Frog choruses fill night air

#Middlebury #SpringPeepers

Spring peepers like the one in the small photo below share Turtle Pond with other amphibians and reptiles. You can relax on a bench here while you wait for one to appear. (Janine Sullivan-Wiley photo)

By JANINE SULLIVAN-WILEY

As we enter May in Middlebury, the return of green leaves and the profusion of flowering trees and shrubs delight our eyes. The chorus song of the Spring Peepers (Pseudacris c. crucifer) graces (or beleaguers, some might say) our ears. These tiny chirpers – only about an inch long – are widely distributed in Connecticut and can be heard anyplace that is swampy or marshy with woods nearby – easily found here.

The very vocal Spring Peepers’ calls signal the arrival of warmer weather. Their small size belies their loud call. (Paul Benjunas photo)

Spring Peepers are only thumb-size, generally with a brown, tan, gray or green back with a distinctive (should you be able to see one) “X” shape on their backs. They have some ability to change their coloring to match their surroundings. Tiny suction cups on the tips of their tiny toes enable them to climb grasses, twigs and even trees. They spend most of the daylight hours hiding under leaf litter.

During their three- to four-year lifespan, they live remarkable lives. Their spring chorus is one of my favorite sounds to hear, as they try with passionate frequency (up to 20 calls a minute) to attract a mate. Their calls begin late in the day, as the sun is setting, and continue during the night as the males call to females, looking for love. In some places, their chorus can be positively deafening. After mating, the females lay their eggs underwater and by summer their enthusiastic chorus fades as they move into the forest to go about their business, eating small bugs like beetles, ants, flies and spiders.

Their winter strategy is impressive: they hide under a log or tree bark and – once the temperature drops below 32 degrees – begin producing a natural antifreeze in their blood. They can freeze up to 70 percent of their bodies and remain OK as long as their essential organs are preserved. At that point, their heart may stop beating and they may appear to be dead. Come spring, they thaw out, heal what needs to be healed and prepare to again herald spring for us on warm evenings. They do take a break when the temperatures dip too much, but come back with a (albeit tiny) roar when it warms up again.

If you want to see as well as hear one, it will take patience, skill and a sharp eye. I have tried … but sadly have never succeeded. According to those who have, the best technique is to go out near dusk and track one down by ear. They may go silent when you approach, but stay still and they should resume their song. Watch for the inflation and deflation of the vocal sack. Good luck!

Some Middlebury Land Trust properties that are good for hearing (and potentially seeing) these amazing, tiny creatures include Turtle Pond, Lake Elise, Sperry Pond and Fenn Pond. (See www.middleburylandtrust.org for locations). As you wander the marshes, keep your eyes peeled for some of the other amphibian denizens that are easier to spot, such as pickerel and leopard frogs. A good resource about these and other frogs is https://tinyurl.comy/4tlod4z. For more information about the land trust, visit www.middleburylandtrust.org. Contact this writer at jswspotlight@gmail.com.