Eastern Shore residents are again gearing up for the annual Great Worcester Herp Search Saturday, May 8. It is then that volunteers will scour county lands to locate and identify reptiles and amphibians.

Sponsored by DLITE, the Coastal Bays Program, Salisbury Zoo, Assateague Coastal Trust, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, and Salisbury University, the search begins at 8 a.m.

A brief pre-hunt training session will feature live turtles, snakes, frogs, and salamanders and explain ways to identify them in the wild. It is free to the public and will be held to prep volunteers for searching the four Worcester County sites chosen this year. Volunteers will split into three groups in the morning to search three parcels. In the afternoon, hardy seekers will check out one large site. Volunteers should bring gloves, boots, and must have a bag lunch.

Last year nearly 200 reptiles and amphibians representing 18 species were the result of the search held in northern Worcester County. Marbled salamanders, a ribbon snake, a spadefoot toad, and mud turtle were among last year's rare findings.

On the shore, there are approximately 62 species of reptiles and amphibians. The search will provide data to help scientists better understand population trends in this declining group of vertebrates.

For meeting times, locations, call or email Dave Wilson at 410-213-2297 or dlitedirector@comcast.net. Click here for last year's results.