This past March, Nathan Bolls alerted me to an opportunity to further feed my interest in everything nature. The Manhattan Zoo was about to conduct training on how to identify the frogs and toads of Riley County. Once trained and tested, participants could qualify new observation sites and submit observation data, all to contribute to the Frog Watch Program.

It turns out that the health of earthly ecosystems is often first revealed by the health of the amphibians there in. A reduced number of frogs and toads worldwide has prompted the Association of Zoo's to reach out to amateurs using strict protocols to monitor the numbers, rangers and general health of amphibian species.

I successfully completed the training and find myself a certified frog watcher. Of the 11 species of frogs and toads believed to be present in Riley County, I have identified four at the Bayer Pond. They are the bull frog, the plains leapond frog, the copes grey tea frog and the northern cricket frog. They are identified not by their appearance, but by their distinctive mating calls.

I often collect data no less than 30 minutes after sundown—it takes only five minutes. If you would like to accompany me sometime just let me know.