k_mccormack 的日誌

Twelve people participated in the monthly amphibian monitoring at Berry Springs Preserve and were rewarded with five species (with photos and/or recordings) in the nearby slough and main pond: American Bullfrog (CI = 1), Rio Grande Leopard Frog (CI = 2), Blanchard's Cricket Frog (CI = 3), Gulf Coast Toad (CI = 3), and Green Treefrog (CI = 2). Many thanks to Hunter for providing the photo of the bullfrog.
A possible new species (no photos or recordings, though) may have also been observed at the wet weather pond north of the improved campground: Upland Chorus Frog (CI = 1). We heard the distinct "thumb running up the teeth of a comb" call just once. There was just a little bit of water in the depression, and it was surrounded by low vegetation and grass. They mostly call during the winter months (like the Strecker's Chorus Frog), so we probably won't heard them next month. More study required !
At least one adult and five juvenile mammals (river otters ?, beavers ?, nutria ?) were seen at sunset in the water where the nearby slough enters the main pond. We also saw newly-arrived Scissor-tailed Flycatchers, a Red-tailed Hawk, two Yellow-crowned Night Herons, and bats before sunset, heard a newly-arrived Summer Tanager before sunset, heard a Barred Owl after sunset, and saw a scorpion at the lower pavilion after sunset.
The monitoring period was 20:00 - 21:45.
Participants were Kathy, Lori (welcome !), April (welcome !), Jim, Hunter, Amy & Mike, Marc, Larry & Levi, Sue, and Heike.
Environmental Conditions at the main pond at sunset:

• Air temperature = 73.0 deg F
• Water temperature = 72.0 deg F
• Sky = No/few clouds
• Water level = Average
• Relative humidity at sunset = 58 %

Eight people braved a cold and windy evening to explore the City of Georgetown's not-yet-open-to-the-public Garey Park in search of frogs and toads. The strong, dry cold front that swept through the area earlier in the day created less than perfect conditions for both the humans and the amphibians, but we checked out the tank at the south end of the property, the South Fork of the San Gabriel River at the north end of the property, and the two ponds near the house, and we observed Blanchard's Cricket Frog (CI = 2) in all three locations. We also saw newly-emerged dragonflies along the edge of the ponds, and heard Chick-will's-widows and Wild Turkeys.
The monitoring period was 19:15 - 20:45.
Participants were Kathy, Hunter & Tonja, Amy, Carolyn, Christie, and Randy & Sandra.
Environmental Conditions at the lower pond at sunset:

• Air temperature = 59.2 deg F
• Water temperature = 70.0 deg F
• Sky = Mostly cloudy
• Water level = Average
• Relative humidity at sunset = 48 %