SPRINGFIELD NEWS SUN (Ohio) 13 April 06 Toady goes a courtin' (LaToya Thompson)
A group of girls from Middletown and Urbana tried imitating the male toad’s trill as they peered into shallow waters searching for the critters Wednesday night in Cedar Bog.
Like the American Toads, the girls produced their own distinct sound except they weren’t sending out a mating call.
The American Toads weren’t seen in mass but about five pairs were seen splashing about in pools of water during the 25th bog toad tuning.
Bog Manager Dan Reese said the toads relocated from the pond near the entrance of the bog to inside the wetland.
The move may have resulted from raccoons or coyotes attacking the toads last year, and they decided to find another mating spot, he said. The annual toad trilling was canceled in 2005 because of the unexpected death of Terry Jaworski, former Bog manager.
Toad tuning was one of Jaworski’s favorite events, said Ralph Doerzbacher, former Cedar Bog Association president.
More than 20 visitors arrived in the fen to catch the annual sight-and-sound show of the toad’s mating season.
The harmonic tune of the American Toad resembled an unconducted orchestra that could be heard from within Cedar Bog to the parking lot.
“There’s nothing like toad singing (and) seeing the bog come alive again after plants and animals have been somewhat dormant,” said Amy Boltz, of Middletown, who runs the Cedar Bog Web site.
Reese said the toads will sing and mate for about the next 48 hours and return next spring. The bog’s next event is April 22, Earth Day.
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