Berry Springs Preserve Herps of Texas report, 15May2023

In spite of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there was a small group outing to Berry Springs Park and Preserve again this month.
Six amphibian species were observed in the main ponds, sloughs, and ditch in the pecan orchard: Western Narrow-mouthed Toad (CI = 3), Rio Grande Leopard Frog (CI = 2), Blanchard's Cricket Frog (CI = 3), Gulf Coast Toad (CI = 2), American Bullfrog (CI = 2), and Green Treefrog (CI = 3). Photos were obtained for three species, and recordings were obtained for all six species.
According to the USGS gauge station at Berry Creek at Airport Road near Georgetown, TX (https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/08105095/#parameterCode=00065&period=P7D), there had been 1.0 inch of rain two days before monitoring. The ponds and sloughs were full, and water was running over the main dam. We saw Common Nighthawk, Green Heron, Pied-billed Grebe, Black-bellied Whistling Duck, Franklin's Gull, and bats at sunset, heard Eastern Screech-Owl at sunset, and heard Barred Owl after sunset.
The monitoring period was 20:15 - 21:45.
Participants were Kathy and Christie.
Environmental conditions at the main ponds at sunset:
Air temperature = 72.3 deg F
Water temperature = 74.0 deg F
Sky = mostly cloudy
Water level = above average
Relative humidity = 67 %

Posted on 20 de maio de 2023, 02:50 PM by k_mccormack