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Texas Amphibian Watch Monitoring Packet

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Nocturnal Roadside 19 Count Guidelines Frog and Toad Survey The Texas Frog and Toad Survey abundance across the United monitoring effort. And in the is part of the North American States as well as in Texas. Given process, we hope you have a safe, Amphibian Monitoring Program. your skills and dedication, we fun time getting to know the The data collected here is part of hope that you will be able to amphibians around you! a carefully-designed system whose monitor your route for many purpose is to assess whether there years and thus add even more are any trends in amphibian consistency and credibility to this Texas Frog and Toad Survey What you need to get started... is a partner with the North � this information sheet, plus a data sheet and map of your route location American Amphibian � a flashlight Monitoring Program (NAAMP) www.pwrc.usgs.gov/naamp � a clipboard and several pencils � a watch � 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 measur­ ing wind speed), a hygrometer (for measuring relative humidity), and a barometer (for measuring barometric pressure). See data guidelines for suggestions regarding these measurements. � a resource for identifying frog and toad calls (see page 37) and a field guide for area amphibians Setting up the route... We provide you with a pre-selected water at some time. These wetlands map provided. While looking for starting point and a map of the will be your “listening posts” for the stops it is also important to make locality. During January, you need call counts. Each wetland must be sure the roads are appropriate for to set up your survey route. Start at least 0.5 miles apart.This ensures stopping. If they are too busy, too at the starting point and begin that you do not hear overlapping dangerous, private roads, or poorly driving along public roads in the calls from two adjacent listening maintained, then the route may be direction provided. Locate the first posts. Record the wetland types and shifted to the nearest set of appro­ 10 wetlands you encounter along coordinates (if possible) on the priate roads that travel in the same either side of the road. Wetlands Ground-truthing Form using the direction. Contact TPWD for more can include ponds, temporary categories described in the Data information on shifting routes. pools, ditches, etc.– basically any Guide on page 36. Mark the Please send a copy of your map site which holds some standing listening posts with an “X” on the back to us. 20 Nocturnal Roadside Count Guidelines Frog and Toad Survey How to conduct your counts... Conduct one count during each of the recording a call index for each species Repeat this until you have finished survey periods recommended for your heard. The call index (CI) is based on the route. At the end record your region (a map is shown on page 27). three levels: final weather conditions. You should run the route during periods of high humidity and within 72 � CI=1–onlyafew individuals of You’ll need to run your route at least hours after rain. Start the survey no the species are distinctly heard; three times each year according to the earlier than 30 minutes after sunset, � CI=2– calls of several individuals map on page 27. and complete the survey by 1 a.m. overlap; Approach the listening post cautiously, � CI=3–so many individuals of the Because of NAAMP data entry listening for frogs and toads as you species are calling that calls are requirements, you need to enter your approach (close your car doors quietly!). overlapping and indistinguishable. data online (www.pwrc.usgs.gov/naamp) (See page 35 for more information.) or send your data sheets and maps to After arriving at Stop 1, fill out TPWD by SEPTEMBER 30 . We’ll portions of the data sheet, including Also note any frogs and toads that compile all the data and send you an the date, beginning time, and weather you happen to see and record any annual report. Then we hope you’ll data. The Data Guide offers you night birds that you hear. Record continue to monitor the activities of suggestions on completing these your observations, move on to the the frogs and toads on your route for sections. Next, listen for 5 minutes, next stop, and follow the same steps. many years to come. Some special notes... In order to increase the reliability of to participate in the NAAMP traffic as you exit your car. You may its data, NAAMP requires its program in Texas, then practicing the also listen from inside your car with volunteers to take an online Frog Call techniques on a route of your own for the windows down if that is a safer Quiz and receive a score of at least a year or two might be a good idea. option. Simply note which option 65. Volunteers may take the quiz as you choose and stay consistent each many times as necessary and may also TheTexas Frog andToadSurveyis time you run your route. It is take practice quizzes online. To designed as a roadside survey. Please recommended that at least two people access theFrogCallQuizfor your respect the rights of private property conduct each count. route, please visit owners during the course of your www.pwrc.usgs.gov/frogquiz. The volunteer efforts and do not leave If wetland sites along your route are quiz for each year should be com­ road rights-of-way when setting up or destroyed, please continue to main­ pleted no later than Oct. 31. conducting your counts. tain your listening posts there–your data will give us information on The North American Amphibian Be sure to take safety precautions. amphibian habitat trends. You Monitoring Program assigns the When setting up your route avoid should, however, note changes along location of these random routes; high-traffic roads, for safety reasons your route, whether it is the creation however, you are welcome to set up and because traffic will interfere with or destruction of wetlands. Current additional routes of your own in other your ability to hear calls. Be sure to NAAMP protocols can be reviewed at locations. In fact, if you would like park well off the road and watch for www.pwrc.usgs.gov/naamp/protocol/. To aid us in conserving paper and reducing printing costs, you may wish to photocopy this page. Please feel free Frog and Toad Survey • Ground-truthing Form to photocopy forms. Site Data Route number: to be assigned by TPW County: Directions to starting point: Observer Data Name: Daytime phone: Address: Evening phone: Fax: City/St/Zip: E-mail: Total volunteer time for ground-truthing (# people X # hours): Distance from Wetland type Stop starting point Notes (miles) (see Data Guide) coordinates Stop 1 Stop 2 Stop 3 Stop 4 Stop 5 Stop 6 Stop 7 Stop 8 Stop 9 Stop 10 Be sure to mark all stops on your map. Please return map and form by MARCH 30 to: Remember, all stops must be at least Texas Amphibian Watch, Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept. 0.5 miles apart. 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744 The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department maintains the information collected through this form. With few exceptions, you are entitled to be informed about the information we collect. Under Sections 552.021 and 552.023 of the Texas Government Code, you are also entitled to receive and review the information. Under Section 559.004, you are also entitled to have this information corrected. www.tpwd.state.tx.us PWD 1157D–W7000 (3/07) To aid us in conserving paper and reducing printing costs, you may wish to photocopy this page. Please feel free Frog and Toad Survey • Ground-truthing Form to photocopy forms. Site Data Route number: to be assigned by TPW 83157 County: Hays Directions to starting point: ~5 mi. NE of Driftwood @ intersection of FM 1826 and FM 967 Observer Data SAMPLE Name: Lee Ann Linam Daytime phone: 512-847-9480 Address: 200 Hoots Holler Rd. Evening phone: 512-847-9480 Fax: 512-847-9480 City/St/Zip: Wimberley, TX 78676 E-mail: [email protected] Total volunteer time for ground-truthing (# people X # hours): 3 hrs. Distance from Wetland type Stop starting point Notes (miles) (see Data Guide) coordinates Stop 1 0.35 stream (large, ~20 ft) Onion Creek @ Salt Lick Stop 2 1.8 stream (intermittent, 8 ft. wide) wet weather creek Stop 3 Onion Creek is about 100 yd. off 2.5 stream (large, ~20 ft.) right-hand side of road Stop 4 3.15 stream (intermittent) Onion Creek - stop before bridge Stop 5 5.1 stream (5 ft, intermittent) wet weather creek Stop 6 6.2 pond (man-made) stock tank on left side Stop 7 7.0 stream (small, 15 ft) Onion Creek - stop after bridge Stop 8 7.7 pond (man-made) impoundment in creek on left Stop 9 8.4 stream (10 ft, intermittent) pull over to left shoulder Stop 10 9.85 stream (8 ft, intermittent) Be sure to mark all stops on your map. Please return map and form by MARCH 30 to: Remember, all stops must be at least Texas Amphibian Watch, Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept. 0.5 miles apart. 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744 The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department maintains the information collected through this form. With few exceptions, you are entitled to be informed about the information we collect.
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