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Home » Blog » Called It: Frogs

Called It: Frogs

March 17, 2020 Tips

Called It: Frogs

As dusk and spring showers fall over our county, the croaking chorus of frogs rise. Learn how to tell them apart.
Audio recordings courtesy of the Indiana DNR and Hoosier Herpetological Society.

WOOD FROG
[ Lithobates sylvaticus ]
Hear the Call
ID Tips: Look for its iconic “robber’s mask” markings over the eyes and cheeks.
Unfrogettable Fact: In winter, these cool critters freeze into nearly solid “frogscicles”. Their bodies survive extreme ice exposure by producing a natural anti-freeze that protects their cells.

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elkhartcountyparks

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#elkhartcountyparks #bonneyvillemill #cobuscreekcountypark #oxbowcountypark #riverpreservecountypark #defriesgarden #elkhartcountyhistory

Interested in the constellations and the night sky Interested in the constellations and the night sky?  Join a naturalist for an evening of constellation history, telescope viewing (weather permitting) and snacks.  This will also be a great opportunity to see the Perseids meteor shower. 

Get registered here - https://elkhartcountyparks.org/events/summer-astronomy-8-15-25/
Curious about birds? Join our free guided hike at Curious about birds? Join our free guided hike at Boot Lake Nature Preserve tomorrow morning starting at 8. Here's a few of the birds we're likely to encounter (captions below).🌻🌾🪺
Event Details: https://www.facebook.com/events/937753365008412

✨🪺 BIRDS OF BOOT LAKE🌻✨
⬥ PIC 1: Song Sparrow (Melospiza Melodia). One of our most abundant sparrows that live here year-round. Look for blotchy triangular chin markings, a streaky belly, and watch for the way it pumps its tail in flight to spot this sparrow. 

⬥ PIC 2: Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius). While mature males are deep orange, females and young birds are lemon yellow. Our Wed. Bird Walk group saw this fledgling a couple years back at Boot Lake. The mother flew in to offer it a praying mantis, but it seems this baby was a bit of a picky eater and preferred to play with it's food, rather than eat it. 

⬥ PIC 3: Sandhill Cranes (Antigone canadensis). Known for their epic migrations, we're lucky enough to see this state-protected bird year-round at Boot Lake NP.

⬥ PIC 4: Henslow's Sparrow (Centronyx henslowii). You'll often hear this secretive sparrow long before you see it. Listen for soft hiccups and look for a sun-bleached sparrow with dashed streaks perched far out in the prairie. Their songs carry some distance, so spotting scopes will be handy to aid in seeing and better appreciating this state-endangered bird.
 
⬥ PIC 5: Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas). Listen for their distinctive "Witchity-witchity-witchity" song and alert calls that sound just like a rubber band snapping.

⬥ PIC 6: Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris). While we're used to seeing hummers in our yards and gardens, prairie edges are another fantastic place to spot them. 

⬥ PIC 7: Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla). Follow the sound of the bouncing ball to find this petite sparrow. It's trilled song rises and falls in exactly the same pattern as a ping pong ball dropped.

⬥ PIC 8: Sedge Wren (Cistothorus stellaris). Tiny, but mighty, this compact wren packs a punch when it sings. Its loud rapid-fire chatter sounds a bit like a machine gun going off.
We still have spaces open for our Forest Bathing c We still have spaces open for our Forest Bathing class this Saturday morning. 

Get signed up here - https://elkhartcountyparks.org/events/forest-bathing-8-9-25/
Ever tried a chocolate-covered cricket or mealworm Ever tried a chocolate-covered cricket or mealworm cookie?  If not, give one a try at Bug Night tomorrow evening at Cobus Creek County Park. 
6:30-8:30pm....only $5/vehicle.

#BugNight
🐝🪱🐛🦋🐞🐜🪰🪲🦟🦗🕷
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Who We Are

Inspiring connections with culture and nature.

Upcoming Events
Forest Bathing
8.09.2025 @ 10:00 AM River Preserve
Sweet Cycle Ride
8.09.2025 @ 6:00 PM Called It: Frogs
Tree ID Hike
8.14.2025 @ 5:00 PM River Preserve
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