From the Field Journal of William T. Davis:

Compiled by Beth Nicholls

Dec 2012

Background:

William T. Davis was a self-taught naturalist that lived on Staten Island from 1862-1945. Even though his specialization was entomology, he was extremely knowledgeable of all things natural on Staten Island: birds, trees, reptiles, flowers, rocks as well as frogs and toads. For nearly 60 years, Mr. Davis kept a field journal of his natural history sightings while wandering in the backwoods of Staten Island. This document introduces some of the frog species found on Staten Island during Davis lifetime in journal passage style.

Objectives:

1. Relate frogs, a familiar and beloved animal, to school hero: William T. Davis2. Introduce students to the concept of a field journal/nature journal, a great way to record

and track nature sightings both in the short and long term. (Creating a nature journal is a great activity for children).   

3. Familiarize students with some of the frog species that once lived on Staten Island and talk about the six species that can still be found on Staten Island today: Spring Peeper, Bullfrog, Green Frog, Gray Treefrog, Fowler's Toad, and Leopard Frog. Wood Frogs and Cricket Frogs are now extinct on Staten Island.

4. Learn that frogs can be identified by appearance and call (Each species of frog has a unique breeding call that is used by scientists for identification). Additional pictures, information and sound bites of breeding calls can be found on www.enature.com. You'll see that these species come in many colors, sizes and have a variety of habits and habitats.  It's a free website- Check it out!!

March 23, 1887

… Today I heard a peeping noise and knew right away that it was a Spring Peeper, a tiny frog with a loud peeping voice. Hearing that sound was sure sign that spring is finally here! …

Spring Peeper

May 3, 1926

…I found a Fowler’s Toad today hopping around in my garden on Stuyvesant place. Fowler’s toads feel dry and bumpy. Sadly Fowler’s Toads are becoming rare making them harder and harder to find on Staten Island…

Fowler’s Toad

May 5, 1910

…Today I saw a frog hiding in a tree! It was a Gray Treefrog. All treefrogs have sticky toes so they can climb up plants and hide on the bark of trees. They almost become invisible to people and their enemies when camouflaged…

Gray Treefrog

April 23, 1898

…Tonight I thought I heard a cricket calling but saw a frog instead. Cricket frogs are named after crickets because they are very small and make a chirping sound. Even though they are tiny, Cricket Frogs can jump very far to escape danger ...

Cricket Frog

http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7120.html

April 1, 1905

…While walking in the forest today, a frog crossed my path. It was a Wood Frog, who is at home in the woods, not a pond or lake. Wood Frogs lay their eggs in small pools of rain water found on the ground of the forest. One time I saw hundreds of Wood Frog tadpoles in the pools in Mariner’s Harbor. Wood Frog tadpoles must grow up quickly because these rain water pools dry out…

Wood Frog

April 17, 1909

…While at clove Lake looking for dragonflies, I saw two eyes staring at me from the water. It was a Green Frog hiding among the lily pads. He too was looking for dragonflies, but with a hungry stomach and a quick tongue. ..

Green Frog

June 23, 1935

…Today I saw a frog so huge that it was bigger than my hands. It was a Bullfrog, the biggest frog on Staten Island. They have a low and loud call and a large appetite. Even their tadpoles are big. Bullfrogs are hard to miss…

Bullfrog