Project overview:

DATA ENTRY FORM

The objective of Project Sound-Off is to obtain baseline data on the population of Bermuda's common whistling frog – also known as Johnstone’s whistling frog - (Eleutherodactylus johnstonei).   We hope to get as much information as possible on the numbers and distribution of this species so that we can detect any changes in their population in the future.  To do this, we are asking residents to conduct one survey of the calling frogs in their yards during the last two weeks in May and another during the last two weeks in August.  The survey should only take about 10 minutes.  See below for instructions on how to conduct a survey.

Listen to recordings of

Common whistling frog (Eleutherodactylus johnstonei)

listen here

Possibly extinct whistling frog (Eleutherodactylus gossei)

http://www.kingsnake.com/westindian/audioeleutherodactylusgosseiportantonio

jamaica1.mp3

Cane toad (Bufo marinus) – breeding call

http://www.frogsaustralia.net.au/frogs/calls/qt/bufo_marinus.mov

 http://www.smithsonianglobalsound.org/trackdetail.aspx?itemid=35174

Bermuda cricket

Instructions for conducting your survey:

One night during the last two weeks in May and during the last two weeks in August, preferably when it is wet or drizzly out, go into your yard after 9:00 pm and listen to see how many different male frogs you can hear calling (only the males call).  The calls sound like ‘gleep gleep’ and have a bell-like quality, but you can listen to the recording for Eleutherodactylus johnstonei to be sure. Just click on the links above to hear what the different whistling frogs, toads and crickets sound like.

You can distinguish individual males if they are calling from slightly different places. They are territorial, so they should not be right next to each other. By listening for about 10 minutes, you should be able to hear those which stop calling because of your approach, or those which might previously have been resting. If you hear more than you can count, don’t worry. There is a box to tick if there are too many to count.

Also, while you are in your yard, if you wish to count the number of toads you see, please do and record it on the data sheet.  And, if you think you hear the call of our missing whistling frog, Eleutherodactylus gossei, please let us know!  Email Dr. Jamie Bacon at jbacon@ibl.bm and describe what you heard. 

When you’ve finished your survey, please fill out the data entry form completely and return it to BAMZ font desk or fax it to 293-4014 or email it to jbacon@ibl.bm.