Hauken, James 1975 Journal Hastings Reservation, Carmel Valley, Monterey Co, Calif 28 Feb Worked all three creeks on reservation except Bigle. above HQ in search of Taricha. Reports last fall had newts DOR after heavy rains, indicating that they were active at least at that time. No newts were found today in any of the creeks. They wouldn't be expected to be found in swift water, but even slow moving parts or standing pools in the stream bed were void of newts. Examination was mostly limited to looking down while walking in the stream, but occasionally partially submerged rocks were overturned. Three F's were found under logs within 20' of Frias Creek near the lower bridge (see maps). They appeared gravid (swollen abdomen) and one had a granular integument with slightly dorsally keeled tail. I am tempted to say that newts aren't breeding in the streams (not even cannae were found), but these records and the large amount of other records from along the roads by the creeks suggest that newts are breeding here. Could this be just an abnormally late season due to the late and infrequent rains? Or do they actually pass the streams in favor of other water off of the