Berry Springs Preserve Herps of Texas report, 13May2020
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.
Four amphibian species were observed: Rio Grande Leopard Frog (Call Index = 2), Gulf Coast Toad (CI = 1), Green Tree Frog (CI = 3), and Blanchard's Cricket Frog (CI = 3). Before monitoring began, we were also treated to two young armadillos in the grass near the park's entrance kiosk.
There was still no flow to the pond from the middle slough springhead, and even with the inch of rain received two days before monitoring, there seemed to be less water there than last month. However, the water level in the main ponds was average.
The birds in the park were quite evident this month - several were seen before sunset (e.g., Eastern Kingbird, Common Nighthawk, and Eastern Bluebird), several were heard before sunset (e.g., Summer Tanager, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, and Great Crested Flycatcher), and several were heard after sunset (e.g., Chuck-will's-widow and Barred Owl).
The monitoring period was 20:00 - 21:30.
Participants were Kathy and Amy.
Environmental conditions at the middle slough springhead at sunset:
- Air temperature = 76.5 deg F
- Water temperature = 70.5 deg F
- Sky = mostly cloudy
- Water level = below average
- Relative humidity = 58 %
Observations
Photos / Sounds
What
Nine-banded Armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus)Observer
k_mccormackDescription
Nine-banded Armadillo
in mowed grass at edge of historic pecan orchard
Williamson County
observed May 13, 2020, 18:47
two juveniles
Photos / Sounds
What
Rio Grande Leopard Frog (Lithobates berlandieri)Observer
k_mccormackDescription
Individuals heard at the main ponds and seen at the ditch in the pecan orchard.
Photos / Sounds
What
Green Treefrog (Hyla cinerea)Observer
k_mccormackDescription
Individuals heard at the main ponds and the ditch in the pecan orchard.
Photos / Sounds
What
Blanchard's Cricket Frog (Acris blanchardi)Observer
k_mccormackDescription
Individuals heard at the main ponds and the ditch in the pecan orchard.
Photos / Sounds
What
Gulf Coast Toad (Incilius nebulifer)Observer
k_mccormackDescription
One individual seen on sidewalk near parking lot.
Comments
Any ideas as to why "There was still no flow to the pond from the middle slough springhead, and even with the inch of rain received two days before monitoring, there seemed to be less water there than last month"?
I believe that, because the weather had been dry for the last month, the middle slough spring had not been producing much water, so the water level in the nearby outflow area was less than last month. The inch of rain that we had two days before monitoring was absorbed by the soil (the ground was still somewhat dry when we were there) and did not recharge the local groundwater. Thus, the local water table was still not high enough to produce much flow from the middle slough spring.
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