Berry Springs Preserve Herps of Texas report, 26Apr2021

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 all times.
Three amphibian species were observed in the slough by the playground, the main ponds, and the ditch in the pecan orchard: Rio Grande Leopard Frog (CI = 2), Blanchard's Cricket Frog (CI = 3), and Gulf Coast Toad (CI = 1).
The puddle at the middle slough springhead was smaller than last month's puddle, and the water level was average in the slough by the playground and main ponds. According to the USGS gauge station at Berry Creek at Airport Rd near Georgetown, TX (https://waterdata.usgs.gov/tx/nwis/uv/?site_no=08105095&PARAmeter_cd=00045), there had been 0.3 inches of rain three days before our monitoring.
The monitoring period was 19:45 - 20:45.
Participants were Kathy and Christie.
Environmental conditions at the middle slough springhead at sunset:
Air temperature = 74.8 deg F
Water temperature = 68.6 deg F
Sky = mostly cloudy
Water level = below average at springhead, average at main ponds
Relative humidity = 45 %

Posted on 27 April, 2021 22:27 by k_mccormack k_mccormack

Observations

Photos / Sounds

What

Rio Grande Leopard Frog (Lithobates berlandieri)

Observer

k_mccormack

Date

April 26, 2021 08:17 PM CDT

Description

Observed during monthly amphibian monitoring. There had been 0.3" of rain three days earlier according to a nearby USGS gauge station (https://waterdata.usgs.gov/tx/nwis/uv/?site_no=08105095&PARAmeter_cd=00045), but the area was still in moderate drought as per the U.S. Drought Monitor (https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/). In the 00:54 recording file, calls are heard at 00:28 and 00:51; in the 00:57 recording file, calls are heard throughout; in the 00:40 recording file, a call is heard at 00:12.

Photos / Sounds

What

Gulf Coast Toad (Incilius nebulifer)

Observer

k_mccormack

Date

April 26, 2021 08:29 PM CDT

Description

Observed during monthly amphibian monitoring. There had been 0.3" of rain three days earlier according to a nearby USGS gauge station (https://waterdata.usgs.gov/tx/nwis/uv/?site_no=08105095&PARAmeter_cd=00045), but the area was still in moderate drought as per the U.S. Drought Monitor (https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/).

Photos / Sounds

What

Blanchard's Cricket Frog (Acris blanchardi)

Observer

k_mccormack

Date

April 26, 2021 08:41 PM CDT

Description

Observed during monthly amphibian monitoring. There had been 0.3" of rain three days earlier according to a nearby USGS gauge station (https://waterdata.usgs.gov/tx/nwis/uv/?site_no=08105095&PARAmeter_cd=00045), but the area was still in moderate drought as per the U.S. Drought Monitor (https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/).

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