On April Friday 25, the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary (CVHAS) held its annual “Frog Watch” at Dickinson Park. Representatives from Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo, Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk, and Yale Peabody Museum were on hand to lead the 25 guests on a frog listening and frog spotting adventure.

This event follows the several trainings the CVHAS hosted in conjunction with Beardsley Zoo, Maritime Aquarium, and Peabody Museum in March. The FrogWatch USA training demonstrated local frog calls residents often hear in Connecticut. The most recognizable of the frogs are the classic Spring Peepers. Other species found in Connecticut are the American Bullfrog, American Toad, and the Wood Frog.

The training also went over proper watching conditions, such as waiting until 30 minutes after sunset, making sure it is not too windy, and monitoring the temperature. The temperature needs to be above 35 degrees, otherwise it is too chilly for the frogs. The event was originally scheduled for April 9, but was postponed because of the cold weather.

In addition to hearing some frogs, a great blue heron flew by much to the delight of the assembled participants. The group was able to identify a Gray Tree Frog, a Pickerel Frog, and Spring Peepers.