(Story and photos by Tom Hodgson with thanks to the Waterloo Natural History Association.)
The Chelsea area is blessed with hundreds of tiny wetlands that fill with water each spring.
Although it seemed that this winter would never end, it has, and the melt waters from all that snow have brought these habitats to life. Just in the last few days we have been invaded by thousands of trilling, peeping and croaking frogs; each looking for a mate and the opportunity to perpetuate its species.
Frogs, toads and other amphibians are in decline all over the world. The Michigan DNR has been monitoring local populations for nearly 20 years. So far, results have shown that most species are at least stable, with some in decline.
These conclusions have not been drawn from information collected by DNR biologist, but rather from interested citizen scientists like you and me. In fact, comprehensive frog and toad surveys would not be possible without the help of these dedicated volunteers.
Each volunteer is assigned a survey route containing 10 wetland sites, and is asked to drive his or her survey route and visit these sites three times during the spring, when frogs and toads are actively breeding. Most visit their sites once each in April, May and June. Observers listen for calling frogs and toads at each site, identify the species present, and make an estimate of abundance. Volunteers may select sites convenient to their neighborhoods and then check with the DNR survey coordinator to make sure there is no duplication.
Those who are interested in participation should contact DNR biologist Lori Sargent via email at [email protected], or by phone at 517-284-6216.
She is still looking for more volunteers for the current season. Those interested will send detailed information about how to get involved. For those reluctant to strike out on their own, she may be able to recommend an existing team they can join.
Species known to inhabit the Chelsea area include spring peepers, chorus frogs, wood frogs, leopard frogs, American toads, gray tree frogs, green frogs and bullfrogs. Each species has a simple and easily distinguished call. Peepers, chorus frogs and wood frogs are currently in full voice. The other species will be singing later in the spring.
Click on the following links to see these three frogs and hear their calls.
For the spring peeper, for the chorus frog, and for the wood frog.
Now that you know what they sound like, take an evening drive through your neighborhood or through the Waterloo Recreation Area. At each little pond encountered, pull over to the side of the road and roll down the windows.
Welcome to the sounds of nature.
