How to find garters?

[bulrush]

Hi,
I live in wester Michigan. I find garters fairly often in the late spring (late April to early May) which I believe is the breeding season. After that I never see them. After breeding season how do I find garters?

My primary spot is a park with fairly large areas where people do not walk, with a few trails here and there. The park as a river and I have always found garters within 20 feet of the river.

I have tried flipping over logs and pallets I find but never found a snake that way. I always find them in weeds near the river.

Can anyone give me some hints as to how to find them?

Are certain times of day better than others?

[Zephyr]

You definitely want to check and see there's more suitable turf beyond the river. From my observation, garters tend to spread out in a manifest-destiny pattern after emerging from brumation. For easterns, I find early morning, late afternoon and right before sunset work best.

[Sid]

Finding Garters or any other snake after the weather starts to get hot is most productive in the early morning or late evening hours. Hope this helps.

[bulrush]

I thought garters would be out and sunning themselves in the hottest part of the day, when it reaches 85-90F. Is this true?

What temperature do they prefer when they are wandering around? Because I tend to find more when it's 70-75F outside.

[Zephyr]

The easterns around here are rarely active when the temps are over 80.
When it's 60-75 they're out and about. However, I've caught snakes on days when it's in the 50's, but with a lot of sun.