MAMP 2008

2008 Season Updates

5/9/08

Great first run in the north..see below...
(and response below from me)

Hello, Aram and Susan,

I just did my first run at Umbazooksus last night, the eighth. (Date-wise, this is as late as I've usually made my first run). It dipped to 44 degrees and the wind was marginal - up and down - but after driving for three hours to get there we ran it anyway. Water everywhere was exceptionally high, and there was quite a lot of scattered old snow in the woods and along the road, especially in the evergreens and low places - by far the most I've ever seen on a first run.

The wood frogs are going full blast up there now, mostly 3's, a couple of 2's. Often I hear toads trilling on my first run at some of the stops, but not this year. My one big thrill was a single - tada! - leopard frog, which did his weird thing close by amidst a bedlam of peepers and wood frogs at my best stop, the biggest wetland on my route. And yes, it was most definitely a leopard; no one could question that hair-raising basso profundo snore. I'd never heard one before except on tapes. Isn't this a bit early for them? Also, it was about 10:00 PM, which is late in the day, from what I've read. I was really delighted.

I've been disappointed by my ho-hum selection of wood and green frogs, peepers, the rare mink frog, and more distant bull frogs. That's probably my excitement for the year. Well - we did watch a black bear for a while and drove up on the usual moose or two.

Judy Givens

Perfect time for leopards!!!--Aram.

5/6/08

Northerners should be doing first runs IF you have passable roads ( a few do not).....do the best you can given you do not have 4 lane highways running through the North Woods.

Southern, western, and coastal Mainers should be documenting toads, early grey tree frogs, pickerels at this point. As usual, a lot of us will miss the leopard frogs. They were chorusing downeast one week after the wood frog run so often they fall between run 1 and 2.

Central maine folks can think about run 2 ...check notes from last year for tips about when best to run your route.

I am north of Old Town and planning on my second run next week on a warm night.
thanks for all the tips from those of you who write in. Always interested in other wildlife encounters as well!

Cheers, Aram

4/28/08

Hi all,
Southern mainers (and south coast) should think about 2nd runs (if your 2 wk window for run 1 is up) soon. Amercian toads, leopard frogs, and even a grey tree frog have been recorded.

Many central Maine route runners have had toads and leopard frogs on Run 1 as well. Seems early for toads, but they seem to be out. Remember to listen carefully for leopard and pickerel frogs...especially in stops with open land around them or extensive marshes. Leopards often sing under water and they have a funny "chuckle" whereas pickerel sound like someone running a finger across a comb (faster beat than leopard snore).

The word from the County is that things in Fort Kent are frozen and under snow; I will let you know when things start calling in the extreme north. Wood frogs ARE singing 35 miles north of Millinocket. Judy (one of our northern runners) suggests that frogs in this part of the world MAY be in full chorus by the end of this week.

Western MT folks say it is still a bit early...end of the week maybe for Run 1?

Aram.

4/25/08

Hi all,
Central Maine is ready for first runs...some toads have even been heard. Next week is supposed to be cooler evening temperatures so if you can, make a run tonight or this weekend. If it gets below 40, the wood frogs may not be as vocal.

Second runs in southern Maine need to be at least 2 wks after the first runs. Targets are American toads (already heard), leopard frogs, and maybe an early grey tree frog. I will let you know when to go although reports on these animals from southern and coastal maine are helpful to me.

Take care, Aram

4/21/08

Hi all,
Southern, Coastal, and Downeast Maine routes should have been or should be run as soon as possible. Central Maine and the Mountains will still need a week. We have a little action in the Orono/Bangor region, but not full choruses yet. I would expect the warmer areas of central Maine to "Pop" this week, especially if we get a little rain.
Leopard frogs have been spotted and calling (not full choruses) in Downeast Maine.....

As always, calling can be very route specific..it takes longer for animals in evergreen or mixed forests etc. so keep your ears open in your neighborhood. Wood frogs and peepers have been calling during the day as well! Guess they are excited winter is over too!!

Aram.

4/14/08

This report in from North Berwick: this means coastal sections can do runs next good warm night but inland may want to still wait a week for peaks....calling in Scarborough and Brunswick as well....

Animals starting to call in Acadia National Park as well....

Thanks,

Aram.

The North Berwick Run #1 was accomplished last Saturday night with lots of peepers and woodies. Data will be entered today. Yeah! Still snow in parts of Tatnic though. Heard woodcock several times too.

Sue Bickford
GIS/Natural Resource Specialist, WNERR

4/8/08

Rains this week (thursday or so) should get things moving in coastal and southern Maine. Don't do the run yet...listen locally. Remember, we want the peak for the first run and temperatures to stay in late forties if possible through the evening (I know, that is a lot to ask).

Aram.

4/4/08

Welcome back everyone. I hope you had a fine winter with lots of skiing. Things are finally beginning to melt and it seems as if wood frogs and spotted salamanders have been spotted crossing roads in southern York county. As of Wednesday, there was no movement yet in Scarborough..that may change with these warm rains upon us.

Please email me southern updates. I would say first runs in extreme south and downeast coast may be good in a week or so for the peak; central maine will be later in April...stand by.

Aroostook? Well, we know how you folks are doing. We won't discuss it.

If you have friends who are jealous of yours, click here to see the routes are currently open.

Aram.