11 June 2025

Suggestions: Upcoming Eastern US Trip

Hello,

I am about to go on a “bio-blitz” road trip from Long Island, NY through southern NJ, Delaware, VA to the Smokies region and ending in coastal NC. The trip will only be 9 days but it should be enough time to get a few key species. While we are targeting many taxa groups there are several mammals I am hoping to get. My targets list is:

Red Wolf

Appalachian Cottontail

Southern Flying Squirrel

Allegheny Woodrat

Golden Mouse

Southern Short-tailed Shrew

Masked Shrew

Hairy-tailed Mole

Woodland Vole

Evening Bat

Eastern Small-footed Myotis

Southeastern Myotis

Gray Bat

Rafinesque’s Big-eared Bat

I have some places already for some of these thanks to past posts here, but I wanted to see if anyone has been in any of these areas and has either suggestions or connections to see these species. Bat roosts would be especially helpful; I will be using red lights and sanitizing my footwear between caves. Please feel free to DM me or email me at zachary14@me.com.

Thank you in advance for any suggestions.

  • Zac
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Post author

Zac Babbit
I am a life long naturalist and lister. I am interested in all faunal groups and some select floral groups. Especially interested in small carnivores, bats, and other under appreciated mammals.
Post Views: 266

5 Comments

  • 11 June 2025
    Vladimir Dinets

    There’s currently a lot of woodland voles (and some S bog lemmings) in the area behind Calno School in Delaware Water Gap NRA (bring mosquito spray). A great place for hairy-tailed moles is Albany Pine Bush Preserve but it’s a bit off your route it seems.

    1
  • 12 June 2025
    Jacob Zinn

    Why start on Long Island? You could probably skip this locale for these target species.

    • 12 June 2025
      Zac Babbit

      I live on LI, however Ill be making the first stop in the southern NJ Pine barrens for Pine Barrens Tree Frog and Northern Pine Snake

      • 16 June 2025
        wildlife_watcher

        The pine snake is hard to find, would require a lot of luck or local help, potentially both. Salamander species might be worth considering in NC/TN. I wouldn’t look for the flying squirrel on your trip since you can find those close to home.

  • 25 June 2025
    wildlife_watcher

    I’m not sure when you’re coming but can I make a suggestion that you might have as much fun north as going south? In Pittsburg NH or Unbagog lake (better ime) easy access to Moose. If you’re near the Quabbin in MA I could show you some bear trails. Walking those trails (about 1.5 mi) you would likely find black bear at close range as they walk and bed along the trails and sometimes moose or bobcat are encountered. All of these east coast things involve starting early AM.

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