I, as you have surmised by now, have a passion for learning and experiencing as much of nature as I can. Birds always interest and challenge me. April starts the spike of new bird arrivals but is a good time also to find salamanders.

In Pennsylvania, 22 species of salamanders can be found. The Times News coverage area offers you a number of species to be uncovered (discovered). As you take one of your nature walks, maybe looking for the spring birds, that walk might take you to some good salamander habitats.

It is very likely that even if you live in Lehighton, Parryville, Nesquehoning, Jim Thorpe or Weissport, red-backed salamanders are found there, too. Don’t be afraid to stop and overturn a loose stone or piece of rotting log. The common salamander lying there in its damp hiding spot is most likely a “redback.”

If the salamander has a slate-gray back where the burnt orange should be, you have found a lead-backed salamander. “Leadbacks” are the different color phase of the red-backed salamander and indeed the same species.

If a small stream, mountain spring or wet rock ledge is nearby, these are ideal spots to find other species without too much effort. I find a wet shale bank, spring seep or small mountain stream too tempting to not explore it a bit. I simply have to lift a few stones or moss to find some salamanders.

In my “little searches” I have found dusky, red and northern spring salamanders. Although I haven’t found them in Carbon County, neighboring Monroe County has revealed a few longtail salamanders. I’m sure I just haven’t stumbled on them here yet. One salamander found without lifting a stone is the red eft. A damp morning in April or May would be a time to find them on a wooded trail or the forest floor.

Remember that the salamanders I’ve mentioned are lungless salamanders. They breathe through their moist skin. Keeping them out of the dampness or water too long could be lethal.

Also, remember that the “redbacks” have the trick of shaking their bodies until the tail snaps off. It won’t kill them but takes some valuable energy to regenerate it. The last reminder is if you have uncovered one of these salamanders under a rock, don’t put them down and cover them with the rock. Set them close to the rock so they can crawl back under safely.

Two other species of salamanders less commonly found are types of mole salamanders. The beautiful spotted salamander and marbled salamander remain underground most of their lives. If you were out on a rainy spring night you might find one crawling across a road or trail on their way to a vernal pond to lay their eggs. Unlike the “redbacks” and “leadbacks,” mole salamanders breathe with lungs.

So, get out there safely, and whether it is birds, salamanders or the local chipmunk, enjoy and appreciate what we have around us.

Test Your Outdoor Knowledge: True or false, a red eft is the larval form of a red spotted newt.

Last Week’s Trivia Answer: A larch produces cones so it is considered a type of conifer even though it loses it leaves (needles).

Contact Barry Reed at breed71@gmail.com.