Amphibian surveys at Xwaaqw’um
On a cool morning in March, Stqeeye’ Land Stewards met with BCWF coordinators and amphibian biologist Elke Wind to get serious about amphibian monitoring. With partial cloud and close to zero temperatures in prior nights, the team was not sure what they would find in the small ponds constructed by BCWF on Salt Spring Island. As we moved away from the parked vehicles and noticed daffodils opening despite the cold temperatures, we had great hopes for what we would find during the three day training session.
Stqeeye’ Land Steward and Aquatic Technician Tyee Joseph, Wetland Restoration Coordinator Rachel Bevington, and Conservation Decisions Lab Technician Aidan Haigh were able to take part in a rich training program offered for free with BCWF coordinators Alyssa Purse, Cassie Friesen and Kendall McLaughlin.
We learned safe and effective amphibian trapping techniques, visual surveys and identification from the very best teacher, Elke! It was cold and fun, and we found four species of amphibians in the three BCWF constructed ponds.
On the last day of March, Tyee, Rachel, Aidan, Andrew and Megan worked our way through all four of the constructed wetlands at Xwaaqw’um and we were rewarded with finding Northern Red-legged frog eggs in Wetland 1 and 2 this spring!
Elke showing us how it is done!
Red-legged frogs in amplexus with egg mass just in front of them.
Tyee and his Giant Water Bug!
Kendall viewing roughskin newt females.
Roughskin newt males.
Kendall and Cassie
Megan in Wetland 1 installing a water depth metre on March 31st, 2023.
What’s that!
Wetland 2 investigations
Thanks team! Megan, Andrew, Tyee and Aidan all got wet feet for amphibians!
