View from Russian Ridge Preserve to Mindego Hill by Karl Gohl

Watch your step!

As the winter rains begin, newts are on the move in many of our preserves.   After spending the summer and fall burrowed away, they are working their way back to the ponds, streams and lakes where they were born.  You may see them crossing the trail, but they don’t need your assistance, other than for you to watch out where you walk or ride.  At the creeks and ponds you may start to see breeding behavior and egg masses.  Some places to observe newts in action include:  Sausal Pond at Windy Hill OSP, Alpine Pond and Horseshoe Lake at Skyline Ridge OSP, Stevens Creek Nature Trail and Lori's Pond at Monte Bello OSP, and Purisima Creek in Purisima Creek Redwoods OSP.