It's a Great Night to be Frog
Citizen Science and Nature at Night
Several years ago I began participating in the Frog Calling Survey Citizen Science Project. I have no idea why this project appealed to me. But, of all the projects I have participated in over the years as a Master Naturalist, this one has stuck. Each year, I go out three times (I need the correct time of the season, the right temperatures, and the right wind speeds to go for research purposes). You have to do the survey at night in the dark. My location is at a forest preserve 20 minutes from my house and the route is 1.75 miles. Not really a long walk, and I stop 5 times for 6 minutes to listen for frog calls. The challenge is that it’s at a public place and while the forest preserve is closed at sunset, that doesn’t mean people won’t stay out there after dark.
I usually go with a friend or two and it’s a wonderful evening in fresh air with the stars, frogs, and companionship. The first survey night of this year, my friends were unable to go. The first round was coming to a close and the weather was perfect. I went alone. I always contact the Sheriff’s Department so they know I’m out there. The beautiful day and evening brought out people who stayed past the park closing and that was a bit disconcerting. Orion walked with me and in the end the only thing that scared the bejeezus out of me were the Beavers in the little lake. I knew they were there and could even see them by the light of the moon, but they have this habit of slapping their tails on the water to scare away big predators like me. The first slap startled me and then I kept watch and I would talk to the beavers and let them know I was aware of them. Shortly after talking to one I could see swimming, another one near the shore slapped it’s tail and I screamed. I wonder if my scream was heard by any of the families in the surrounding farm houses. That scream echoed across the water and sky into the night. Thankfully, that was my last stop on the hike and I got in my car and headed home.
This is a video of a beaver who didn’t seem to care that were were there. My friend shown her red flashlight on it. It’s trying to move a stick by the dam. You may want to turn the sound off, it’s basically just the sound of the water running over the dam.
It’s always exciting to be out there. I’ve learned to recognize the frog calls and know which frog is calling. I have started to learn more constellations and some of the big star names. (Betelgeuse and Sirius). Being out there at night makes me feel so alive. Hearing the frogs gives me hope for our planet. They are an indicator species. This means that they are very susceptible to pollution and other environmental impacts. When we have a lot of calling it means that we have some areas that are healthy and safe for the frogs.
On July 3rd, I went out with a friend for out last survey of 2024. It was a wonderful night. The recent rains have ensured plenty of water for the frogs to lay their eggs and the boys were calling for a mate. We heard Green Frogs, Cricket frogs, Cope’s Grey Tree Frogs and Bullfrogs. On earlier walks we heard Chorus frogs (often mistaken for Spring Peepers) Northern Leopard Frogs and American Toads. The prairie lit up with firefly fireworks, a possum crossed out path, and Scorpius shined down on us.
It was a banner year for all of the species we have at the Forest Preserve. The most exciting stop, was number 3 on our third trip this year. It sits at the top of the prairie with a pond surrounded by woods to our left, a big sloped field that goes down to the little lake on the right. It was loud with frog calling. In the spring this little wooded pond is a cacophony of chorus frogs with the under tones of Northern Leopard frogs. While the frogs are still around and their tadpoles are busy morphing into juvenile frogs, the Cope’s Grey Tree frogs have expanded in number exponentially. Just three years ago, we heard them at the forest preserve for the first time. They were few in number and it was easy to distinguish the calls from one to the next to the next. This year, they were almost as loud as the best years of the chorus frogs (we have had to cover our ears, the sound was so intense.) My heart leaps for joy at this change. Caring for our little sections of land, providing water, trees, plants, and space, has helped increase the species numbers.
This is the best video I’ve ever gotten of the fireflies. It gives you a sense of the numbers of fireflies we see out here in July. We usually see a handful lighting up at the end of May and then it’s firefly fireworks July.
This volunteer project is near and dear to my heart. I wish I could take everyone I know out to experience the incredible beauty of the night. If you think you would like to participate in this Citizen Science Project, here’s a link to the website, https://frogsurvey.org/
One last thing before I stop rambling about the frogs.
I went to Southern Illinois to see the eclipse back in April. The frogs really do start to call as if it’s nighttime. There were a lot of spring peepers, and we found many juvenile green frogs and I got my first photo of a cricket frog.
My reaction to the Eclipse. It brought tears to my eyes watching it again.
Thank you for reading my froggy tale. For me this is a reminder to do the things that light you up. Be a firefly and reach for the sky. Be a frog and be the loudest frog in the pond. Be you, no apologies, no dimming your voice. Live life to the fullest.