First Frogging Trip Of The Season – With The Wild Volunteers
As it usually happens in any workweek Friday afternoon couldn’t come fast enough and this Friday was no different. Tying up the chaos of a busy Friday afternoon with drinks flowing at work I tied up a few deadlines and headed for the hills…well out of the hills towards Zululand! Not before making a quick stop past the airport for a pickup and then got stuck in peak hour traffic at the tolls – less than ideal.
I made my way to Umkhumbi Lodge in Hluhluwe when I arrived the heat of the day (mid 30’s) had dissipated and had been replaced by a monster thunderstorm and lightning – great weather for frogs! Arriving just after 20h00 I unpacked my things headed to the lapa for a quick dinner and we made some plans for the evening.
We made our way out to three small ponds I’ve visited often and weren’t disappointed with the results the frogs were certainly firing on all cylinders. A good array or species for a few hours and 17 species of frogs in total!
Cacosternum nanum – Bronze Caco
Chiromantis xerampelina – Foam Nest Frog
Hyperolius pusillus – Water Lilly Frog
Hyperolius tuberinlinguis – Tinker Reed Frog
Hyperolius argus – Argus Reed Frog
Kassina senegalensis – Bubbling Kassina
Phrynobatrachus natalensis – Snoring Puddle Frog
Ptychadena oxyrhynchus – Sharp-nosed Grass Frog
Now for the most interesting observation for the weekend spotted by Hayley Ptychadena mossambica – Broad-Banded Grass
Feeding on a Hyperolius marmoratus taeniatus Painted Reed Frog.
Ptychadena anchietae – Plain Grass Frog
Schismaderma carens – Red Toad
Sclerophrys gutturalis – Guttural Toad
Sclerophrys garmani – Eastern Olive Toad
Tomopterna cryptotis – Tremolo Sand Frog
Xenopus laevis – Common platannaOther reptiles:
Hemidactylus mabioua – Tropical House Gecko
Lygodactylus capensis – Cape Dwarf Gecko
In a shallow rapidly drying pan surrounded by tadpoles who will not be able to relocate unlike this Pelusios sinuatus – Serrated Hinged Terrapin
Trachylepis depressa – Eastern Coastal Skink
Trachylepis striata – Striped SkinkWe had some really great results considering the true heat and rains of summer are still a few months away. Thanks to Anton & Emma Roberts from Umkhumbi , Hariot and Hayley of the WildVolunteers who got stuck into frogging and nearly in the mud!
The Total Species List:
Cacosternum nanum – Bronze Caco
Chiromantis xerampelina – Foam Nest Frog
Hyperolius marmoratus taeniatus – Painted Reed Frog
Hyperolius pusillus – Water Lilly Frog
Hyperolius tuberinlinguis – Tinker Reed Frog
Hyperolius argus – Argus Reed Frog
Kassina senegalensis – Bubbling Kassina
Phlyctimantis maculatus – Red Legged Running Frog
Phrynobatrachus natalensis – Snoring Puddle Frog
Ptychadena oxyrhynchus – Sharp-nosed Grass Frog
Ptychadena mossambica – Broad Banded Grass Frog
Ptychadena anchietae – Plain Grass Frog
Schismaderma carens – Red Toad
Sclerophrys gutturalis – Guttural Toad
Sclerophrys garmani – Eastern Olive Toad
Tomopterna cryptotis – Tremolo Sand Frog
Xenopus laevis – Common platanna
Other reptiles:
Hemidactylus mabioua – Tropical House Gecko
Lygodactylus capensis – Cape Dwarf Gecko
Pelusios sinuatus – Serrated Hinged Terrapin
Trachylepis depressa – Eastern Coastal Skink
Trachylepis striata – Striped Skink
Very nice collection of observations and stunning photos! Well done!
Thanks Luke! Just getting started hoping for another great herping season to come.
Tyrone I’ve been following your stunning photographic travels, as always this is an absolute delight, thank you! Christeen
Thank you Christeen, glad you are enjoying the posts!