Go for a walk and listen for frogs. Can you hear any that peep? Do they sound like ducks quacking or a banjo being plucked? A visit to the naturewatch website can help you identify early spring frog calls. Also, check out our own blog of local frog calls.
There’s another wonderful symphony that begins as soon as the snow melts in spring. Local frogs are looking for mates and a place to lay their eggs to keep life thriving in wetlands. Each kind of frog or toad has its own characteristic call. How many of these early songsters can you listen for this spring? These calls are from the Toronto Zoo’s ‘Adopt a Pond‘ website. It’s also a great source for more information about reptiles and amphibians.
Spring Peeper
Striped Chorus Frog
Wood Frog
Leopard Frog
Pickerel Frog
Americal Toad
To help scientists monitor the presence and abundance of these important ‘indicator species,’ try participating in a Citizen Science program where you report what you’ve heard or seen. A good program for the Peterborough area is ‘Frog Watch Ontario‘.
A super resource for other things to look and listen for in spring is Drew Monkman’s book ‘Nature’s Year in the Kawarthas.’
