MAMP 2011

2011 Season Updates

June 6, 2011

Just to confirm, we do want everyone to stick with the official NAAMP protocol, which designates from half hour after sunset until midnight as the official time for surveys. When the protocol was developed, we knew we would be missing the early-morning peaks...but like many citizen science efforts, NAAMP has to balance data collection with the constraints of real people with kids, jobs, lives, etc. The analysis end can take into account the peak calling times and patterns over the night, and make some inferences about what we're hearing before midnight during MAMP surveys.

And that reminded me that I forgot to distribute a NEW datasheet this spring...it's not asking for any different information in terms of frogs, but NAAMP does want to know three more things about you: the time you leave home, the time you return home, and the miles driven for your route. This will help NAAMP (and us) in using volunteer time and dollars as match for grants. We've always estimated this information based on averages for the group, but this will provide better documentation for us (and will probably show we've been underestimating all along!)

Please use this for the rest of the season and on...I will get it posted to our website as well. Thanks for all your help! Susan

Susan

June 3, 2011

Dear Mampers,

All parts of the state now should have completed Run#2..even our northern friends. Run #3 targets green, bull, and mink frogs. Amanda Shearin, one of my PhD students who is defending in the fall, has done a side study on calling times of all our species using audio recorders. We will be submitting a paper on this to wetlands this month. Some results I thought you might find of interest are peak calling times for our Run 3 target species and the best time to record full choruses...Unfortunately, the answer is the wee hours of the morning....1 -2 am with peak choruses even later (earlier!).

Run 3 is generally in mid to late June....even early July in the north. I will be out of the country June 4-26 so you can check previous data sheets, the MAMP data online, or keep an ear to local frog ponds. Susan will be around to help out. this is a less "fussy" run in that they call a long time and they are not as sensitive to temperature fluctuations.

Take care, Aram

see below....

Bull:
Peak presence detection time=275 min after sunset (2403 to 0100 h depending on sunset time)
Peak CI 3 detection=319 min after sunset (2447 h to 0144 h depending on sunset time)

Green
Peak presence detection time=335 min after sunset (0103 -0205 h depending on sunset time)
Peak CI 3 detection=325 min after sunset (2453 h to 0155 h depending on sunset time)

Mink (this one is going to hurt!!!!)
Peak presence detection time=298 min after sunset (0101 -0128 h depending on sunset time)
Peak CI detection=502 min after sunset (0425 h to 0452 h depending on sunset time)

May 20, 2011

Hi all,

Northern Maine and the Western Mountains are in the thick of wood frog breeding so it is safe to do Run 1 now in these areas. Run 2 can be completed in all other regions. Grey tree frogs are calling in the greater Bangor area already..has anyone heard toads yet???

May 9, 2011

Dear Mampers,

Southern Mainers should be running Run 2, although check your dates for last year and the call codes you got to see where your peaks were last year. Leopard and pickerel frogs, American toads, and grey tree frogs may be heard this run. I have not heard these species yet in central Maine. Northern Maine and the mountains---wood frogs have started calling and Run 1 can be done. The snow is still deep in the mountains,but ponds have thawed and wood frogs are calling.

Please send any reports you have of singing activity in the south..thanks,

Aram

April 26, 2011

Dear chorus monitors,

Southern and coastal should have completed Run 1; Run 2 (toads, leopards/pickerels) will be in a couple weeks....we will keep you posted).

Central Maine: wood frogs in Bangor/Orono region peaked last week except for the cooler spots. Where I am in Amherst (half an hour north of Ellsworth), they are just in full choruses this week so Run 1 should be completed this week for the central region if it has not been done yet.

Northern Maine and Western Mountains: hmmm, were you expecting spring? Well, hope you are patient. Will be early May...I would appreciate any consultants or others with tips to report the first stirrings...

Will be in touch. Enjoy the long awaiting reaffirmation of life after a long , hard winter.

Aram

P.S. I appreciate and enjoy your feedback and even videos folks have sent. Thanks.

April 18, 2011

Hi all,

Southern and coastal Maine should have completed Run #1. Central Maine has wood frog activity in the deciduous woods or more open lands. Evergreen wooded pools are still frozen in some sections. Best to check some local pools in order to decide if you should make a run yet. Keep an eye on the temperature and try to plan runs when it is in the 40's at least. Wood frogs in Orono are breeding and vocal. Happy to hear about other reports....Northern Maine and western mountains...well, your spring will not happen until May!

Aram

April 13, 2011

The Wiscasset Route has been run with success!!!  I was working in Yarmouth last night and there were full choruses of peepers and wood frogs....Southern and Coastal maine can surely make runs this week if temps hold in 40's and 50's.  Frogs were calling before dark!  Central and western Maine should still wait a bit.

Enjoy the music...Aram

April 8, 2011

Hi All,

We are back again. My vernal pool at home is frozen and under half a foot of snow BUT there are reports of peepers calling along the Penobscot, wood frogs in Camden, and salamanders on the prowl in central maine. Southern Maine and coastal zones should be popping next week after we get some warmer nights and more rain. At this point, please send me your reports as you hear things in local pools so I can share with others. I will be in southern Maine early next week and will be able to give you more information then. Thanks!

(By the way, Bill Green expressed interest but nothing has been set up so don't get too excited!)

Aram.