First ? activity of Amphibiens

[Alexander Pieh]

First ? activity of I. alpestris and L. vulgaris in my funnel
Here in Stuttgart we had during the weekend something about 10°C and it was raining during the evening /night. At Saturday 01.08. (9.00 o’clock pm) I found 1.1 I. alpestris and 0.1 L. vulgaris in my funnel already moving and trying to climb the wall. At Sunday I found 1.2 alpestris at the same place. In my pond there is by now no activity (4°C water temperature). In a spring near Ludwigsburg I found active Salamandra terrestris larvae. As I have tried some years ago they feed even in early January. So for me the season has started. A Happy New Year and Happy Herping 2011
Alex

[Bobby Bok]

One of the Rana temporaria in my garden has also become active yesterday, when finally some sun showed itself. Common frog is always the first herp of the year for me!

[Mario Schweiger]

Near Vienna also the first Bufo viridis has been found walking around.
But here in Salzburg - maybe they are active too - below 30 to 50 cms of snow

Mario

[Vlad Cioflec]

Congratulations Alexander for the first herp of the season!

But you know what they say ... picture or it didn`t happen!

Happy herpin`!
Vlad

[Alexander Pieh]

You are right Vlad, no proof!
However, the animals are well protected from frost in the holes of the funnel. So I just checked the situation with a torch.
Ok, now it is up to you to deliver the first pictures of 2011 .
Sincerely
Alex

[Vlad Cioflec]

Ok, now it is up to you to deliver the first pictures of 2011

Dear Alex,
you sure put me in a tight spot didn`t you?!

But that`s cool though, as i am delivering pics this year in the forum like crazy. Grab yourself a drink and head towards the Fieldherper`s Cafe to view my work :

viewtopic.php?f=27&t=284&start=70

Cheers!
Vlad

[Alexander Pieh]

OK Vlad, here an insitu picture.
I. alpestris activ in my funnel (12.01.2011). Sincerely
Alex

[Vlad Cioflec]

Thank you Alex!

And, if you don`t mind me asking, what is this funnel you keep talking about Cause i too have one in the kitchen drawer, that i`ll check when i get home this evening...
Vlad

[Guillaume Gomard]

Yesterday I also found 3 P.muralis basking on rocks. Even if it was around 16°C, I was really surprised to observe them so early in the year. Anyway, good news!

[Alexander Pieh]

Hi Vlad,
the drainagestones on our house walls are used as winter quarters. Here every now and then it comes to the immigration of the amphibians to the funnels from the side or from below. They are able to return between the stones during cold periods. However, if they find there way back to the surface avoids my knowledge. I pick them out of the "trap" in the end of February / early March.
Sincerely
Alex