CONTENTS
June 1998
Frogwatch Goals...
You Will...
What Are Amphibians?
Environmental Health...
You Can Help!
How To Frogwatch...
Monitoring Tips...
Sound Advice...
Safety First...
Frogwatch-Ontario and Nova Scotia...
Questions and Answers...
Step by Step Instructions...
Frogwatch-Ontario:Monitoring the Health of Ontario's Wetlands
- encourage community members of all ages to take an interest in their local environment
- collect data on the distribution of amphibian species across the province
- provide a fun and educational opportunity to promote the importance of wetlands and wetland species
Amphibians are moist skinned animals that spend part of their life in water and part on land. Eggs are usually laid in water (Red-back salamanders lay eggs on land) and hatch into free-swimming larvae (tadpoles) that rasp algae, or feed on plants or decomposing matter on the pond bottom. However, salamander larvae are carnivorous and feed primarily on aquatic invertebrates. Tadpoles typically metamorphose (change) into a terrestrial adult form with a carnivorous diet. Amphibians include frogs, toads, salamanders and newts.
In the same way that thermometers measure temperature, amphibians and other species of plants and animals can be used as indicators of environmental health.
- Amphibians are particularly vulnerable to changes in the environment.
- They live both in water and on land.
- Water must be available for reproduction.
- Disturbances or destruction to either habitat can affect amphibians.
- Amphibian skin is sensitive to environmental contaminants.
- The sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays can damage an amphibian's delicate skin.
When Amphibians start to disappear, we are warned that all is not well in the environment.
As a Frogwatch Observer, you can take action within your community to protect local wetlands. By simply listening for frog calls, we hope you will appreciate the importance of wetlands upon which many species depend. By monitoring the calls of frogs and toads throughout Ontario, valuable information about the location of frog and toad populations can be collected. Over the long-term, this data can be used to generate presence/absence information across a broad geographic range. As well, as the weather warms, we can monitor the south to north progression (phenology) of calls as amphibians wake from hibernation.
The health of frog and toad populations is a good indicator of the quality of freshwater and wetland habitats. The first amphibian calls celebrate the arrival of spring, and tell us where healthy habitats are located.
There is magic when frogs sing. No one wants a silent spring!
Male frogs and toads call to protect and define their territory and to attract females to their location. Some species call as early as March and others as late as July (and occasionally later). Each frog and toad species has its own distinct call, making it easy to recognize Ontario's 13 species.
Your monitoring form can be copied from the sheet in the back of this booklet. Once completed, fax or mail to Adopt-A-Pond. By accessing our webpage, data may be entered electronically, and E-mailed to us. You may acquire your registration number through the website, or if you do not have internet access, contact Environment Canada's Registration Phoneline at (905) 336-4418 and leave a message with your name, address and location details. Information on native amphibian populations, and links to other schools and groups is available through our website. The calls of Ontario's frogs and toads are provided to assist in identification and to verify your sightings.
- If possible, make observations once a week from late March to the end of July (but even a single report is significant).
- Listen for 3 minutes each evening starting in early spring. In southern Ontario, frogs and toads begin calling in late March.
- Use a separate monitoring sheet for each location and date (but you may include all frogs and toads you hear at one time on the same sheet).
- Record the time and date that you listened.
- It is important to submit weekly monitoring sheets, even if you listen and do not hear calls.
- Any other interesting info such as eggs, tadpoles or other animals is relevant and may be noted on sheet.
- Don't forget to include Lat/Long coordinates (this info may be accessed through the Frogwatch-Ontario website).
The data you submit will be immediately updated to provide distribution maps across Ontario. You may access these maps through the Adopt-A-Pond website, and see how your data has contributed to the long-term collection of amphibian presence/absence information across the province.
All data is sent to Environment Canada and the Ministry of Natural Resources Natural Heritage Information Centre (NHIC). Your contribution will provide valuable data across Ontario.
Frogwatch-Ontario
c/o Adopt-A-Pond
Toronto Zoo
361 A Old Finch Ave.
Scarborough, ONT. M1B 5K7
fax: (416) 392-4979
1-888-31FROGS
http://www.cciw.ca/frogwatching/index.html
[email protected]
TO REGISTER...
Do you live in Toronto (416 and 905 area codes), or in the Hamilton (905) area??
If so, to register as a Frogwatch Observer using the *REGIStrATION PHONEliNE* and avoid long-distance charges....
Dial access # : 416 - 956 - 4827
wait for ring followed by dial tone, then dial the Phoneline Number:
905- 336-4418
Leave your name, address and location details, and our volunteers will contact you with your new Observer Number.
You can also Register by mail or by internet.
If you live outside of the Toronto and Hamilton areas...
Call *REGIStrATION PHONEliNE* long distance (905) 336-4418
Leave your name, address and location details, and our volunteers will contact you with your new Observer Number.
OR save long distance charges
and *MAIL* us your
registration sheet or,
use the *INTERNET*.
- Most frog/toad calls peak at dusk, but some species will call during the day, especially after rain (e.g. green frogs, chorus frogs, peepers).
- Remain quiet and still while monitoring a habitat; it is important not to disturb the frogs, toads and other species.
- Calls can be heard on still nights, so try to pick a day with little wind.
- Fill in the temperature at the time you are monitoring.
- Submit your data as soon as possible after your observations.
Ontario is home to 2 species of toads and 11 species of frogs. A tape of frog and toad calls, available from Adopt-A-Pond will help you to identify each species. Calls may also be heard on our website on our Amphibians of Ontario. page, and by calling 1-800-31FROGS and entering the station number 333,333. The following is a summary of their calls, so you can sing along with the frogs.
American toad: 20-40 sec. High pitched trill.
Fowler's toad: rare; only along northern shore of Lake Erie. Extended nasal "Waa...waa".
Gray treefrog: short high pitched trill.
Blanchard's cricket frog: rare; southwestern Ontario (Pelee Island) Clicks like stones tapped together.
Chorus frogs: rasping, like running fingers along the teeth of a comb (2 subspecies: Pseudacris triseriata & P.maculata).
Spring peeper: loud, short "peep...peep".
Northern leopard frog: chuckling, like running hands over a balloon.
Pickerel frog: uncommon; nasal snore.
Wood frog: quacking sound similar to a duck.
Mink frog: like galloping horses or hammering in the distance.
Green frog: barking, like plucking a banjo string.
Bullfrog: deep bass, like "jug-O-rum...jug-O-rum".
- Monitor from your own backyard or cottage deck.
- If monitoring at night, always carry a flashlight and wear visible clothing
- Inform someone of where you are going and when you will be back
- Work in pairs or small groups
- Monitor in areas you are familiar with and never explore places at night
- Get permission before entering private property
- Never enter the water. It is not necessary to see the species, only hear them!
Frogwatch-Ontario is an educational monitoring programme modelled closely on a Nova Scotia programme which began in 1995. Although Frogwatch-Ontario and Nova Scotia share similarities, there are several differences:
- Frogwatch-Ontario will target all frog and toad species in the province. Frogwatch-Nova Scotia monitors Spring Peepers, a provincial treasure, well known for announcing the beginning of spring.
- Frogwatch-Ontario will include students and community members of all ages. The Nova Scotia programme targets elementary and junior students.
Q. Why should I continue monitoring if I do not hear any calls?
A. It is equally important to collect data from places that don't have frogs as places that do. This is how we can determine that frogs are no longer found in areas that once supported healthy populations. Wetland habitats without amphibians may indicate a disturbed or degraded environment. With continued monitoring, we may be able to determine (and celebrate) if frogs or toads have moved into that area once again.
Q. Several times I have monitored an area with frogs calling, but lately I have not heard any calls. Should I continue monitoring?
A. Yes. If possible, continue monitoring once a week until the end of July. The weather may be too cool or dry for certain species to begin or continue calling. However, no calls may also indicate a short-term loss or the first record of permanent loss and decline.
Q. Is my data still useful if I only monitor once or twice a week? By monitoring this infrequently, I may miss the breeding calls of some species entirely. Won't my data indicate that no species are present?
A. That may be true, but the goal of this programme is to collect data over the long term. Next year, it is unlikely that you will miss the calls. Even if you do, with other monitors in close proximity to your wetland, they are likely to be monitoring on a different day in the week and therefore will capture the calls.
All data collected is relevant since we are looking at results over the longterm. Data collected at more frequent, regular intervals is most useful, but if you are only able to monitor occasionally (like when at the cottage), please continue to Email, mail, fax or phone in your monitoring information.
Q. Is it necessary to include Lat/Long coordinates on the monitoring sheet? How do I find them?
A. Lat/Long coordinates are the most important information you can provide to us. It is the only way to map your calls and place your data in the NHIC database. If you have access to the internet, you may determine your coordinates through the Adopt-A-Pond website's link to the National Atlas of Canada using the "Look up Location" button. If you do not have internet access, libraries contain topographic maps of Ontario that will help you determine your coordinates. Once you have determined your lat/long coordinates for that site, your coordinates for that site will be automatically imputted each time you submit data using your Frogwatch Observer number. If you are really stuck, submit your data sheet with the lat/long field blank, and we will attempt to estimate your location. Remember: We will estimate the location based on your description, so be specific (street address and major road, and river/lake intersections). Finding your own location makes the submission much more accurate.
Q. What if I monitor for more than one site?
A. That is excellent! But remember that each site has it's own unique lat/long coordinate, and requires it's own unique Observer number.
Q. What if I would like to become a more dedicated Frogwatch Observer by monitoring each day or every other day?
A. You are welcome to submit data to Frogwatch-Ontario as often as you wish, however you may wish to contribute to a more sophisticated, scientific monitoring programme, such as the Canadian Wildlife Service Marsh Monitoring Program. See our website for links to other existing, more detailed monitoring programmes or write to:
Canadian Wildlife Service
867 Lakeshore Road
Burlington, ONT. L7R 4A6
Q. I think that I heard a frog last night, but I wasn't sure. Should I mark it down on the sheet and send it in just in case?
A. No! Try to confirm what you heard on the following night. Listen to the frog calls again, either on the tape, on our website or by contacting the Frogwatch Hotline at
1-888-31FROGS and input the station number 333,333. This should help to re-familiarize yourself with the calls. If you confirm the species of frog or toad that you hear, report it on the monitoring sheet and forward it to Adopt-A-Pond. If you are unable to confirm what you hear, it is best not to report an incorrect sighting.
Q. Why are the Midland and Boreal Chorus frog calls the same?
A. It is not possible to tell the calls apart, but if you are monitoring from north of Sudbury, we know that you are hearing the Boreal chorus frog. South of Sudbury, you hear the Midland chorus frog.
Q. Why should I use the website or Frogwatch Hotline to submit my data?
A. There are several reasons you should use the internet or hotline to submit data. First, Adopt-A-Pond raises all it project funds through donations therefore, we have only a few people to operate the entire programme for schools, homeowners, conservation authorities and groups. The internet allows automatic entry and checks into the databases, elimating data entry time from staff. Secondly, mailing and faxing data requires paper. Adopt-A-Pond wishes to reduce paper demands. However, we wish to make monitoring as easy as possible, so submit your data using the best method for you.
Note: The frogs and toads on the monitoring sheet are listed in order from the most commonly heard (based on distribution or abundance). Thus, you are more likely to hear an American toad than a Fowler's toad. If you hear any of the last 4 or 5 species on the list, please refer back to your tape, the website or the Hotline to verify the calls heard. Then, submit your information ASAP!
Step by Step Instructions for the Frogwatch Ontario Monitoring Programme
- Each species of frog and toad has a unique call. You may hear the calls on the Adopt-A-Pond website or by calling the Frogwatch-Ontario Hotline at 1-888-31FROGS and using your touch-tone phone input the station number as 333,333.
- Register for a Frogwatch-Ontario Observer Number using either the Internet , by mail or fax.
If you live WITHIN the Toronto area (416 and 905 area codes) or in the Hamilton area (905 area code) and wish to call the Registration Phoneline, you can avoid long-distance charges by dialing 416 - 956 - 4827, wait for ring followed immediately by dial tone, then dial 905 - 336 - 4418. (Do not dial "1" or "0"). If you live OUTSIDE the Toronto and Hamilton areas, call the Registration Phoneline long-distance at 905 - 336- 4418 (or avoid long-distance charges and mail us your registration sheet, or use the Internet).
When calling the Phoneline, leave your name, address and location details. Our volunteers will access these messages and contact you with your Frogwatch-Ontario Observer Number.
- Determine the lat/long coordinates of your listening spot/site/location/station. This information is available at our website when you submit your data over the Internet using the "Look up Location" button, or you can consult a topographic map of your area.
- In southern Ontario, frogs and toads call from late March to the end of July.
- Listen for three minutes (or longer if possible) each time you monitor from late March through to the end of July. Ideally, monitor once or twice a week, but even a single report is valuable.
- Dusk is the best time to monitor, but many species call during the day, especially after rain, if you prefer to monitor then.
- If necessary, verify the calls you heard using your tape, our website or the Frogwatch-Ontario Hotline (remember to enter the station number as 333,333 to hear the calls).
- Submit your monitoring sheet using our website, Hotline phone #, mail or fax.
Frogwatch-Ontario
c/o Adopt-A-Pond Toronto Zoo
361 A Old Finch Ave.
Scarborough, ONT. M1B 5K7
fax: (416) 392-4979
Frogwatch-Ontario Hotline: 1-888-31FROGS (313-7647)
website: http://www.cciw.ca/frogwatching/index.html
REGISTER by: MAIL, INTERNET, FAX, or REGIStrATION PHONEliNE...
If you live WITHIN Toronto area(416 and 905 area codes) or Hamilton (905 area code)Dial : Access Number 416-956-4827, then dial Registration Phoneline 905-336-4418.
If you live OUTSIDE Toronto and Hamilton: dial Registration Phoneline (long-distance) 905 -336- 4418