Tweeters,

I too would like to hear about frogs, salamanders, toads, turtles, snakes, and
lizards that people observe. Frog and salamander breeding season is upon us.
Near Tumwater (upper Black River) I found red-legged frog eggs as early as
January 13 and spotted frogs in amplexus were found on February 2. Elsewhere
in the lowlands, I expect that long-toed salamanders may be nearly done
breeding.

However, the Pacific tree frogs are beginning to croak and their resounding
choruses will be increasing each passing week. Alas, the western toad is
believed to be nearly gone from the western Washington lowlands. I would
be pleased if someone could indicate places where they can still be found.
I did encounter western toads at Oak Patch Lake and Koeneman Lake in Kitsap
County last summer so there may be some hope, at least on the less developed
west side of Puget Sound. Likewise, spotted frogs (which take a trained eye
to differentiate from the common red-legged frog) are virtually gone from
western Washington.

So, if it doesn't over-tax an already busy list, I would read messages on
this subject enthusiastically. (Maybe you could stick them in as a footnote
after some substantial discussion of a bird-related matter).

Kelly McAllister
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
mcallkrm at dfw.wa.gov

On Fri, 9 Feb 1996, M. Patrick wrote:

> I would like to have an informal survey of breeding locations for
> Pacific tree-frogs (are they called cricket-frogs now?) and western
> toads, as well as long-toed and other salamanders.