. Gas stations are a few and in between and are often hidden or seem to blend in with the landscape.
We stayed near the the Mattamuskeet Wild Life Refuge. During the day we explored the refuge and occasionally the out of the way dirt and gravel roads At night we road cruised rte 264 as well as surrounding “country” roads.
Hi Mark!
Cliff from Long Branch Nature Center gave your name as a possible contact. I need some amphibian help. I would like to conduct a survey of Woodglen Lake in Fairfax county and begin some citizen science programs (long term) to record data of salamanders and amphibians in the area. I am currently training to be a Master Naturalist, but have been interested in herps for a lifetime. I want to start in my own backyard because I know there are two nice big vernal pools and we have enjoyed them for the many years we have lived here. I am running out of options with the county and can’t get a permit to do anything short of walking along the path at our lake. I feel like salamanders are a tremendous test of an environment as some of them are so localized and specific in their habits. I feel like there is an opportunity to monitor the populations that Fairfax is missing. Right now I am driving into Arlington to do surveys because I am told that it’s illegal in Fairfax. Can you please help me? My sons and I have already found spotted and red backed salamanders in the past few weeks, but we’d like to explore the rest of what’s here and provide some meaningful data for our county. Can you help us?
My apologies. This site has been altered by software updates. Anyway I guess you know by now you have received my reply through Jim