Gray Tree Frog males take up positions in the shrubs around the woodland pools to broadcast their trilling mating calls to prospective females. These calling posts also serve as guard towers to vigorously defend against rival males vying for better position.
“The fun part is honing in on the calls to find the camouflaged cavaliers with the aid of a flashlight,” says Naturalist Dan Best.
Register your name on this call list to witness the natural phenomenon of spring breeding behavior of Gray Tree Frogs and Green Frogs. This event is entitled Frog Fest “Party Line” and it will occur sometime between May 10 to June 10 from 8 to 9:30 p.m. at The West Woods Nature Center, 9465 Kinsman Road (Route 87), Russell Township.
From March to May, warm, rainy conditions bring amphibians to wooded wetlands to mate and lay eggs. In this progression of breeding amphibians, tree frogs are late to the party, following Jefferson and spotted salamanders, wood frogs, spring peepers and American toads as the last ones out of hibernation. Naturalist Dan will make the call to hold the program – then we’ll start making calls to everyone registered on the Geauga Park District website or 440-286-9516.
Once you sign up, expect a call in the late afternoon on the day of, or possibly the day before, the program, and set out appropriate clothing and flashlights for your visit. “People have to take seriously the line about ‘short notice,'” said Naturalist Dan, as the decision to hold the program is based on the amount and timing of rain, temperature and more.
Wetland areas utilized that night feature the boardwalk and paved trails with ADA-OK grades for wheelchairs and strollers.
This always popular, all-ages program WILL fill up quickly, so get on the call list ASAP!
This story is brought to you by Geauga Park District
