ISBN: 1-55105-073-0 |
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Monitoring Amphibians
What does monitoring entail?
You can participate in a meaningful way simply by monitoring your site
every two weeks from February – May. During each visit, you will look
for amphibians and their eggs. If you can continue to monitor your site
throughout the summer, watch for metamorphosed individuals. The seven
amphibian species in our area are easy to recognize, and some can even
be identified by their calls! You can record your observations on
mail-in forms, or submit it directly to our web site. Detailed
instructions are found in Section 5.
Monitoring a Site
Before you begin monitoring your site, be sure to carefully read
Sections 3.3 and 3.4 on the proper methods of handling amphibians and
ways to avoid the spread of amphibian diseases between sites.
Amphibians arrive early! You will need to begin visiting your site as
soon as the ice melts away from the edges of your pond. I have found
salamander eggs as early as February 1 at one of the MAP sites.
Establish a schedule for visiting your site. You should visit your site
once a week or once every two weeks throughout the breeding season,
especially during warm weather.
Using the Amphibian Keys. The attached keys are intended only as a
quick field reference. Unless you are already familiar with the
amphibians in our area, it is recommended that you participate in one
of the MAP training workshops. Experienced naturalists may be able to
identify the amphibians present using only field guides.
Know your Amphibians
Regardless of whether you are a beginning naturalist or an experienced
herpetologist, the following field identification guide is highly
recommended: Amphibians of Oregon, Washington and British Columbia, by
Charlotte Corkran and Christina Thoms. (Lone Pine Publishing, 1996.
ISBN 1-55105-073-0.) It includes clear descriptions and illustrations,
excellent keys, and beautiful photographs. It is a valuable tool and a
delight to read. Because the range maps do not include Idaho, you may
want to purchase a second guide that does. Refer to Section 8.3 for
suggested field guides.
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