The signs of spring are popping up everywhere and love is in the air. The listserves are full of First of the Year (FOY) sightings. We got two easy new species, common grackle and killdeer, without any particular effort. Just had to be outside. Common species but they spell the end of winter. A bunch more should be falling in shortly too.
Last Tuesday we had a warm evening with rain. I went out hoping to find a salamander migration. Apparently the first warm wet nights in March salamanders migrate to any available pond for a big mating party. Even if the pond still has ice in it. This is the party of the year in the salamander world. I didn’t see any salamanders but I did get barred owls whooping and hollering. Given the unseasonably warm weather I may have already missed the big salamander event.
Last night I went over to our friend Barb’s wetland to take some frog pictures. And hopefully see some salamanders. Couldn’t get a much better night. Warm enough to be comfortable, not so warm you suffered in waders, and lots of frogs. The sound was absolutely deafening. There was so much noise that I had a hard time picking out individuals from the background cacophony. Masses of boy frogs throwing out the frog version of “yo babe, wanna get lucky?” A bit of a buyer’s market though. Something like when the fleet comes in. The ladies have a lot to pick from so the boys need to do something to set them apart from the rest of the sailors. I guess it’s all in the call.
Hey babyyyyy, hey babyyyyy!!!!
Ed's and Lise's Biggish Years 