Berry Springs Preserve Herps of Texas report, 20May2017

According to the nearby USGS gauge on Berry Creek at Airport Road (08105095), there had been 1.05 inches of rain in the last 24 hours, but the weather was great for the 14 people who came out to look and listen for frogs and toads at Berry Springs Preserve. We observed five species at the main pond: American Bullfrog (CI = 2), Rio Grande Leopard Frog (CI = 1), Blanchard's Cricket Frog (CI = 3), Gulf Coast Toad (CI = 0), and Green Treefrog (CI = 1). Many thanks to Amy for providing two recordings, especially of the bullfrogs. In spite of the rain earlier in the day, the wet-weather pond north of the improved campground was dry.
Just like last month, a couple of juvenile mammals (river otters ?, beavers ?, nutria ?) were seen at sunset swimming in the water where the nearby (northern-most) slough enters the main pond. We also saw swallows (probably Cliff Swallows) and at least one bat over the main pond before sunset, and several folks heard both a Barred Owl and a Great Horned Owl after sunset.
The monitoring period was 20:20 - 21:20.
Participants were Kathy, Lori, Amy & Mike, Heike, Carolyn, Randy & Sandra, and Nikki, along with newcomers Keri, Linda & Ron, and Alexis & Peter. Welcome !
Environmental Conditions at the main pond at sunset:

• Air temperature = 78.3 deg F
• Water temperature = 76.0 deg F
• Sky = No/few clouds
• Water level = Above Average
• Relative humidity at sunset = 58 %

由使用者 k_mccormack 在 2017年05月21日 22:18 所貼文