Chorus Frog Surveys #2 & #3

Our frogs continue to sing. Our wetland's wood frogs are done. The spring peepers were singing last night, even during a storm. We had about 20 mm rain last night. It was quite the rain storm.

We were back to our frog survey, hunting for western chorus frogs. It's such a short window of time, just a few weeks, when they sing and can be identified from their songs. 

April 18th was a good frogging day. I love the two ponds near location #2. 

It's a lovely busy community for location #1.

This wetland was full!

The homes are quite interesting.

At one spot, a chipmunk was watching me! Can you see it? Just atop the rock. JB was in the car waiting patiently for me.

April 24th – there were two rib skeletons in the ditch. Gnawed clean.

This was a great spot for western chorus frogs.

Western chorus frogs from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

There were wood frogs, as well.

 

wood frogs from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

The flowers are beginning to blooms!

Western Chorus Frog survey #1

April 11th 

I didn't believe them! I was sent the email on April 7th, but we just weren't warm enough, it had to be 10 C. They sent another message Monday morning saying that we are opened up for the season across southern and southeastern Ontario. This is the area (see map) where people are surveying through Blazing Star Environmental. Here is the information about the Western Chorus Frog survey. These frogs range from here up to Huntsville, to western Quebec.

After ditch digging on Monday morning, I thought we could take at a bit of a drive. 

Having mapped out the 4 spots, printed off the materials, printed an extra 'incidental' sheet in case we come across some of them at other than assigned sites, we were ready to go. The spot were all fairly close to home, unlike previous years where we were able to take long, lovely drives. [Western Chorus Frog Survey 2021; Frog hunting 2020]

I navigated, and we made it to site #4, first. It was in town, and I was dubious. There was a teeny creek, with a bridge, but the running water was too fast for frogs. 

Site #3 was next. It was even worse. A kind gentleman, coming out of his driveway in his pick up, asked if he could help me. I said we were just doing a frog survey! He said, "OK, you're on your own!" That said, I couldn't find any water!

Site #2 was another bust. No water anywhere near my site marker. 

This was near the beginning of the road, not near the marker.

Site #1 was where I had asked to go, the other sites were assigned. There were froggies chirping!!! I was so happy. Not only that, but I spotted a pair of wood ducks, coyote scat, and beaver damage to the trees around the quarry. 

The first thing I spotted was beaver damage! I don't think there is any running water at the quarry!

This is a vernal pond, and it is where the froggies were singing. The beaver damage was immense.

I walked back to the quarry, JB parked there, and there was litter everywhere. The quarry didn't have any birds at all. 

western chorus frog from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo:

quarry from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo: 

 

To answer your question, re: putting out the garbage, AC: we have a two-bag limit, with a sticker required for additional bags. The yellow bags are specifically for ditch trash, which the local Otty Lake community coordinates. They don't charge us for them and they are free to pick up at the municipal office. I've put out 6 bags in total, but since there was garbage out at the road, I put it out at a neighbour's house rather than dragging it home along the highway. It was picked up an hour later.

Chorus frog hunting, etc.

Thursday, April 8th

We're still at it, chorus frog calls last about 2 - 3 weeks! Off we went for another spring drive in the sunshine. It's a nice way to pass the time. 

Righty, back to frogging spot #300, Kenyan Rd. I was dubious. I ended up hear a few wood frogs right beside the road. 

It's a good sign to hear the wood frogs. Still no chorus frogs, though.

This little tree amused me. A splash of green! 

I am wondering about this road. It must be a municipal road, and not a private road, I think. Back in the early days farmers were responsible for maintaining roads around their properties. Municipal governments are now responsible.

I finally remembered to bring my phone, with the GPS, and the saved locations. It really helped.

The spring freshet is quick this year. This little babbling brook was a delight!

  

People are tapping trees, although I think the professionals are done for the season!

This is a pretty spot. You can see the lake through the trees. I hope you enjoy the scene. These are a combination  of 'cottages' and year-round residences.

JB parked and I wandered listening for love!

The mirror on the road indicates that it's tricky getting out of Major Lane!

I've begged off site #1661, Sundance Lane R1, as there is no suitable location for frogs. It's all lovely forest. This is supposed to be R5, site #1657, according to Google maps! They have not been updated. It's actually O'Meara Bay Lane.

This is site #301, the frogs are singing aways in from the road, on the other side of a forest to the right of the marker. 

Now, this is what I faced, the crow flew right over my head, and across the wetland. The frogs wisely shut the heck up, way back in the water. I think it has a sense of humour. frogging with a crow  

At home, the wood frogs are hopping to it, mating like mad.

Saturday: World Curling in Calgary

It has been good entertainment for JB to watch his curling. He made up his own chart for the results. He's a numbers man. Sadly, Canada is out of it, beaten by Scotland. I heard the results on the 4 am. news. sigh. It means, since JB taped it, I have to keep a poker face to not let him know who won! I'm pretty good at that. 

Also, they've shut the finals down Saturday, suspending play, as someone has tested positive for COVID–19. Not one of the 6 playoff teams, but they are all confined to their bubble barracks as everyone is being tested. There are several asymptomatic cases. They were all tested just before flying home. I believe they thought they'd be OK, but they all flew in from around the world. The bubble did not work.

The rest of Saturday was amazing!

COVID–19

Our COVID–19 numbers are rising, and thanks to the denial of the provincial government about the severity of the variant spread, our Toronto ICUs are full and hospitals are sending patients out of big cities to smaller hospitals. While Canada, as a nation, has universal healthcare, and we ordered enough vaccines (we get ours next week), our provincial premier told us a year ago to enjoy March Break, and many brought the virus home. Then, things went downhill.  Premier Ford should have shut us down 6 weeks ago, but he is in the pockets of his Old Boys Network pals, rather than listening to front line staff and the medical community. He quit high school and he's not the brightest light.

Our MPP is still up to his old tricks, denying the pandemic. Red says his MLA is the same way. Such dipsticks. The MPP is hosting a COVID Denial party. It was held in a pub, and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission has suspended their liquor licence! Happy dance! 

AGCO suspends and moves to revoke the liquor licence of The South Branch Bistro, Kemptville

APRIL 09, 2021