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2021 Southeastern colorado bash

The story of CO PARC's 2021 SE CO bash begins at the Vogel Canyon Picnic Area. Ever since it was constructed, this location has been a commune for the herp enthused. Many spectacular (and just as many not so spectacular) days of herping have began and ended at this exact location. In very little time, the sleepy parking lot filled up with passionate folks who only had one goal in mind, that being finding herps! After an introductory speech by our co-chair, Hunter Johnson, the parking lot emptied once again, as the CO PARC crew took to the roads to see what the night had in store! Conditions on this night gave the group a fantastic chance to observe an amazing display of diversity. Some areas stayed dry, allowing herpers to search for many of the snakes that are endemic to the area. Other parts saw heavy rains, which summoned a hoard of toads and salamanders! Overall, the conditions were such that just about any nocturnal amphibian or reptile in the region was up for grabs!

The first night of road cruising may be one of the most epic displays of amphibian and reptile diversity witnessed in this area in recent years. As was previously stated, climatic conditions on this night allowed for some areas to be surveyed for amphibians, while other areas produced mostly reptiles. CO PARC collectively recorded 110 observations of 22 species on the first day of the survey. Frankly, these are astounding numbers, as most of the group didn't begin recording finds until after the sun had already gone down for the night! Finds on this night ranged from species as common as Prairie Rattlesnakes or Woodhouse's Toads to some species as rare and sought after as Speckled Kingsnakes, Green Toads, or Longnose Snakes. 
Speckled Kingsnakes are one of Colorado's least encountered (and most sought-after) snake species. This juvenile was found crossing a road by Hayden Lewis and Miles Ward. Photo by Hayden Lewis
An adult Tiger Salamander, who was found crossing a wet road through the grasslands. This species can be found in every county in Colorado. Found by Graham Zephirin
Long-nosed Snakes are an uncommon and strikingly beautiful species found exclusively in southeastern Colorado. This individual was found by Dan LaFaro
A Red-spotted Toad that was found enjoying the moisture left behind by a massive thunderstorm that moved through the area just as the sun went down. This species is uncommon in Colorado. Found by Graham Zephirin
Miles Ward holds up a Western Coachwhip, who was found crossing a road shortly before sunset
A Green Toad found enjoying a rainy night by Graham Zephirin
A Chihuahuan Night Snake. Photo by Miles Ward
A Couch's Spadefoot, which was found by Graham Zephirin
A Great Plains Rat Snake. This is yet another one of the uncommon snakes that were found on the first night of the survey. Photo by Miles Ward
Full observation list for day one

CO PARC's co-chair, Hunter Johnson, briefs the group on the goals for the hike. Photo by Sean McMullen
Hunter Johnson and Graham Zephirin discuss the hike ahead of them. Photo by Sean McMullen
A group of herpers move through a beautiful SE CO landscape. Photo by Sean McMullen
Blackneck Garter Snakes can be a tricky species to locate in Colorado. Luckily enough, this neonate was found moving along the canyon bottom. Found and photographed by Graham Zephirin
The group works its way through some riparian habitat. Photo by Sean McMullen
Graham Zephirin holds a striking Ground Snake. Photo by Sean McMullen
A group of herpers enjoy an awesome find. Photo by Sean McMullen
Luke Pearson and Emily Macklin with a Ground Snake. Photo by Sean McMullen
A Prairie Lizard basks on a rock. Photo by Graham Zephirin
Remi Pattyn and Dan LaFaro pose with a cicada. Photo by Sean McMullen
A group gathers around a Bullsnake. Photo by Graham Zephirin
Hunter Johnson talks about a Bullsnake, who was found on the crawl. Photo by Graham Zephirin
After a long and extremely productive night of road cruising, the group woke up early and returned to Vogel Canyon Picnic Area for the first hike of the survey. With the hike beginning at 7:30 AM, one would assume that attendance would be low, as herpers rested up after a late night of road cruising. However, attendance at this hike was great and a large group of Colorado's herp faithful made it out to look for the reptiles and amphibians that call the canyons of southeastern Colorado home. Once again, the group was able to turn up and document a number of different herps on this hike, many of which had not yet been documented on this particular survey. Additionally, this hike was a great opportunity for everyone to get together and make some new friends! Bringing people together to share a love for reptiles and amphibians is what CO PARC is all about! 

After the hike, most of the group returned to town to stock up on supplies, find a bite to eat, and rest up before another great night of road cruising. An adventurous (and not to mention tireless) few set out to find some of southeastern Colorado's river denizens. While most of SE CO consists of barren grasslands, river corridors hold a few species that cannot be found anywhere else.
The group makes its way up a wide stretch of river. Photo by Sean McMullen
A small group searches for Softshell Turtles and Water Snakes. Photo by Hunter Johnson
Max Soell with the only ranid endemic to the area, the Plains Leopard Frog. Photo by Hunter Johnson
An in-situ Northern Water Snake. These snakes have a restricted range in Colorado, but can be fairly abundant in the right area. Found and photographed by Sean McMullen
A Plains Leopard Frog. Found and photographed by Remi Pattyn.

The crowned jewel of southeastern Colorado: a Speckled Kingsnake. This individual was particularly striking. Photo by Anthony Berardi
A Western Hognose Snake who was found crossing a road as the sun began to set. Found and photographed by Graham Zephirin
Nothing makes people happy like a Western Hognose Snake!
A crowd of people gather to have a look at a Western Hognose Snake
An ominous storm looms over a lonely road. Photo by Miles Ward
A female Couch's Spadefoot. This species exhibits sexual dimorphism, with females being black and yellow and males being green in coloration. Photo by Graham Zephirin
A thunderstorm brings rain and amphibians to the roads of southeastern Colorado. Photo by Sean McMullen
A New Mexico Spadefoot Toad who was found enjoying a damp road after a thunderstorm. This species was observed more than any other on this survey. Photo by Graham Zephirin
Kansas Glossy Snakes are one of the most commonly encountered snakes in southeastern Colorado. Photo by Graham Zephirin
A Plains Blackhead Snake. This is a fossorial species that rarely ventures out from underground. Luckily enough, an abundance of moisture brought these snakes out to forage for centipedes, which are their preferred food. Photo by Graham Zephirin
Full observation list for day two
After sleeping the midday away, the CO PARC group met back at Vogel Canyon to kick off another night of road cruising. While everyone was enjoying each other's company, late-comer Graham Zephirin found a particularly attractive Western Hognose Snake crossing a road as he went to meet up with the rest of the group. Western Hognose Snakes are one of the most charismatic species of snake that Colorado has to offer and pretty soon a traffic jam of herpers and their vehicles met on the lonely road, as folks gathered to take a look at the snake. After this, the group took to the roads once again. To the west, an ominous storm made its way across the Great Plains. Conditions were similar to the first night. Initially, the roads stayed dry and a number of different snake species were documented as they made their way across the road. As the night progressed, isolated thunderstorms moved through the area. Once again, this allowed the group to observe, enjoy, and document the wonderful amphibian diversity that exists in southeastern Colorado. Overall, the second day of the 2021 CO PARC Southeastern Colorado Bash saw 33 species of reptiles and amphibians being documented on 153 observations. For perspective, that is over 71% of the total species count for this region of the state.

The final morning of the 2021 CO PARC Southeastern Colorado Bash was fairly dismal as far as reptiles and amphibians go. By this point in the survey, the group was spent. Staying up all night takes a big toll! Still, the group spent the morning together enjoying each other's company. From all of us at CO PARC, thank you to everyone who made it to the survey. Together, we documented 297 individuals. 37 different species were found, meaning that the group effectively documented over 75% of this area's total herp diversity in less than three days.​ Linked below is a YouTube video cataloging the survey from one attendee's perspective.
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The CO PARC group gets together for a group photo just before leaving for home.
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Visit our parent organization, Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC), for more information on national conservation efforts and other regional groups.
​This website and any products posted herein are  officially recognized by the national entity, Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC), as the efforts of an approved PARC chapter.


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        • 2021 Southeastern Colorado Bash
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