Berry Springs Preserve Herps of Texas report, 22Aug2020
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.
Five amphibian species were observed: Rio Grande Leopard Frog (Call Index = 1), Green Tree Frog (CI = 3), American Bullfrog (CI = 0), Gulf Coast Toad (CI = 0), and Blanchard's Cricket Frog (CI = 2). Photos and/or sound recordings were obtained for all species.
Common Nighthawk, Yellow-crowned Night Heron, Green Heron, and bats were seen at sunset. About an inch of rain had fallen that morning, but the sloughs and ditch in the pecan orchard were dry, and the entire dam was exposed in the main pond. Had been in moderate drought for the past month.
The monitoring period was 20:00 - 21:45.
Participants were Kathy and Christie.
Environmental conditions at the main ponds at sunset:
Air temperature = 76.1 deg F
Water temperature = 80 deg F
Sky = no/few clouds
Water level = much below average
Relative humidity = 60 %
Observations
Photos / Sounds
What
Rio Grande Leopard Frog (Lithobates berlandieri)Observer
k_mccormackDescription
Observed during monthly amphibian monitoring. About an inch of rain had fallen that morning, but the sloughs and ditch in the pecan orchard were dry, and the entire dam was exposed in the main pond. Had been in moderate drought for the past month.
Photos / Sounds
What
American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus)Observer
k_mccormackDescription
Observed during monthly amphibian monitoring. About an inch of rain had fallen that morning, but the sloughs and ditch in the pecan orchard were dry, and the entire dam was exposed in the main pond. Had been in moderate drought for the past month.
Photos / Sounds
What
Gulf Coast Toad (Incilius nebulifer)Observer
k_mccormackDescription
Observed during monthly amphibian monitoring. About an inch of rain had fallen that morning, but the sloughs and ditch in the pecan orchard were dry, and the entire dam was exposed in the main pond. Had been in moderate drought for the past month. Five of the photos show the two individuals in amplexus.
Photos / Sounds
What
Blanchard's Cricket Frog (Acris blanchardi)Observer
k_mccormackDescription
Observed during monthly amphibian monitoring. About an inch of rain had fallen that morning, but the sloughs and ditch in the pecan orchard were dry, and the entire dam was exposed in the main pond. Had been in moderate drought for the past month. The recording has a Great Blue Heron calling at the end.
Photos / Sounds
What
Green Treefrog (Hyla cinerea)Observer
k_mccormackDescription
Observed during monthly amphibian monitoring. About an inch of rain had fallen that morning, but the sloughs and ditch in the pecan orchard were dry, and the entire dam was exposed in the main pond. Had been in moderate drought for the past month. Heard from the main pond, but recorded from the CR 152 bridge. Both recordings have background engine noise, but the shorter recording is clearer than the longer recording.
Comments
Thanks for keeping up with this! :)
@sambiology - thanks for your support, Sam !
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