Berry Springs Preserve Herps of Texas report, 22Jun2021

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there was no group outing to Berry Springs Park and Preserve this month. However, two people checked on the amphibians.
Six amphibian species were observed in the middle slough springhead, the slough by the playground, the main ponds, the ditch in the pecan orchard, and somewhere to the north and east of the main restrooms: Rio Grande Leopard Frog (CI = 1), Blanchard's Cricket Frog (CI = 2), Gulf Coast Toad (CI = 2), Western Narrow-mouthed Toad (CI = 2), Green Tree Frog (CI = 2), and American Bullfrog (CI = 0). Photos and/or recordings were obtained for all species except the Gulf Coast Toad and American Bullfrog. We watched as a Green Tree Frog that had been calling from a 30-foot high pecan branch leaped out into thin air and landed safely in the grass at our feet - he was on his way to join the fun in the ditch. Amazing !
The puddle at the middle slough springhead about the same size as last month (no flow to the main ponds), 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 2.71 inches of rain the night before our monitoring.
A cute little armadillo was seen near the park entrance about half an hour before sunset. The monitoring period was 20:30 - 21:30.
Participants were Kathy and Christie.
Environmental conditions at the middle slough springhead at sunset:
Air temperature = 76.1 deg F
Water temperature = 68.4 deg F
Sky = no/few clouds
Water level = below average at springhead, average at main ponds
Relative humidity = 69 %

Posted on June 23, 2021 08:05 PM by k_mccormack k_mccormack

Observations

Photos / Sounds

What

Nine-banded Armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus)

Observer

k_mccormack

Date

June 22, 2021 08:03 PM CDT

Description

Nine-banded Armadillo
in county park along park road between historic pecan orchard and improved campground
Williamson County
observed June 22, 2021, 20:03

Tags

Photos / Sounds

What

Western Narrow-mouthed Toad (Gastrophryne olivacea)

Observer

k_mccormack

Date

June 22, 2021 08:47 PM CDT

Description

Observed during monthly amphibian monitoring. The 0:25 recording is from this location; the 1:01 recording is from the middle slough springhead.
There had been 2.71 inches of rain the night before.

Tags

Photos / Sounds

What

Rio Grande Leopard Frog (Lithobates berlandieri)

Observer

k_mccormack

Date

June 22, 2021 09:01 PM CDT

Description

Observed during monthly amphibian monitoring. Calls heard at 0:47 - 0:54 in the 1:13 recording. There had been 2.71 inches of rain the night before.

Tags

Photos / Sounds

What

Blanchard's Cricket Frog (Acris blanchardi)

Observer

k_mccormack

Date

June 22, 2021 09:01 PM CDT

Description

Observed during monthly amphibian monitoring. Calls heard at 0:51 - 1:13 in the 1:13 recording. There had been 2.71 inches of rain the night before.

Tags

Photos / Sounds

What

Green Treefrog (Hyla cinerea)

Observer

k_mccormack

Date

June 22, 2021 09:20 PM CDT

Description

Observed during monthly amphibian monitoring. Recordings are from this location and the slough by the playground. There had been 2.71 inches of rain the night before.

Tags

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