Signs of Spring
I usually mark the coming of spring with the first woodcock, the first morning cardinals and robins, the first woodland flowers, orange-throated darters and the first chorus frog chorus.
This pond dries up every year---no fish
Back in my early teaching years we would venture to a nearby pond that only held water in the early spring to collect frog eggs. I haven’t looked for eggs for awhile and I was a bit late, this year. This Sunday I did some wet wading and found some eggs in a pond that is dry most of the year.
Chorus frog eggs
- Leech from wet wading
Maybe it is too late for this year but for next year you could get a permit from KDWP and collect a group of eggs to raise in class.
About to hatch
Here’s a great web site from Greg and Lynnette Sievert from ESU with recordings and tons of photos of developing Kansas frogs and toads–a great resource.
Here are a couple of video clips of a pond where chorus frogs are calling. I took these videos on March 29, 2002. Find your own pond and try to find just one frog among the chorus!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voqqsPpWPLI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjSYVErsts4
Much appreciated post Brad. Chorus Frogs are certainly a sign of spring. I would add ringneck snake musk to the list.
I have a batch of American Toad, Plains Leopard Frog, and Chorus Frog tadpoles developing in class right now. With a good source of algae the grow quite quickly.
I always know spring has sprung, when I see blue wing teal on ponds. They are the first to migrate through in the fall, and the last to migrate back north in the spring, the wimps of ducks if you will. It will stay warm when you see blue wing teal.