Yesterday I completed the second survey at the Fairfield County hotspot. Spring has been off to a chilly start, and I did not observe any definite evidence of terrapin activity. A few holes that may have been test-holes for turtle nests were observed. I also found the sun-bleached plastron (bottom portion of shell) of a turtle on the side of the road (photo). This likely belonged to a terrapin that was struck by a vehicle a long time ago. I also documented a road-killed mouse.
Last week I reached out to the US Fish & Wildlife Service because much of this road (a causeway running through saltmarsh) borders National Wildlife Refuge property. Staff at this refuge are aware of both the terrapin road mortality and roadside litter problems here. They expressed interest in finding solutions to these issues, and in data and photographs collected during my surveys here.
I also reached out to CT DOT, as the Fairfield County Hotspot is a DOT-managed roadway. I am awaiting a response from them. Next week I have a virtual meeting scheduled with researchers at Western Connecticut State University regarding collective efforts to identify hotspots for terrapin road mortality.
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