Berry Springs Preserve Herps of Texas report, 17Oct2020

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there was no group outing to Berry Springs Park and Preserve again this month. However, two people wearing face masks checked on the amphibians while staying at least six feet apart from each other at (almost) all times.
Three amphibian species were observed: Rio Grande Leopard Frog (Call Index = 0), American Bullfrog (CI = 0), and Gulf Coast Toad (CI = 0). Photos were obtained for all three species.
When we arrived at the upper parking lot, a falconer was training a beautiful juvenile Red-tailed Hawk - what a nice way to start the night ! Several deer and a bat were seen at sunset on the walk out to the middle slough springhead - after a month of no rain, however, it was dry. The water level in the main ponds was below average. Mars, Saturn, and Jupiter were putting on a good display.
The monitoring period was 19:00 - 20:30.
Participants were Kathy and Carolyn.
Environmental conditions at the main ponds an hour after sunset:
Air temperature = 69.8 deg F
Water temperature = 68 deg F
Sky = no/few clouds
Water level = below average
Relative humidity = 74 %

Posted on 18 October, 2020 19:30 by k_mccormack