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a little water. a lot of wildlife.

March 11, 2022

If you visit the wetland areas of Hildacy Preserve (and many of our other properties) this time of year, you’ll be greeted by a chorus of sounds: peeping, quacking, purring, and trilling. These are all frogs calling for mates.

Our ephemeral wetlands are managed to support breeding habitat for amphibians that spend most of their lives in the woods and come to shallow pools in spring to mate and lay eggs. Each summer, after tagpoles have become frogs, we drain the water. This replication of a dry season prevents fish populations that would prey on frog eggs.

soak it in.

Did you know that frogs don’t drink water? Instead they absorb it through their skin. Because of their sponge-like skin, these critters can be easily poisoned by pollution. A pond or wetland full of frogs means the water is clean and healthy.

From late winter to late spring, listen for this progression of charming, noisy species (photos by Bill Moses):

Three small, brown frogs in a pool of water. One frog is perched on a branch; the other two are swimming in the water.

wood frog – sounds like a duck quacking
photo: Bill Moses

A brownish frog with its throat expanded like a balloon sitting in a wet, reedy marsh

spring peeper – sounds like a chick peeping
photo: Bill Moses

A brown and green and black frog swimming in a reedy marsh

pickerel frog – sounds like a cat purring
photo: Bill Moses

a small yellowish-green frog is perched on a wet green leaf

green frog – sounds like a banjo strum
photo: Bill Moses

soak it in.

Did you know that frogs don’t drink water? Instead they absorb it through their skin. Because of their sponge-like skin, these critters can be easily poisoned by pollution. A pond or wetland full of frogs means the water is clean and healthy.