Berry Springs Preserve Herps of Texas report, 17Jun2017

It was the warmest night so far this year at Berry Springs Preserve, but there was a nice breeze, so it actually didn't feel that bad. We had a great turnout of both people and amphibians. Super teamwork led to photos and/or recordings for all five species observed at the main pond: American Bullfrog (CI = 1), Rio Grande Leopard Frog (CI = 1), Blanchard's Cricket Frog (CI = 3), Gulf Coast Toad (CI = 0), and Green Treefrog (CI = 2). Many thanks to April for sharing some of the photos that she took.
We saw a male and female Orchard Oriole at the parking lot before heading down to the main pond, and we saw swallows, Chimney Swifts, and bats flying over the pond before sunset. We also saw an odd-looking nighthawk flying over the pond - it seemed smaller than the Common Nighthawk, it flew lower and it's flight was not quite as erratic as the Common Nighthawk, and it wasn't calling. The Travis Audubon Society's Rare Bird Alert listed a Lesser Nighthawk siting in Austin on June 11th. More study required........
The monitoring period was 20:35 - 21:50.
Participants were Kathy, Carolyn, Diane & Donna, Marc, April, Jim, Alexis & Peter & Linda, Tonja, Larry, Christi & newcomer Ashley, along with newcomer Sondra. Welcome !
Environmental Conditions at the main pond at sunset:

  • Air temperature = 88.2 deg F
  • Water temperature = 80.4 deg F
  • Sky = No/few clouds
  • Water level = Average
  • Relative humidity at sunset = 45 %
Posted on 18 June, 2017 18:13 by k_mccormack k_mccormack

Observations

Photos / Sounds

What

Rio Grande Leopard Frog (Lithobates berlandieri)

Observer

k_mccormack

Date

June 17, 2017 09:32 PM CDT

Description

Observed during monthly amphibian monitoring. It was a breezy evening, and this affected the quality of some of the recordings. In the -212735 recording, calls are heard at 0:03, 0:07, 0:32, and 0:57. In the -213049 recording, calls are heard at 0:05 - 0:15. In the -213253 recording, calls are heard at 0:16 and 0:29 - 0:38.

Photos / Sounds

What

American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus)

Observer

k_mccormack

Date

June 17, 2017 09:22 PM CDT

Description

Observed during monthly amphibian monitoring.

Photos / Sounds

What

Gulf Coast Toad (Incilius nebulifer)

Observer

k_mccormack

Date

June 17, 2017 09:35 PM CDT

Description

Observed during monthly amphibian monitoring.

Photos / Sounds

What

Green Treefrog (Hyla cinerea)

Observer

k_mccormack

Date

June 17, 2017 08:50 PM CDT

Description

Observed during monthly amphibian monitoring. It was a breezy evening, and this affected the quality of some of the recordings. In the -212735 recording, calls are heard at 0:24 - 0:58. In the -213049 recording, calls are heard at 0:00 - 0:15.

Photos / Sounds

What

Blanchard's Cricket Frog (Acris blanchardi)

Observer

k_mccormack

Date

June 17, 2017 09:23 PM CDT

Description

Observed during monthly amphibian monitoring. It was a breezy evening, and this affected the quality of some of the recordings. In the -212735 recording, calls are heard at 0:00 - 0:24 and 0:37.

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