Berry Springs Preserve Herps of Texas report, 19Jan2020
Two frog species were seen at Berry Springs Park and Preserve during the first monthly amphibian monitoring of 2020. Four Blanchard's Cricket Frogs (Call Index = 0) were photographed - two at the middle slough springhead, one where the middle slough crosses the trail, and one at the main ponds. At least two American Bullfrogs (CI = 0) were seen in the ditch in the pecan orchard, and Mike got a photo of one of them. It was a cool but clear night, and there had been about half an inch of rain during the previous week.
After the monitoring hour was complete, we got to watch the International Space Station rise in the southwest, go overhead, and then disappear into the earth's shadow in the northeast. Cool !
There was no flow to the pond from the middle slough springhead, but there was more water there than last month. The water level in the main ponds was average.
The monitoring period was 17:55 - 18:55.
Participants were Kathy, Christie, Mike, Diane, Krystal & Mark (welcome !), and Tracy & Mark.
Environmental conditions at the middle slough springhead at sunset:
- Air temperature = 53.6 deg F
- Water temperature = 64 deg F
- Sky = No/few clouds
- Water level = Below Average
- Relative humidity = 41 %