LOCAL OBSERVATIONS 2009 - March
Wednesday 18th March 2009
Conditions: 0 wind, no cloud.
Temperature : around 12 C
Time of observations: 20h30 to 22h30The big night, our trip to Opoul, upon arrival, the others were already in the field and were taking photos of the first Western Spadefoot toad (Pelobates cultripes) of the night, afterwards we scouted along the sides of the pond for any interesting shots, we saw an overpowering dominance of the Natterjack (Bufo calamita), there was also a heavy population of Stripeless Tree frog (Hyla meridionalis) out this night, but they were less exposed to the lights as they took refuge in the weeds in the centre of the pond. We managed to find a few Painted frogs (Discoglossus pictus) and also one Common toad (Bufo bufo), a nice change from the Natterjack ! A Parsley frog (Pelodytes punctatus) was also spotted, but hopped away into the very thin mud of the pond, they're not called PELODYTES for nothing ! (Pelodytes from greek, meaning, one dives into the mud).
Mathieu also found what turned out to be an ill Male Marbled newt (Triturus marmoratus). We found in total 4 Western Spadefoot toads.
Sub-adult Western Spadefoot toad (Pelobates cultripes)
Western Spadefoot toad (Pelobates cultripes)
Western Spadefoot toad (Pelobates cultripes) underwater
Natterjack (Bufo calamita) love ball
Common toad (Bufo bufo)
Stripeless Tree frog (Hyla meridionalis)
A Natterjack mistakes a Pelobates for one of his own species
Painted frog (Discoglossus pictus)
Reddish Pained frog (Discoglossus pictus)
Western Spadefoot toad (Pelobates cultripes)
Western Spadefoot toad (Pelobates cultripes)
Stripeless Tree frog (Hyla meridionalis)
Natterjack (Bufo calamita)
An ill Marbled newt (Triturus marmoratus)
Male Marbled newt (Triturus marmoratus) same as the photo above © Maurice Sabatier
Monday 16th March 2009
Conditions: slight breeze, humid.
Temperature : around 15 C
Time of observations: 21h30 to 22h30I finally felt better having been in bed all week end ill, I now had my car on the road so I decided to take it easy, as I didn't want to be ill again, I decided only to go back to the ponds and get some photos of Natterjack singing and some more natural photos of them.
Natterjack (Bufo calamita)
Singing Natterjack (Bufo calamita)
Amplexus of Natterjack (Bufo calamita)
Singing Natterjack (Bufo calamita)
Friday 13th March 2009
Conditions: no wind, no clouds.
Temperature : around 14 C
Time of observations: 21h00 to 00h30Feeling ill, I still wanted to go out and see some amphibians, I traveled first of all to a small forest where I suspected there to be calling, as it turned out the calling came from a ditch not too far away, there I found multiple Stripeless Tree frogs (Hyla meridionalis), a few Green frog species (Pelophylax sp.) and I also came across a Painted frog (Discoglossus pictus).
After this I headed along a canal where I had observed many toads recently, but tonight there was nothing, I followed the sound of Natterjack (Bufo calamita) singing over a few kilometres and ended up at a pond where, sure enough, many hundreds of Natterjack and Stripeless Tree frogs had gathered for breeding, I moved across the road every amphibian I came across, which includes no less then 100 Natterjacks. I also found some rather reddish Painted frogs, and one Parsley frog (Pelodytes punctatus).
Calling Male Stripeless Tree frog (Hyla meridionalis)
Painted frog (Discoglossus pictus)
Stripeless Tree frog (Hyla meridionalis)
Stripeless Tree frog (Hyla meridionalis)
One of many Natterjacks (Bufo calamita) crossing the road
Natterjack (Bufo calamita)
Natterjack (Bufo calamita)
Natterjack (Bufo calamita)
Natterjack (Bufo calamita)
Painted frog (Discoglossus pictus)
Some can't wait until they arrive at the water, Natterjacks (Bufo calamita)
At the water, the Natterjacks (Bufo calamita) are singing
Natterjack (Bufo calamita)
Graf's frog (Pelophylax kl. grafi)
Parsley frog (Pelodytes punctatus)
Another Painted frog (Discoglossus pictus)
Sunday 1st March 2009
Conditions: cloudy, humid, light winds.
Temperature : around 8 C
Time of observations: 19h00 to 19h30Not a real herp excursion, however some of you may have noticed I cited observing Discoglossus pictus on the home page in "Latest observations" I did whilst walking my dog yesterday, tonight at the same occasion, I took my camera and did find the frog at the same spot and also noticed that there had already been some breeding by the presence of some eggs.
Male Painted frog, what are those black speckles on his rear limbs?
Some clean spawn
And some spawn with various deposits settled upon it
Text & images © Daniel Phillips