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On the Refuge...

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“A Free Refuge Concert”

 

By Scott Lee

 

It’s not too late to catch the end of the free concert season that’s happening at the refuge.  The concerts start at the end of March/early April with a full chorus of Wood Frogs singing (or should I say “quacking”?) away in the various woodland ponds throughout the refuge.  They wake up after being frozen solid all winter and thaw out, after hibernating in the shallow waters and as little “frogsicles” – one of nature’s miracles.  They no more get thawed out than the males start their mating calls, sounding more like ducks than frogs.

 

The concerts continue through the spring with the “snoring” of the Leopard Frogs, the ear-piercing “peeps” of the Spring Peepers, the “trilling” of chorus frogs, the “whistling hums” of the American Toad, the “clicking” of the Blanchard Cricket Frog”, the “chirping” of the Eastern Grey Tree Frogs (that might be green), and winding down in late June and July with the monotones of the choir, the Green Frogs (which tend to be more brown than green), with their not-so-melodious “ghungk” call.

 

The time for the various species to do their singing is determined by water temperature.  We are lucky to have at least one type contributing to the chorus continuously from early spring, when water temperature may only be in the 40s (the Wood Frog) all the way into July, when the water temperatures rise closer to the 80’s (Green Frogs).

It is only the males of each species that do the calling, most common on warm evenings.  They simply sit in or near the water, give it their best musical sounds, and the females hop on in to proceed with their mating rituals. It’s not too late to catch the final concerts, albeit that of the Green Frogs – the worst of the singers.  You might get lucky, however, and hear a very rare frog for this area, the American Bull Frog, with their deep, bass call sounding much like a foghorn.  There’s nothing in nature quite like a full chorus of frogs and/or toads so get out and enjoy – and the concert is FREE!!

SAVE THE DATE

 

The Marvel of the Monarch Butterflies

and their Amazing Journey

Friday, August 8, 2025

6:00-7:30: p.m

Outdoor Wonders Learning Center

Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge

 

Have you heard about the amazing and perilous journey of the Monarch butterfly? Hundreds of Monarchs travel through Wisconsin each year on their way to spend the cold months of winter in Mexico. Allene Horton will share information about her wonderful trip to Mexico to observe the Monarchs in their winter sanctuary and tell us how we can help the Monarch population in our community. Following her presentation, head out to the prairie with Refuge Ranger, Dana Schelling, to see and catch other butterfly species and insects.

 

*Family Friendly  *Nets provided

Note: Space is limited. Reservations suggested. Please call the Refuge at 608-539-2311 or

email: dana_schelling@fws.gov to reserve your spot.

Sponsored by Friends of Trempealeau Refuge

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