FrogWatch

Tips for FrogWatching

From mysterious die-offs at Cape Breton, to the droughts in Alberta, to flourishing populations of peepers keeping you up at night — you have given us much news. Canadians from all over the country have sent in observations to tell us what is happening in their area — we need to hear from you!

Even if it is just one observation it is important to us. Every piece of data helps complete the picture of distribution and calling times for the frogs and toads in your area.

Use the data form on the back of your FrogWatch poster to tell us what you saw. Did you hear the frogs calling? Were they absent in your area this year? Let us know!

Here are some tips to help you submit your observations:

• Establish a routine and enter your data on a weekly basis. Pick the same day every week. This way you wonít forget to enter any observations, or lose your data sheets.

• Or, save your data and input it all at once to save time.

• Pick one spot where you will make your observations. This saves you from finding the longitude and latitude for a number of spots if you are trying to monitor over a large area.

• As well as submitting your data electronically, you can also mail or fax your observation sheets.

• You can send in data on frog sightings as well as frog calls. Use the descriptions on the front of the poster to help you identify any frogs you see.

• Many people are asking if it is "too late in the season" to join. Certainly not! Some species of frogs will continue to sound off into the late summer. Even if you submit only a few observations, it gives you a chance to try out the data entry system to find out what works best for you. We want all of our volunteers ready to go next spring when the frogs really start calling!