Published March 30, 2010 by

The Arb is becoming colorful and noisy

Wildflowers in the Arb Wildflowers in the Arb - macro
I was surprised to see wildflowers blooming in the lower Arb yesterday (no idea what these are. Anyone?)

But I was even more surprised to hear the frogs. It’s still March! I assume these were Western Chorus frogs, judging from the audio on this MPCA page on frogs for kids. Here’s a 14-second video clip with audio:

 

Also, see this great article on the DNR’s website: Sense of Place: Attuned to Frogs – A wetlands researcher steps into the muck and finally hears the frogs.

And sign up for the DNR’s 2010 Minnesota Frog & Toad Calling Survey (MFTCS).

Griff Wigley

Griff Wigley

Colleges Environment Photos Video

Carleton Arb DNR

5 Comments

  1. Jane McWilliams said:

    Scylla??

    March 30, 2010
  3. Patricia Wegner said:

    These are scillas, which altho they are usually first up, came a good 3 weeks early this year, following warm weather and a covering of river water that fooled them at the arb entrance.

    March 30, 2010
  4. Jane McWilliams said:

    Oops! Thanks Paul and Patricia.

    March 30, 2010
  5. Susan Hvistendahl said:

    Thanks for the frog publicity, Griff! That reminds me of my favorite news story about frogs from the Star Tribune (March 2). Herbicide turns male frogs into females. Atrazine is used in 75 per cent of U.S. cornfields, and has been found in rivers and streams. I suggest the male sex should stay out of Iowa cornfields. Also, don’t drink the water there.

    March 31, 2010

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