January 9, 2016 TAW (TX Amphibian Watch) at Lake Creek Dam
Participants:
Five stalwart Nature Nerds gathered at Lake Creek dam near Parmer on Saturday the 9th of January for the first of our 2016 monthly monitoring sessions. Thanks Kathy, Bill, Mikael and Mary Kay for joining me in the madness of winter amphibian detection efforts. We had a great time, as always.
Environmental Conditions:
Air Temp: 6.7C / Water Temp: 14.2C / Sky: 2 (cloudy) / Water Level: AA / Rel Humidity: 48%
Kathy McCormack and I (Sue Anderson) decided to implement a test protocol which lengthened the monitoring period to a half hour before sunset to an hour after sunset.
We thought that we might be able to see and photograph more amphibians during the brighter period before sunset. Now, of course, I am doubting the wisdom of starting this new protocol in the cold, cold weather of the first few months of the year. No, we weren't drinking; we actually had our planning meeting at the Soup Peddler. What were we thinking????
Observations:
We did not see or hear any amphibians this month. There is always that crazy outside chance the we could get a first-time ever Strecker's observation. Beth Duncan gets them at Devine Lake farther northwest. Since Lake Creek no longer has large natural grassy fields near the water, I doubt that we ever will now.
Hoping for a warmer February outing.
Ribbit, Ribbit.
Sue Anderson; CAMN 2008
