Berry Springs Preserve Herps of Texas report, 15Sep2018
After a very dry summer (and no rain in August), Berry Springs Preserve's sloughs had dried up and the main ponds were almost dry. However, there had been 5.1 inches of rain in the first two weeks of September (as per USGS gauge 08105095 Berry Ck at Airport Rd nr Georgetown, TX, http://waterdata.usgs.gov/tx/nwis/uv/?site_no=08105095&PARAmeter_cd=00045), the springs were flowing again, the sloughs had water, and the water level in the main ponds was much higher than even the week before. And, boy, did this bring the frogs and toads a-hoppin' !!
Ten people got to see and/or hear four amphibian species - Rio Grande Leopard Frog (max Call Index = 2), Gulf Coast Toad (max CI = 2), Green Treefrog (max CI = 1), and Western Narrowmouth Toad (aka, Great Plains Narrowmouth Toad, max CI = 3). We also saw several watersnakes (at least one was a Blotched (aka, Plain-bellied) Watersnake) swimming in the ponds.
Mike had set up a white sheet and bright light beforehand, and after amphibian monitoring we got to see some big, green, mayflies and little moths - plus about a thousand other unknown, tiny bugs ! Thank you, Mike.
The monitoring period was 19:40 - 20:55.
Participants were Kathy, Mike, Heike, Carolyn, Keri, Christie (thanks for getting everyone started !), Leona (welcome !), and Alexis & Peter & Linda.
Environmental conditions at the main pond at sunset:
- Air temperature = 74.8 deg F
- Water temperature = 76.8 deg F
- Sky = Mostly cloudy
- Water level = Below average
- Relative humidity at sunset = 74 %
Observations
Photos / Sounds
What
Western Narrow-mouthed Toad (Gastrophryne olivacea)Observer
k_mccormackDescription
Observed during monthly amphibian monitoring. After a very dry summer (and no rain in August), the sloughs had dried up and the main ponds were almost dry. However, there had been 5.1 inches of rain in the first two weeks of September (as per USGS gauge 08105095 Berry Ck at Airport Rd nr Georgetown, TX, http://waterdata.usgs.gov/tx/nwis/uv/?site_no=08105095&PARAmeter_cd=00045), the springs were flowing again, the sloughs had water, and the water level in the main ponds was much higher than even the week before. The Western Narrowmouth Toads (aka, Great Plains Narrowmouth Toads) were mainly calling from upper end of the northern slough. Heard in the -205355 recording at 0:20.
Photos / Sounds
What
Green Treefrog (Hyla cinerea)Observer
k_mccormackDescription
Observed during monthly amphibian monitoring. After a very dry summer (and no rain in August), the sloughs had dried up and the main ponds were almost dry. However, there had been 5.1 inches of rain in the first two weeks of September (as per USGS gauge 08105095 Berry Ck at Airport Rd nr Georgetown, TX, http://waterdata.usgs.gov/tx/nwis/uv/?site_no=08105095&PARAmeter_cd=00045), the springs were flowing again, the sloughs had water, and the water level in the main ponds was much higher than even the week before.
Photos / Sounds
What
Rio Grande Leopard Frog (Lithobates berlandieri)Observer
k_mccormackDescription
Observed during monthly amphibian monitoring. After a very dry summer (and no rain in August), the sloughs had dried up and the main ponds were almost dry. However, there had been 5.1 inches of rain in the first two weeks of September (as per USGS gauge 08105095 Berry Ck at Airport Rd nr Georgetown, TX, http://waterdata.usgs.gov/tx/nwis/uv/?site_no=08105095&PARAmeter_cd=00045), the springs were flowing again, the sloughs had water, and the water level in the main ponds was much higher than even the week before. Calls are kind of faint in -202148 and -205355, but clear and throughout in -203208.
Photos / Sounds
What
Gulf Coast Toad (Incilius nebulifer)Observer
k_mccormackDescription
Observed during monthly amphibian monitoring. After a very dry summer (and no rain in August), the sloughs had dried up and the main ponds were almost dry. However, there had been 5.1 inches of rain in the first two weeks of September (as per USGS gauge 08105095 Berry Ck at Airport Rd nr Georgetown, TX, http://waterdata.usgs.gov/tx/nwis/uv/?site_no=08105095&PARAmeter_cd=00045), the springs were flowing again, the sloughs had water, and the water level in the main ponds was much higher than even the week before. Calls heard at 0:01 - 0:06 and 1:41 - 3:10.
Comments
Here are my recordings Kathy. I will add the Plain-bellied Snake when I can. My computer died so my DSLR images have to wait.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/16594977
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/16595481
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/16595747
Thanks! Enjoyed the evening very much!
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