NEW DATE Log Life: A Home for Arthropods, Salamanders, Snakes

We’ll explore the tops and bottoms of logs, branches, and debris, grubbing for early spiders, such as lace weavers, smaller wolf spiders, and some early orb weavers and their webs. There should be a variety of other arthropods, including various beetles, centipedes, millipedes, and isopods. We will also probably encounter larger critters such as red-backed salamanders and if we’re lucky, small snakes like garter, brown, and possibly worm or even ring-necked. Holt Park offers a good woodland spider-hunting habitat, plus plenty of stream-side and pond-side habitats for more moisture-loving organisms.

As is always the case outdoors, the unexpected is usually likely, so who knows what we’ll find. It will be the peak of warbler migration, too, so we’ll be looking up as well as down.

Our trip leader, John Robinson, is a volunteer like most of the people who lead NHSM field trips. Your money directly supports the programs, the nature collections, and the building that make this kind of nature education possible. Donate or become a member of the Natural History Society of Maryland by visiting https://marylandnature.org/support-maryland-nature/.

Difficulty: Easy to moderate (low-intensity hiking)

Remember to

• Dress according to the weather. Layers of clothing work best.
• Wear sturdy closed-toe hiking boots or sneakers with non-slip soles that can safely handle slippery surfaces.
• Bring water, snacks, sunblock, bug spray, and for your camera, an extra battery, memory card, and lens-cleaning cloth.
• Small glass or plastic containers for temporary specimen holding
• Bring binoculars, a few will be available to borrow.
• Bring your guidebooks.
• No pets, please.

The exact meeting location will be listed in your confirmation email after payment has been received.

NEW – Payment and Cancellation Policy: Payment is due online at the time of registration. Cancellations made seven or more days in advance of the event will receive a refund minus a 5% processing fee. Cancellations made within seven days of the event will not receive a refund. Events with fees of $10 or less are not refundable at any time unless canceled by NHSM. NHSM retains the right to update or change these requirements at any time.

For questions, please email Jayne at JAsh@marylandnature.org.