Berry Springs Preserve Herps of Texas report, 25Feb2021

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.
Two amphibian species were observed, Rio Grande Leopard Frog (CI = 2 max; my recordings are only CI = 1) and American Bullfrog (CI = 0). Rio Grande Leopard Frogs were heard at the middle slough springhead, the slough by the playground, and the ditch in the pecan orchard. The American Bullfrog was seen in the slough by the playground.
Monitoring took place a week after the historic Winter Storm Uri which included more than a week of temperatures that never rose above freezing, two nights in the single digits, and sleet, freezing rain, snow, freezing fog, and more freezing rain.
The puddle at the middle slough springhead was about the same size as last month, the slough by the playground had water in it, and the water level in the main ponds was average. We heard a very close pack of coyotes calling at the end of the monitoring period from the other side of Berry Creek.
The monitoring period was 18:25 - 19:40.
Participants were Kathy and Amy.
Environmental conditions at the middle slough springhead at sunset:
Air temperature = 50.4 deg F
Water temperature = 60 deg F
Sky = currently raining (fog/mist/drizzle)
Water level = below average at springhead, average at main ponds
Relative humidity = 83 %

Posted on February 27, 2021 02:30 AM by k_mccormack