On Friday, February 10, the Macnamara Field Naturalists’ Club attended a Mudpuppy Night event at Oxford Mills. The event was very successful as over 20 people attended, including 5 young folks. The event was led by Aleta Karstad and Fred Schueler who provided a very informative description of the mudpuppy, Necturus maculosus, our largest salamander. The mudpuppy lives an entirely aquatic lifestyle in the eastern part of North America in lakes, rivers, and ponds. Aleta and Fred guided the group to the edge of the Kempville Creek where we saw them in their natural environment. At the end of the evening, the group relocated itself to the Brigadoon Pub where the mudpuppy discussion continued in the company of hot chocolate and other beverages.

text and photos by John McEwen