2-29-2012 Today was the start of the migration period when the amphibians seek out suitable breeding ponds and vernal pools. The first call I heard was a Spring Peeper by Red Lock in the Valley followed by a single Midland Chorus Frog. Temps reached approximately 60 degrees during the day. The early part of the day had rain showers, a clear afternoon and ended with falling temps and spotty thunderstorms. Juvenile American Bullfrogs were spotted in Hinckley by Whipps Ledges. In the Valley, 5-6 adult Leopard frogs were in the Red Lock and several road kills on River View Road with several Spring Peepers in the same area on the stretch by the maintenance facility.

3-7-2012 I went back to the Hinckley and Whipps Ledges pond to see what activity was there. I saw 2 Wood frogs in amplexus, but heard non calling. There were 3-4 Spring peepers calling intermittently dependent on where I was walking. I saw only one Spotted salamander and it swam under a log as soon as the light hit it. I was surprised to find 3-4 Eastern newts, they blend in perfectly with the vegetation. There were several juvenile Bullfrogs again and I did see what I believed was last years Bullfrog tadpoles due to the rear legs beginning to grow. Temps were in the upper 50s during the day and rain in the morning. By the afternoon, everything was dry. I then went to Red lock and didn't find any Leopard frogs, so they may have moved on or were deeper in the vegetation due to the previous days cold temps.