Oregon Spotted Frog egg mass survey 2025: Another new record!

An update from Sienna Krulis, 2025 survey crewmember:

The survey period for Oregon spotted frog (Rana pretiosa; OSF) egg masses has come to a close at Conboy Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Our crew of six have walked, waded, and even crawled through miles of wetland habitat with the goal of further documenting the recovery of this state-endangered, federally-threatened species. In addition to providing wildlife managers with critical population information, these surveys offer unique opportunities to observe OSF behaviors in their natural environment. Early season surveyors were able to capture a moment of the breeding frenzy occurring within the Glenwood Valley this spring. Few have heard the subtle vocalizations of the OSF. To the unknowing witness, one frog may sound like a woodpecker slowly knocking on a tree far away, but it can quickly become a muted percussive chorus as the frogs gather in large groups to breed. The vocalizations of the OSF may be more subtle than those of the competing invasive Bullfrog, but the quiet call of the OSF are unique in that they mark the first days of spring in the Glenwood Valley. 

About halfway through the video, you can clearly hear the unique clicking/knocking call of the OSF.

The 2025 population count at CLNWR has once again exceeded the previous year’s count as a direct result of management strategies implemented by the collaborative efforts of MARS and USFWS. We are thankful for the partnership with USFWS that allows us to continue preserving the ecology of the Glenwood valley.