Wild New Jersey Exclusive: Searching for Spring Peepers in the Dismal Swamp


Wood Frog

By Jill Weislo, WildNewJersey.tv

WildNewJersey.tv's David Wheeler, Dana Patterson, Jill Weislo, and Krysti Sabins set out yesterday in the Dismal Swamp to look for Spring Peepers, whose choruses have echoed around the Triple C Ranch since the night of March 11.  Although the search for seeing a Spring Peeper was unsuccessful, there was still much to see and hear around the vernal pools.  With only one scoop of his net, Wheeler was able to catch a mud snail, freshwater shrimp, and freshwater clam.  Bullfrogs and Spring Peepers were all singing away until we tried to find them - and they grew silent. 

Weislo and Sabins did manage to catch one frog, later identified as a Wood Frog by the prominent light stripe going across its mouth to behind its head.  Though no Spring Peepers were physically spotted, their gorgeous song continues to serenade the staff and visitors at the Triple C Ranch.  Special thanks to the State Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians by David Golden and Vicki Schwartz aand the related CD by Golden and John Bunnell of the Pinelands Commission [http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/prod_herpguide.htm], with its identifications of New Jersey amphibians and their calls.  Stay tuned for the fun frog tour video next week!

All photos by David Wheeler, Dana Patterson, Jill Weislo, and Krysti Sabins, Edison Wetlands Association.



Jill, Krysti, and Dana search for wildlife in the Dismal Swamp.


A vernal pool.


David Wheeler dips his net in. See what he finds below!


From left: freshwater shrimp, freshwater clam, and mud snail


David and Jill look closely for frogs.


We identified this frog by the light stripe going across its mouth to behind its head. 


After so much excitement, our Wood Frog friend was a little tired.


It's a dirty job, but someone has to do it!

Share |

Posted by WILDNEWJERSEY at 3/18/2010 11:00 AM
Categories: WNJ Exclusives, Amphibians
Tags: spring peepers clam shrimp wood frog bull frog snail dismal swamp
 

What did you think of this article?




Trackbacks
Trackback specific URL for this post
  • No trackbacks exist for this post.
Comments
  • No comments exist for this post.
Leave a comment

Submitted comments are subject to moderation before being displayed.

 Enter the above security code (required)

 Name

 Email (will not be published)

 Website

Your comment is 0 characters limited to 3000 characters.