72 Microseasons of the Pacific Northwest

Late February through early March brings the annual migration of roughskin newts (Taricha granulosa) to breeding ponds and wetlands across the Pacific Northwest. These terrestrial salamanders emerge from their forest floor hideaways during the first warm, wet nights of late winter, sometimes traveling over a mile to reach ancestral breeding sites. Watch for these orange-bellied amphibians crossing roads, trails, and forest paths, especially after rain when temperatures exceed 45°F. Males develop smooth skin and a laterally compressed tail for swimming, while females retain their rough, granular skin texture. Roughskin newts are among North America's most toxic amphibians, producing tetrodotoxin (the same toxin found in pufferfish) as a defense against predators, making them fascinating but dangerous to handle.

WDFW typically approves a major razor clam dig series starting around February 26 on Washington ocean beaches (Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks)—a beloved early-spring coastal tradition. Spring Chinook numbers build in the lower Columbia, and nettles with miner's lettuce remain at peak quality in PNW lowlands before temperatures climb.