Originally published in Lake of the Woods Area News, Volume 55, Number 1, Early Spring 2025
Spring is a special time to observe frogs, toads, and salamanders as they emerge from winter dormancy and prepare to breed. Their chorus of calls fills the evening air, creating an enchanting symphony that celebrates the arrival of warmer spring weather. With a little preparation, patience, and a sense of adventure, you can witness one of nature’s most fascinating seasonal events.
What you’ll need:
- rubber boots (for wading through wet areas)
- a strong flashlight (to help spot frogs and salamanders)
- a camera or smartphone (to document your discoveries)
- a sound recorder (optional, but useful for identifying calls)
- an amphibian field guide or app (such as “Audubon Reptiles and Amphibians” or amphibiaweb.org
- a notebook and pencil for recording observations
- a small, clear container (for briefly observing tadpoles or salamanders before releasing them)
Best time and place to look
The first warm, rainy nights of spring are ideal for amphibian-watching. Frogs and toads usually start calling when night-time temperatures reach at least 8°C. Their calls are loudest at dusk and during the first few hours of darkness. Windless, damp evenings following rain offer the best chances of hearing a full chorus. These are also the conditions when salamanders migrate to breeding sites, often traveling across roads near woodlands and wetlands.
How to find frogs and toads
- Arrive before dark: Get to the wetland just before sunset to familiarize yourself with the area and listen to the sounds of nature transitioning from day to night.
- Listen for calls: Before searching, take a moment to enjoy the chorus of frogs and toads. Try to identify different species by their distinct calls using a field guide or app.
- Approach slowly and quietly: As you move toward the sound, the frogs will likely stop calling. Find a spot to sit quietly. Soon they will start up again.
- Use your flashlight: Once calls resume, scan the water and surrounding vegetation. Look for the reflective shine of amphibian eyes or the movement of vocal sacs inflating as they call.
- Take photos and observe: If you spot a frog or toad, observe its size, colouration, and behaviour. Photograph it using a flashlight for extra illumination if needed.
- Search for egg masses and tadpoles: During the day, return to the same wetland to look for jelly-like frog eggs or clusters of toad eggs in long strands. As the season progresses, watch for tadpoles developing in the water.
How to spot salamanders
- Search woodland roads: On warm, rainy nights, slowly drive or walk along back roads near swamps or flooded ditches, keeping an eye out for salamanders crossing.
- Walk and observe: Once you find a good spot, walk carefully along the roadside. Shine your flashlight on wet areas and pools.
- Look for mating behaviours: Some salamanders, like spotted salamanders, perform an underwater courtship dance called “congressing” as they sway, swim and wiggle. If you’re lucky, you might witness this incredible event.
- Check under logs and rocks: During the day, explore damp wooded areas by carefully flipping over logs or rocks to find hidden salamanders. Be sure to gently return the objects to their original position.
Why amphibian-watching matters
Frogs, toads, and salamanders are important indicators of ecosystem health. Their permeable skin makes them sensitive to pollution, habitat changes, and climate shifts. Observing and documenting them not only deepens our appreciation of nature but also contributes valuable data to conservation efforts.
Amphibians play an essential role in food webs, serving as both predators (eating insects and other invertebrates) and prey (for birds, snakes, and mammals). Their presence helps maintain ecological balance in wetlands and forests.
Amphibian-watching is a simple yet rewarding way to connect with nature.
By taking the time to observe and appreciate these remarkable creatures, you help ensure that their voices continue to echo through the wetlands for generations to come.
Fun activities for amphibian watching
1. Frog call and observation challenge
Before heading out, listen to recordings of different frog and toad calls. Challenge yourself or your group to identify as many species as possible in the wild. To learn more about which frogs are calling and the sounds they make go to: naturewatch.ca/frogwatch/ontario If you find a frog in the daylight, take a photo with our phone and use iNaturalist or Seek (two free apps) to help you identify it.
2. Sound recording
Use your phone or a digital recorder to capture the nighttime chorus. Later, compare your recordings to online databases to verify species identification.
3. Nature journaling
Bring a notebook to sketch and describe the amphibians you find. Note their size, colors, and any interesting behaviours. You can also write about the environment—what’s the weather like? Are other animals present?
4. Mini Bioblitz
Turn your adventure into a mini Bioblitz by documenting all the wildlife you encounter. Use apps like “iNaturalist” to log your observations and contribute to Citizen Science.
5. Habitat exploration
Visit the wetland during the day to look for amphibian egg masses, tadpoles, or juvenile frogs. Observe how the habitat supports their life cycle.
6. Create an amphibian-friendly backyard
If you have space at home, consider building a small backyard pond to support frogs and other wildlife. A shallow pond with native plants can provide a breeding space and shelter for amphibians.
7. Amphibian-themed art and storytelling
Use your observations as inspiration to create amphibian-themed drawings, paintings, or short stories. Imagine what life is like for a tadpole transforming into a frog or a salamander on its nighttime journey.
Contribute to citizen science
If you want to support amphibian conservation, consider participating in “Snapshots in Time,” a Citizen Science project that tracks the timing of spotted salamander and wood frog breeding. This long-term study helps researchers understand how climate change affects amphibian reproduction. Learn more at oriannesociety.org. To find out more about citizen science projects in Ontario go to: ontarionature.org/programs/community-science
