American Toad (Bufo americanus)
Pitch black, heavy clouds and driving rain. The absolute best springtime conditions to venture into swamps and bogs of Massachusetts’ South Coast to spy on the ardent rituals of awakening amphibians. The Turtle Journal vehicle splashed through bottomless puddles. Our lights probed the gooey darkness as we crawled along a cratered one lane road half a mile through flooded wetlands to reach the abandoned Goldwitz cranberry bog. Our arrival was greeted by a riotous cacophony of spring peepers, American toads and wood frogs.
 
American Toad from Nighttime Goldwitz Bog
We donned our field gloves, grabbed our sampling nets, snapped on our flashlights and plodded through several inches of rain as we searched the bog channels for creatures of the night. Spring peepers were everywhere, and we decided to net one of them last because they are so difficult to restrain in the darkness. Sue Wieber Nourse spotted an American toad and snagged it for closer examination.
Examining American Toad
The Eastern American Toad is a medium size amphibian and fairly common in the wetlands of Southeastern Massachusetts. This specimen proved quite cooperative during documentation and was quickly released back into the bog channel to continue its mating rituals.
Spring Peeper (Pseudoacris crucifer)
Don Lewis netted two spring peepers for closer examination. They are brown, tan or beige, and can easily be distinguished by the dark “X” or cross on their back; hence, the name “crucifer” or cross-bearer.
Spring Peeper from Nighttime Goldwitz Bog
These tiny frogs, ranging from less than an inch to maybe an inch and a half, are the most common voices in South Coast wetlands during the spring.Â
Examining Spring Peeper
So small, they are quite difficult to control and photograph at night without harming the animal. We snapped a couple of quick photographs and captured a short video clip as they escaped from the back of the Turtle Journal vehicle. Within a wink, the peepers had disappeared into the night storm. Drenched, but contented, we also disappeared into the darkness as we retraced our way back to Turtle Journal central.