The spring crickets are calling and some fire flies are showing off! These are not the same crickets we will hear ion the dog days of summer, those ones are the fall variety. I like to come visit the FW sites after a good soaking because the rain brings out the frogs. It was a pleasant surprise to hear several toads singing and the green frogs were having a dispute nearby. The Spring peepers have called it quits at the Watershed Center, curious if they have wrapped it up elsewhere.
Although some places had a significant amount of rain last night, we still running a deficit and the smaller Frogwatch sites are showing evidence of this. Both monitoring sites at Bradley Woods have all but dried up with a spongy detritus lined bottom. After a day in the 80’s and a visit temp of around 70 degrees, I figured the rain soaked visit would be more productive… I did see some large male and female Bullfrogs at the lakes edge along with some Green frogs and 2 American toads. The American toads were not calling and only 1 Green frog gave it’s distinctive plunk. On the Western side of the pond, I was welcomed with a Green frog’s alarm call!
Bullfrog in pond
Bullfrog under leaf
Bullfrog swimming
Juvinile Green Frog
Cleveland Metroparks naturalist Mark Warman conducted a Frogwatch survey at Bradley Woods this past Thursday on May 7th. We were greeted at the first survey site by a racoon looking for diner, and probably the subject of our survey! On the approach, Mark spotted the first amphibian, an American Toad. The site was home to several juvenile Green Frogs and American Toads and Spring Peepers could be calling from other locations. Nothing was calling at either Bradley Woods location but there was activity at the main lagoon. American Toads were tuning up, some distant Spring Peepers and a Green frog made his presence known. On the pond edge was several Bullfrogs of good size, but they didn’t say much. Several American toad satellite males were approaching a broadcasting male and clasped onto each other for a brief moment and I was able to record a release call. The male being clasped issues this call along with a vibration that triggers the other male to release it’s hold due to mistaken identity. While we were observing the toads, we heard a very soft grating sound coming from several locations near the ponds edge. Upon closer inspection, Mark noticed a small catfish moving under the leaf litter. I have heard catfish make sounds when captured, but never in the field! Here’s a recording of what we observed.
I often see toads taking this unique upright posture when I come across them. They seem to know where they want to go and I wonder how much sensory clues help them get there, or do they just follow the noise from the party?
American Toad in the parking lot at West Creek
I really love heading out after a good soaking! This is the second week of the season and the Leopard Frogs and American Toads have just started tuning up. Last week the Leopards were migrating to the calling sites and were jumping all around. They seem to have settled into the breeding sites as I didn’t see any but heard quite a few at Vaughn and Brecksville Station. Toads were everywhere at all the locations I visited and calling at Vaughn Road and West Creek. The Chorus were calling strong, but the Spring Peepers volume almost drown them out. Wood frogs were still calling at Vaughn along with Peepers, Leopards and a few American Toads. West Creak has Toads starting and Green frogs hanging out at the monitoring site. Peepers are calling strong from the Western ponds. Brecksville Station had Peepers and some Leopards. A nice size snapper and a Muskrat were hanging out and gave some diversity along with the DeKays Snake, Green and Bullfrogs. Hopefully I’ll get some audio up this weekend.
This little Redback Salamander was making it’s way along the Brecksville Station FW site.
I was surprised to see this American Toad crawling on top of a log as I headed down to the FW site.
Dorsal view showing the Green Frog’s distinct dorsal folds, they are absent in Bullfrogs.
This dorsal view of a Juvinile Bullfrog is in contrast to the Green frog’s, note the lack of dorsal folds.
An American Toad just hanging out in the parking lot while some males were tuning up in the survey site pond.
I’m sure this little DeKays snake found plenty of good worms to eat as the trails were very wet from the days rain.
American Toad
Green Frog
Spring Peeper
Wood Frog
2 lined Salamander
Juvenile Bullfrog
Green Frog trying to blend in
Redback Salamander
Leopard Frog
Pickerel Frog
First Frog Watch survey of the season! Lots of things moving about, good to hear Chorus frogs in the CVNP site. Last year I didn’t hear many at all and they are on a noted decline in the area. A beaver wasn’t happy with me meandering around his pond and tried to startle me with a strong tail splash. I found all but 2 of the Metropark species, missing the Chorus Frog and Gray Treefrog.
Here is a VERY short video from the 26th, of a Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) in a rush to hide from my presence!
After a good all day soaking, the second wave of salamanders started migrating. The first wave on 03-18-2014 was all Jefferson Salamanders. The second wave on 04-03-2014 was mainly Spotted Salamanders. In between was freezing temperatures and a good 8″ inches of snow total.
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