Surveying has been great. We've found long-toed eggs (AMMA) at the Mint Farm in Longview, and red-legged frog (RAAU) egg masses west of Longview up Spruce Creek, at Germany Creek and Nelson Creek and in a cow pasture in Kalama. Northwestern Salamanders are laying in Germany Creek and South Nemah. From Corkran and Thoms's Amphibians of Oregon, Washington and British Columbia: WINTER (Some periods of freezing weather; often December to mid February.) During periods of warm rain:
- Long-toed Salamanders gather at breeding sites and lay their eggs. Sudden, prolonged, sub-freezing weather can kill both adults and eggs.
- The first Red-legged Frogs lay their eggs.
- The low croaking of Pacific Treefrogs can be heard away from the ponds, but they are not yet breeding.
Early Spring (Frost some nights, some sun, some late snows; often late February and March) During periods of warm rain:
- The first Northwestern Salamanders lay their eggs.
- The last Long-toed Salamanders lay their eggs, and many of the earlier eggs hatch.
- The last Red-legged frogs lay their eggs.
- Pacific Treefrogs begin chorusing and may begin to lay eggs.
It looks like we may be in early spring. This sure describes what we're seeing out there in Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties. Looks like chorus frog eggs have been found in Clark County.