Amphibian Watch - Just before the Storms

Eight youth, 4 JMN, 2 scouts, and 2 family members , and 8 adults participated in the Junior Master Naturalist Amphibian Watch field trip at Berry Springs Park and Preserve on April 13, 2018.

We observed a Great Egret flying over the meadow/prairie as we headed down to the pond. The Great Blue Heron was feeding at the far side of the pond and kept us entertained with regular squawks. Three Yellow-crowned Night Herons flew over, but did not land near us. We also saw a number of other birds including a Red-Shouldered Hawk.

The amphibians did show up and we were able to document a number of observations. A few amphibians "got away." perhaps due to over-enthusiasm early on. Some of our "catches" were on the way back to the parking lot and we were disappointed we had to take shelter from the impending storm.

Air Temperature: 80 F at 7:30 PM when we started and 77 F at 8:35 when we stopped.
Sky: Overcast
Wind: B-3 initially
Water Level: Average

Observed Blanchard's Cricket Frog , CI - 3
Rio Grande Leopard Frog, Cl - 1 (unrecorded)
Gulf Coast Toad, CI - 0

One American Bullfrog escaped the net and photo. We heard no calls from the bullfrog.

We "called" the watch due to lightning ahead of a cold front.

Posted on 14 April, 2018 05:17 by alflinn329