The Hidden World of Vernal Pools

Earlier this month, during our first in-person event of 2021, we hosted a small but eager group to explore the world of vernal pools. On a beautiful and warm spring day, the group walked through the woods of Birch Ridge Community Forest in New Durham with walk leader and NH Coverts volunteer Tom Gardner. With Tom’s help and the advance-scouting of volunteer Fred Quimby, the group was lucky enough to find a handful of vernal pools only a short walk from the parking lot.

Vernal pools host a number of unique and interesting creatures, including providing valuable habitat and food sources for amphibians like frogs and salamanders. A few of the vernal pools even had visible groups of wood frog and spotted salamander eggs.

A group of eggs spotted by the group in a vernal pool.

“It was surprising and reassuring to find eggs in one pool that was severely impacted by logging - a good indication of the resilience of nature,” participant Lorrie Drake explained. For the group, these eggs highlighted the forest’s potential for renewal now that it is safely conserved by MMRG.

Tom explained the many important qualities of vernal pools that make them ideal temporary homes. One example is that, since vernal pools dry up after only a few short months, fish cannot live in the pools making them predator-free zones for eggs and hatchlings. For many creatures, vernal pools are preferred habitats compared to more permanent wetlands.

“I gleaned many new ideas about the forest and its inhabitants while taking this educational and enjoyable walk on such a beautiful spring day,” said participant Rachel Towne.

We’d like to thank Tom for offering his time and expertise for the walk, as well as Fred Quimby for taking the time to locate and mark vernal pools for the group in the weeks before the event. Branch Ridge Community Forest is owned by Southeast Land Trust NH and MMRG holds the conservation easement for the property - learn more about the community forest here!