Recap on last month's TXPW-UTB Herp W.S. & Frog Call Count.

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: : The morning consisted of a TXPW presentation on the Texas Horned Lizard Watch. We learned how to collect data on TX Horned Lizard Sitings and absence from sitings in certain areas. We also learned to document the presence of Fire Ants in TX Horned Lizard areas so we can later see if there is a positive or negative correlation between the two. Populations of TX Horned Lizards have been declining for a few decades now and there probably are several other factors involved than just Fire Ants. It was just interesting how the data was taken and may later be used by TXPW. : For lunch, we socialized with other Environmental Groups. I had a nice conversation with some people from Reynosa which invited me to go looking for Herps there someday. Apparently, they tell me the best place to look is at the dump where Tarantulas, Snakes, and Turtles can be found. Of course the area is a restricted area. : In the afternoon, TXPW gave a second presentation on Frogs. We all are aware of the reports of declining World Amphibian populations. In this presentation we learned to ID frogs by their calls and then take call count data. We also received tapes of frog calls to learn. Experts in the audience included Dave Martin and Ken King with some really cool frog stories and frog facts for the Rio Grande Valley. : Later that night, we met at Sabal Palm Grove for an actual Frog Call Count. We treked off into the pond. Jimmy Paz lead the way. Some people sank into the mud and lost their shoes. Annetrea Cassens caught one Gulf Coast Toad and Ken King caught one Mexican Treefog. The MX Treefrogs were calling the greatest with a rating of 3 or 4. The data was also collected by TXPW so they can study Valley Frog populations over time. : It was a great Herp Day for all attending. VHS members included Al & Julie Parra, Dorothy Earley, Brent & Annetrea Cassens, Dave Martin, and myself, Joe Rigdon. Our friend Mel Pineda was also in attendance along with several other nature lovers. Brent & Annetrea also brought drinks to donate on behalf of VHS. The Presenters from TXPW were Anne Miller & Lee Ann Linam and these ladies gave an excellent workshop. I would like to thank all who helped out. : I am sorry to be posting this event to share so late. Leaving Brownsville turned out to be disasterous since I had a blow out and overturned. I would like to thank the strangers who spoke little English and helped me out of the wreak. I would like to also thank the few of you that inquired and wished me well. : God Bless You All : Sincerely : Joe Rigdon

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