To All Our Volunteers

By: Kristen Giefer

Our volunteers at Beaver Creek Reserve are incredible assets to the growth and success of our organization. As the AmeriCorps member serving as the Volunteer Coordinator at Beaver Creek Reserve, I am privileged to work with the volunteers that we have. There are a variety of ways a volunteer can be involved at the Reserve, whether it’s through Citizen Science Programs, Hobb’s Observatory Programs, volunteering at special events or at the front desk of the Nature Center, or maintaining our trails and gardens. I know I always have someone to count on when an opportunity arises, which I couldn’t be more grateful for. However, I am not the only person who appreciates our volunteers, here are some stories from Beaver Creek staff members that explain just how much our volunteers mean to us.

Beaver Creek would not be where it is today without its volunteers.  I work with many of them regularly at the front desk, and this past year especially I have found myself leaning on them pretty heavily to keep the nature center front desk staffed and open.  Each volunteer at the front desk brings something different to the table, from amazing proofreading skills, to data entry, and even baking.  But what they all have in common is that they are kind souls who are always willing to help.  Some volunteers I get to see every week, some are able to be on call and fill in as needed.  I always look forward to chatting with them and learning from them. There are many wonderful people out there, but I think that BCR has really hit the jackpot with our volunteers.
-Hannah Becker, Office Manager

Greg Hirsch guides visitors
around the Butterfly House
at Butterfly Fest, 2019.
Photo by Ruth Forsgren.

I just completed my first year at Beaver Creek Reserve, and I am completely amazed by the ambitious and generous volunteers we have! Beginning with our Butterfly House and Lab volunteers who put in long days and extra hours to take care of our Monarch Butterflies and share their incredible knowledge with the public, to volunteering with our community programs. We are incredibly grateful to have so many hard-working volunteers that care so much about Beaver Creek Reserve, and I'm very excited to see what the future holds for all of us. Thank you to all our volunteers!!
-Megan Giefer, Naturalist

A huge thank you goes out to the many volunteers it takes to make our Butterfly House the attraction that it is at Beaver Creek!  Countless hours are put in by people helping plant the House and gardens, caring for caterpillars in our lab, collecting butterflies, and serving as the face of Beaver Creek as guides in our Butterfly House.  This absolutely could nothing happen without all of you!  We owe you so much, and you ask nothing in return but to serve!  Thank you all!

-Jim Schwiebert, Naturalist

Volunteers working on the beehives at
Beaver Creek. Photo by Ruth Forsgren.

Being a volunteer at Beaver Creek Reserve not only benefits BCR, it benefits the volunteer.  When we moved to the Chippewa Valley almost 12 years ago, we had a one year old and no friends or family in the area.  My husband was starting a new job and I was going to be a stay at home mom.  Being isolated in a new place with no support system was extremely difficult for me and I needed something to get me out of the house.  On a weekend outing, we discovered Beaver Creek and I immediately applied to be a weekend receptionist volunteer.  I tried to work one shift each month and did this for almost 7 years!  It was a fantastic way to get out of the house, use my brain again, and give back to an organization that has the same priorities as me.  It made me feel good to be useful in a role outside of being a mom, which also helped me be a better mom. Because of the connections I made while volunteering, I was able to transition to a staff position as the Database Coordinator at BCR.  As an employee I still get to work with many volunteers at Beaver Creek which is an added benefit. I learn something new every time I work with a volunteer.  Each person brings their own expertise and can share it with others benefiting BCR and myself personally.  Volunteering is a win-win for everyone!

-Julie Felske, Database Coordinator

Our Volunteers make our office run more smoothly. They each bring a different set of past career knowledge that gives us an invaluable well to pull from.  If we need help with policy changes all the way to cutting out hundreds for colored hearts they are up for the task.  Each of them is a joy to work with and I sincerely appreciate all they do. THANK YOU!
-Kirsten Holmes, Office Assistant

Sherry Sprague teaching campers about snakes during
Nature Nuts, 2019. Photo by Ruth Forsgren.

If Beaver Creek didn’t have such a vast crew of volunteers, there is no way I could run many of my programs or camps. One example that immediately comes to mind is Nature Nuts. I have 72, five and six year olds that join me for the week long Nuts Camp each year and without strong volunteers there is no way I could run that camp. These volunteers not only help teach and lead, but they also pretend, get excited and show amazement right along with my campers. The second example comes quickly to mind is the Holiday Crafting for Kids program; on this Saturday before Thanksgiving program, these awesome volunteers come ready to help the kids to glue, paint, tie, build their crafts. Then there are my, what I will call the behind-the-scene support crew volunteers, they are ones who help me with pre-cutting, pre-gluing, collecting sticks or whatever other seemingly silly things I ask them to do that help make the programs so smoother. As I write these things down, I think of more and more examples of how volunteers positively affect my work, and without whom I couldn’t do my job as effectively, and there is no way in a short paragraph I can thank them all, but every single one is important to me and I truly do thank you all!
-Ruth Forsgren, Naturalist

Dan Mittag and Jerad Polden
performing a controlled burn
in our oak savanna, 2019.

It's no secret that volunteers are why Beaver Creek is what it is today. Our Citizen Science Center is built around the idea that anybody can make an important contribution to science. Citizen Science volunteers are always getting out there in the woods, prairies, and rivers. They're the ones peeking into nest boxes, using wacky devices to survey for bats, and watching out for invasive species. It's inspiring to see how much our volunteers care. The CSC has been host to many different projects that have brought some of the most amazing and interesting people through our doors. I always feel lucky to know so many good people because of Beaver Creek.
-AJ Leiden, Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator

I really appreciate getting to know all our volunteers. It has been so great to get little sneak peeks into their lives through stories about their families, grandkids, pets, plants, crafts, etc. Thank you for all that you do!
-Elizabeth Botz, Human Resources & Training Intern

Larry Kolbrek and Judy Valen serve hot chocolate to
snowshoers at our Candlelight Snowshoe Hike, 2019.
Photo by Ruth Forsgren.

Beaver Creek Reserve started as an effort by concerned locals who saw a need for area youth to connect to nature.  More than 70 years later, Beaver Creek has grown, changed and prospered, because volunteers, much like those who started the youth camp, have a passion for conserving the environment, protecting plants and animals, and educating the public on their importance. Volunteers are the heart of our organization, we are grateful to all who volunteer whether for one hour a year, or several hours each week.  Your time and dedication is what allows us to innovate while remaining relevant, and to ensure our mission continues well into the future. Sincerest thank you to you all!
-Brianne Markin, Marketing & Development Coordinator


With only being an intern at Beaver Creek, I’m not in as much as full-time staff. However, there’s one thing that’s certain, Beaver Creek Reserve has the sweetest volunteers around. These volunteers are willing to help with literally anything and do it with a smile on their face. They all seem to be so happy, content and enthusiastic all the time. I’m inspired by all of their demeanors! They all pose a good example on how to just enjoy life and not take anything for granted.
-Amy Oldenburg, Marketing Intern

-Jeanette Kelly, Citizen Science and

Education Director

MAPS bird banders, 2018.

Since I have come to Beaver Creek Reserve our volunteers have been one of our most important resources. So much of what happens at Beaver Creek wouldn’t happen without many extra hands to help make it happen. I look forward to seeing our bird banding volunteers every week. Many of them have spent many hours training and understanding birds all of which is volunteer hours. They are dedicated to further our understanding of birds and to producing well collected data to be used by scientists around the world. I have seen them come out in all weather conditions and stay out late into the night all in the name of science. They are amazing people and are the reason for the strong banding program here at Beaver Creek Reserve.

-Tully Frain, Bird Intern

Day of Caring volunteers working
on the fire pit shelter, 2019.

Thanks to volunteers Beaver Creek was started 70 years ago! Ever since we have started, we truly couldn't have done all of the amazing things that we do without all of your help. Volunteers log thousands of hours every year that would total 5-6 full-time staff on average, that's an amazing impact! Not only are the hundreds of volunteers helping to spread our mission of "connecting people with nature" they are also dear friends and neighbors of Beaver Creek and we all look forward to seeing you each time you come to help us out. Thanks for all you do to Beaver Creek!

-Erik Keisler, Executive Director

There are so many more incredible stories and memories Beaver Creek Reserve staff have because of our volunteers. Their unique skills and willingness to always lend a hand, as well as their kindness and generosity, not only benefit the lives of the visitors who come to Beaver Creek, but also anyone who has the privilege to work with them. I am so proud of our continuously growing volunteer program at Beaver Creek Reserve, and the work volunteers have done to build our organization into what it is today. We truly couldn’t do what we do without their continued support and dedication. To all our amazing volunteers, we appreciate each and every one of you; here’s to 73 more years of environmental stewardship, education, and growth!

From all of us at Beaver Creek Reserve, thank you!

Blooming Spring

Spring Blooms - Chippewa County (image by Ruth Forsgren) 

By Ruth Forsgren

In my mind there are few things that bring me as much joy as finding the woodland spring flowers starting to bloom. I don’t know whether it is their colorful little greetings after a long, brown period or that being small they can be difficult to find and the excitement of the hunt brings me happiness. A forest that is carpeted in spring beauty will readily capture my eye and camera lens, but upon closer examination comes the triumph of finding the small, shy yellow violet or that bloodroot bloom tucked into a fallen tree that makes my walk in the spring forest an adventure.

Spring woodland -
Chippewa County 
(image by Ruth Forsgren) 

Almost all of the spring flowers blooming in the woods are called spring ephemerals. Ephemeral comes from the Greek word ephêmeros which means lasting a day. So spring ephemerals are only here for a short time, they must emerge, bloom and set seed before the leaves are out on the tree canopy above. Once the trees leaf out they shade the plants on the forest floor and many of the true ephemerals will wither leaving just the root, rhizome or corm underground to store the plants energy until the following spring when sunlight once again warms the forest floor.  I would like to share with you a few of my favorite spring ephemerals.

un-opened Bloodroot
flower
(image by Ruth Forsgren) 

Fond little girl memories of the joy of picking daisies might be what leads to bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) being one of my favorite spring flowers. The Bloodroot flower hasseveral delicate, bright white petals that surround the lemon yellow stamens and is supported by a blood red stalk. When the deeply lobed leaf first emerges it completely surrounds the flower, almost as if it is afraid that the flower cannot stand on its own.

Each flower only lasts for one, maybe two days before the seeds begin to form. The bloodroot offers no nectar but has abundant pollen that is important to bees in the honey production. The name bloodroot comes from the red liquid found in the stalk and underground in the rhizome. The red fluid is not technically sap but instead is a latex. Native Americans were reported to use the reddish-orange latex as a dye for both baskets and ceremonial body paint; many sources also reference Native Americans use of it as an insect repellant.

Bloodroot Flower (image by Ruth Forsgren)

Bloodroot is an example of a plant whose historical folk medicine uses fall under what is known as Doctrine of Signatures. The Doctrine of Signatures comes from the belief that if a natural object looks like a body part, it can be used to treat diseases that affect that part of the body. So the red blood-like liquid in this plant would of course be useful in curing blood related illnesses. Modern sciences have proven many of these associations to be incorrect and bloodroot falls into that category.

Spring Beauty along the trails at  Beaver Creek Reserve. (image by Ruth Forsgren)

Spring Beauty
(image by Ruth Forsgren) 

Another favorite spring flower of mine would have to be spring beauty (Claytonia virginica). At Beaver Creek Reserve, spring beauty carpets our lowland forest areas in a sea of bright purplish-pink. Reaching a height of three to six inches the sheer multitude of these plants are what pack quite a punch. The next time you encounter spring beauty I encourage you to stop and get down close to these delicate little flowers and you will find they are quite ornate with their pink and purple petals sporting a deeper pink vein down the middle.

Spring beauty leaves resemble grass blades but are thicker and shinier. Spring beauty attracts pollinators with an abundance of nectar as the reward for visiting the bloom.

Yellow Trout Lily (by Ruth Forsgren) 

Yellow trout lily (Erythronium americanum) with their drooping flowers also fall onto my list of spring favorites. The plant has many common names but I learned it as trout lily, so named because of the coloration of the leaves. The dark green leaves are heavily mottled with maroon markings that resemble the markings found on the sides of a brook trout. The single flower, made of sepals and petals, tilts downward with yellow on the inside and a rich bronze color on the outside.

Trout Lily bloom
(by Ruth Forsgren) 

When in full bloom the sepals and petals bend back or curl upwards exposing the brown stamens that hang down. The blooming plants will have two leaves while younger, non-blooming will often have only a single leaf. It can take 6 to 7 years before the plant matures enough to bloom.

Dutchman's Breeches
(by Ruth Forsgren) 

I also love the Dutchman’s breeches (Dicentra cucullaria). I think part of my joy is that I have never lived in an area where these grew plentiful so seeing them is a treat; but, I think part of my love is   The leaves are very frilly and soft looking, growing in almost a mound under the flowers. The nectar is well guarded, found at the very tip of the elongated spurs it requires a long proboscis (tongue) to reach it. The time of the bloom coincides with the emergence of queen bumblebees and lucky for them they have the long proboscis requires to reach the nectar.

because there may still be a tiny part of my eight-year-old self and her giggly delight in finding out that they were named because they look like old fashioned underwear, aka breeches hanging on the clothesline.

Trillium (by Ruth Forsgren)  

And I will wrap up my favorites list with two of what I consider showboats of the woodland spring flowers. The great trillium and the Jack-in-the-pulpit. The great white trillium (Trillium grandiflorium) have three large leaves that grow in a whorl with the single white bloom rising above them. The bright white flower will reach up to three to four inches across and can easily be spotted from some distance away when in bloom. The trillium will bloom a little later than some of the spring flowers, just in time for the flight of many species of bees that feed upon its nectar and pollen.

Trillium (by Ruth Forsgren) 

Jack-in-the-pulpit (Flickr image) 

The Jack-in-the-pulpit(Arisaema triphyllum) can reach heights of three feet in rich moist woodlands. The name comes from the flower that resembles the raised covered platform or pulpit in old churches that helped the speaker be heard. In this case I guess the speaker’s name is Jack. What we see and tend to call the flower is actually a modified leaf bract or spathe (the pulpit) which protects Jack. The spathe is green on the outside and purplish or purple striped on the inside and under the hood.   “Jack” is really a spadix or stalk covered with very tiny flowers and can been green or purplish. The bright red seed stalks are found in late summer.

I hope you are able to find some spring woodland ephemerals this year and can start to make your own favorites list. Please remember that these plants should remain where you find them and in fact in many cases would be illegal to pick or gather wildflowers in Wisconsin.

Spring Beauty (by Ruth Forsgren) 

Tracking Natures' Calendar

During this unsettling time, I find that I want to hold on to something that is constant.  In the midst of the Covid-19 news, home schooling my kids, working out of my new home office, preparing three meals a day, and so much more cleaning, I find comfort in seeing the American robin arrive in my backyard.  I am soothed by the wood frogs chorus, seeing the buds on the maple trees, and watching the blue bead lily push through the dirt.  In spite of everything, nature is still happening all around us.  Spring is an extraordinary time to observe, learn about, and enjoy nature.  It may be nature’s busiest time of year.

Wood frog. (image Ruth Forsgren)

Eastern bluebirds. (image Ruth Forsgren)

Have you ever noticed these types of natural events in your own backyard?  The owls begin hooting in February, Eastern bluebirds return in March, fireflies light up in June, and the       leaves begin to change in September.  This timing of events in nature is called phenology.  The word phenology comes from the Greek words phaino (to show or appear) and logos (to study).  Phenology means “the science of appearance”,  so it is the study of the timing of biological events.  These events include hibernation, migration, flowering, reproduction, and emergence. Scientist who study phenology look at the timing of biological events in relation to changes in season and climate.  Simply, phenology is nature’s own calendar of events.

Eastern bluebird arrival at my parent's house.

I grew up in southern Wisconsin on 15 acres of woods where my father introduced me to phenology.  He kept records in his bird book, noting the yearly date that birds arrived in the yard.  Although a bird book, my Dad’s records went beyond birds.  He included when the chipmunks began running through the yard (March 16), when the spring peepers began calling (March 24), when the mourning cloak fluttered by (April 8), or when we had to take care not to step on the shooting stars blooming on the path (May 15).

Front cover of my Dad's bird book.

My Dad used to say, “Let’s check the pond…the wood ducks should be here” (April 4) or “Come on, we have to clean out the wren boxes…they’re coming,” (April 25) and “We need to make the hummingbird food” (May 5).  I would think, “What is wrong with my Dad? The pond still has ice, there is snow on the ground, what hummingbirds?”  We would visit the pond, clean out those houses and make the food, and just like my Dad said, the birds would be there.

Male wood duck on pond. (image by Ruth Forsgren)

My Dad's hummingbird records.

As I grew up and had a better understanding of phenology, I loved visiting my parents’ land to watch the change of the seasons.  Our phenological activities changed a little through the years.  My parents would still clean out the nest boxes and make the hummingbird food, but now Dad would say to me, “Let’s go pick black raspberries for ice cream” (July 4) and possibly my favorite “Grab a bottle of wine, the bats are going to come out” (April 15).

Black raspberry perfect for picking. (image Ruth Forsgren)

     

Male red-headed woodpecker.
 (image Ruth Forsgren)

More than just the phenology, other changes in nature can be observed from keeping track of natural events.  Looking through my Dad’s book, I see the red-headed woodpeckers were a common visitor in the yard throughout the 80’s and 90’s.  The last sighting recorded in 2003 tells me how the habitat near my childhood home has changed: the savannahs are gone and the European starlings have moved in.  My parents’ records also note the exciting rarities that showed up.  A pileated woodpecker visited their yard in 1974.  Much to my parents’ delight, another pileated spent the winter of 2014-2015 eating away at my Mom’s homemade suet.


I love seeking out these seasonal changes in nature.  I now have a phenology calendar that I watch throughout the year, making observations in my own backyard.  Spring may be nature’s busiest time of year, so I check the calendar every day, anticipating what will be happening next.  Spring beauties begin to bloom April 27.  Sure enough, when I take my kids for a hike in our woods, they race to see who can be first to find the spring beauty--and they find it.  The long trill of the American toad can be heard in the evening on May 3.  I step outside, enjoying the warming spring nights and hear the chorus of the toads.  Observing a phenology calendar and keeping my own records connects me with nature.  It creates a more intimate relationship between me and the woods I call my home.  It helps me teach my kids to be aware of their surroundings, to notice, to be observant.  It gives me something to look forward to and it gives me sense that even in troubled times, nature is still a constant.

Spring beauty. (image Ruth Forsgren)

Phenology is not a new practice; in fact, there are records dating back thousands of years.  It is believed that the Chinese kept the first written phenology records, while the Japanese have over 1,000 years of records showing the peak of cherry blossoms.  Carolus Linnaeus, who is known for developing binomial nomenclature-- our modern system for the two-part naming of living organisms -- kept track of flowering times across Sweden.  Linnaeus’s work helped create our understanding of modern plant phenology.  Closer to home, Aldo Leopold, Wisconsin’s much loved naturalist and founder of the field of wildlife management, kept phenological records from his beloved “shack.”  His records helped form a better understanding of the world around him and are shared in his book A Sand County Almanac. Leopold wrote, “Keeping records enhances the pleasure of the search and the chance of finding order and meaning in these events.”

Sparrow arrival from my Dad's notes.

Now when many of us are home is a perfect time to begin observing the phenology unfolding in your own backyard.  If you have a Beaver Creek Reserve calendar, check the phenological events listed in there.  You can also search online for a Wisconsin phenology calendar or start your own with a simple notepad and a pen.  I challenge you to start recording the daily observation in nature that you view in your backyard.  Simply write down what you observe and the date.  Keep your notebook and your binoculars handy.  Next year, do the same.  I promise you: you will anxiously await the changes of the seasons, adding to your own phenological calendar every year.  Now go outside and get ready, the grosbeaks are coming!

My Dad's rose-breasted grosbeak records.

Species Spotlight: Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis)

A pair of Sandhill Cranes Calling (image by Ruth Forsgren)

 by Ruth Forsgren

Personally, Sandhill Cranes announce the return of spring! Here in west-central Wisconsin, come about the third week of March we can expect to start seeing these large birds flying with their long necks stretched straight out or hear their trumpet-like bugle. The return of the cranes, for a birdwatcher is just the start of something good! The birds are returning; winter will have to give up its icy grip. 

Sandhill Cranes in flight (image by Ruth Forsgren)

There are six subspecies of Sandhill Cranes in North America, Wisconsin is the nesting grounds for the Greater Sandhill Crane. Historically, thanks to over-hunting and habitat loss the Sandhill Cranes became a rare sight in Wisconsin. In 1936, Franklin S Heniker of Madison reported to the first North American Wildlife Conference that there were an estimated 25 nesting pair of Sandhills in Wisconsin. In 2019 the Greater Sandhill Crane Sanctuary, in an interview with WI Public Radio reported that the population of Greater Sandhill Cranes numbered between 70,000 to 100,000 with approximately half of the population nesting in Wisconsin.

Sandhill Cranes are large birds. Wisconsin birds on average stand between four and five feet in height, have a wingspan of six to seven feet. They have long legs, neck and beak. Males and females look alike, both exhibit red on the front part of the head from the beak up and around the eyes.

Both males and female have
red on the head.
(image by Ruth forsgren) 

Their diets are varied depending upon what is available. They will eat insects, worms, plant tubers, frogs, and seeds among other things.

Staining feathers with mud
(image by Ruth Forsgren) 

When they first return from their wintering grounds the cranes are slate grey in color but as they return to their nesting territories they begin to stain each feather with mud giving them the overall brown appearance. What a great way to disguise yourself, make yourself the color of your surroundings. As a birdwatcher I know there are many times I might not have noticed the cranes in a marsh if they hadn’t moved and drawn my attention to them.

Cranes all over the world are known for their elaborate courtship dances, Sandhills are no different. The pair will take turns bowing then leaping into the air with their wings held out to their sides, during the dance they are also calling to and circling one another. The unison courtship calls are loud (click here to listen) and can be heard for up to 2 miles on a calm morning. Once they have danced the nesting takes place. Both partners help build the nest in marshes, usually near open water in a grassy or reedy area. The nest consists of piles of available plant materials such as cattails, sedges or grasses. The finished nest can reach five feet across. The female will lay one or two eggs and in northern WI they will hatch about mid-May. The colts (baby cranes) are in my opinion one of those so ugly they are cute critters. The fuzzy, yellowish-brown colts are able to leave the nest within eight hours of hatching and can even swim.

Sandhill cranes with colts (image by Ruth Forsgern)

The family will stay together for nine to ten months. From Wisconsin, the young migrate south to Florida or southern Georgia with their parents. The family may even make the return flight together before the parents chase off the youngsters. Cranes will usually mate when they are between four and five years old. When they are forced out by the parents young cranes will form flocks of about 20 individuals and these are known as bachelor flocks. The bachelor flocks will hang out, feed and rest together but usually in fields away from the marsh nest sites.

In fall, before migration the cranes will stage. This means that they gather in huge flocks numbering into the thousands. It is quite an awesome sight and in Wisconsin there are a few areas known for these large gatherings. A few areas in Wisconsin where you can witness this spectacle are: Crex Meadows Wildlife Area, White River Marsh and Necedah National Wildlife Refuge.

So as you visit marshy areas this spring keep your eyes peeled for movement among the reeds, you just might find a Sandhill Crane. 

Sandhill Cranes staging during migration, Platte River, NE. (image by Ruth Forsgren) 

Sandhill Crane catching frogs  (image by Ruth Forsgren) 

Sandhill Cranes at dawn, Nebraska  (image by Ruth Forsgren)

Make Your Own Bingo Search Game

Species Spotlight: Wood Frog ( Lithobates sylvaticus)

By Ruth Forsgren

Wood Frog on the forest floor at Brunet Island State Park
(image by Ruth Forsgren)

For me personally, Wood Frogs and their friends Spring Peepers and Chorus Frogs are the true harbingers of spring. Robins, Bluebirds and some other early migrants will return at approximately the same time each year regardless of the weather. The frogs on the other hand must wait for temperatures that are warm enough. Starting in late March as the ice leaves the area waterways I look for a string of three days in a row with temperatures in the upper 50’s (or higher) and especially if the temperatures are accompanied by sunshine, then I will start listening for frogs in the evenings. When listening for frogs remember that only Kermit and his west coast, Hollywood friends will speak “Ribbit”. The Wood Frog’s song is described as sounding like ducks when they are feeding. I think if you listen carefully and use a little imagination you will hear them saying “lick it up”, but they say it very, very quickly. They do not project their voice as well as some frogs so you have to be pretty close to hear them.

When Wood Frogs sing you can see the inflated air sacs on
both sides of the head, behind the ear. (image by Ruth Forsgren) 

Of the early frogs, I especially like the Wood Frog. They have such an interesting way to get through the winter and I’ll get to that in a second. First off let me more properly introduce you to the Wood Frog. As frogs go they are a small to medium sized frog, reaching a snout to vent (where an animal goes to the bathroom) length between 1.5 to 3 inches. Their skin is usually a brown to red-brown color but can vary to gray or green. Wood Frogs look like they are wearing a dark mask that extends from their nose, over the eyes, ears and then curves down to the front leg. The back legs are usually striped and these stripes in combination with the mask reminds me of a raccoon.

Their preferred habitat is right in their name, Wood Frogs can be found in wet wooded areas, bogs, wet meadows and on the tundra. (They are one of the only frogs that can survive on the tundra). Even their scientific name gives away their habitat. Lithobates comes from the Greek words: litho, meaning stone and bates, which means that walks or haunts; sylvaticus comes from Latin and means pertaining to the woods or forest.

Back to my favorite thing about Wood Frogs and the reason that they are the one of the only frogs that live in the Arctic is their ability to freeze during hibernation.(click for video) During hibernation Wood Frogs enter a state of suspended animation where their heart stops beating and they stop breathing. They do this by making changes at the cellular level as weather gets colder, in a sense they produce their own anti-freeze. The liver makes a glucose product that helps to support the body’s cells by preventing cell collapse from water loss. After spending what can be several months frozen, the Wood Frogs body “wakes up” and is ready to go without any muscle loss or atrophy. It boggles my mind that if scientists can unlock this secret we may be able to freeze people that need a heart transplant until there is a suitable one available. Total game changer!

Once they come out of hibernation the Wood Frogs are ready to mate. They will move from the forest floor to woodland pools, flooded ditches, marshes or other water areas that are mainly fish free. (Wood Frogs are tasty little snacks for fish.) The females lay egg masses that can contain between 1,000 and 2,000 eggs. They attach the mass to a plant stem or stick if there is one available.  

Wood Frog egg mass
(image from Flickr)

After a few days the mass will flatten out, turn green from algae and float on the surface looking like pond scum. Depending upon temperature the eggs will hatch in as little as 10 days if it is warm or in a month if it is cooler. Tadpoles take about 2 months to metamorphose into a frog. After mating the adult frogs will leave the ponds and return to the woods in search of their prey, which includes beetles, spiders, worms and other invertebrates. During the warmer summer months, they are primarily nocturnal (active/hunting at night) but during the cooler nights of spring and fall they become diurnal (active during the day).

So during the first warmer days of spring be sure to keep an ear open for the “lick it up” call of the Wood Frog.