Texas Frog and Toad Survey

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Ultimately we would love for you to become involved in the formal North American Amphibian Monitoring Program (NAAMP). As a NAAMP participant, you conduct a nocturnal frog-call count along a randomly-selected route in your area at least three times per year. The NAAMP counts consist of stops at 10 wetlands where you will listen for frog calls and record habitat and climatic conditions. Because the NAAMP surveys are standardized and designed with random sampling in mind, the data you collect along these routes can be combined with data from all over the country to recognize local, regional and national patterns of amphibian stability or decline. As you prepare to participate in NAAMP you can also set up a transect call count route in your own area. The Texas Amphibian Watch Monitoring Packet (PDF 3.3 MB) provides data forms and information on how to begin.

What you need to get started:

• This information sheet, plus a data sheet and map of your route location;
• A flashlight;
• A clipboard and several pencils;
• A watch with a second hand;
• A tape recorder and a blank tape for recording calls you do not know;
• An outdoor thermometer. Other gauges would be useful if available, including an anemometer (for measuring wind speed), a hygrometer (for measuring relative humidity), and a barometer (for measuring barometric pressure). (See data guidelines for suggestions regarding these measurements.); and,
• At home, a resource for identifying frog and toad calls (see reference list) and a field guide for amphibians of the area.

Setting up the route:

We have provided you with a pre-selected starting point and a map of the locality. During January or early February you need to set up your survey route. Driving along public roads in the direction provided, locate the first 10 wetlands you encounter along either side of the road. Wetlands can include ponds, temporary pools, ditches, etc.–basically any site which holds some standing water at some time. These wetlands will be your “listening posts”for the call counts. Each wetland must be at least 0.5 miles apart. This ensures that you do not hear overlapping calls from two adjacent listening posts. Record the wetland types on the Ground-truthing Form using the categories described in the Data Guide on page 32. Mark the listening posts with an “X”on the map provided. While looking for stops it is also important to make sure the roads are appropriate for stopping. If they are too busy, too dangerous, private roads, or poorly maintained, then the routes may be shifted to the nearest set of appropriate roads that travel in the same direction. Contact TPWD for more information on shifting routes. Please send a copy of your map back to us.

How to conduct your counts:

Conduct one count during each of the survey periods recommended for your region (a map is shown on page 27 of the Texas Amphibian Watch Monitoring Packet (PDF 3.3 MB)). You should run the route during periods of high humidity and within 72 hours after rain. Start the survey 30 minutes after sunset, and complete the survey by 1 a.m. Approach the listening post cautiously, listening for frogs and toads as you approach (close your car doors quietly!).

After arriving at Stop 1, fill out portions of the data sheet, including the date, beginning time, and weather data. The Data Guide offers you suggestions on completing these sections. Next, listen for 5 minutes, recording a call index for each species heard. The call index (CI) is based on three levels: CI = 1 –only a few individuals of the species are distinctly heard; CI = 2 –calls of several individuals overlap; CI = 3 –so many individuals of the species are calling that calls are overlapping and indistinguishable. (See page 31 of the Texas Amphibian Watch Monitoring Packet (PDF 3.3 MB) for more information.) Also note any frogs and toads that you happen to see and record any night birds that you hear. Record your observa-tions, move on to the next stop, and follow the same steps. Repeat this until you have finished the route. At the end record your final weather conditions.

You’ll need to run your route at least three times each year according to the map on page 27 of the Texas Amphibian Watch Monitoring Packet (PDF 3.3 MB).

Send your data sheets and maps into TPWD by NOVEMBER 30. We’ll compile all the data and send you an annual report. Then we hope you’ll continue to monitor the activities of the frogs and toads on your route for many years to come.

Some special notes:

The North American Amphibian Monitoring Program assigns the location of these random routes; however, you are welcome to set up additional routes of your own in other locations. In fact, if you would like to participate in the NAAMP program in Texas, then practicing the techniques on a route of your own for a year or two might be a good idea.

The Texas Frog and Toad Survey is designed as a roadside survey. Please respect the rights of private property owners during the course of your volunteer efforts and do not leave road rights-of-way when setting up or conducting your counts.

Be sure to take safety precautions. When setting up your route avoid high-traffic roads, for safety reasons and because traffic will interfere with your ability to hear calls. Be sure to park well off the road and watch for traffic as you exit your car. You may also listen from inside your car with the windows down if that is a safer option. Simply note which option you choose and stay consistent each time you run your route. It is recommended that at least two people conduct each count.

If wetland sites along your route are destroyed, please continue to maintain your listening posts there–your data will give us informa-tion on amphibian habitat trends. You should, however, note changes along your route, whether it is the creation or destruction of wetlands.

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