BE-67 Pinpointing the start of the breeding season among two populations of Lithobates sylvaticus at differing elevations with passive monitoring techniques

This study used passive monitoring techniques to record the start time of the breeding season for wood frog (Lithobates sylvaticus) populations at differing elevations. The research was conducted at Table Rock State Park (elevation 403 meters) and Caesar’s Head State Park (elevation 906 meters). There were two mass migrations for both the Table Rock Site and Caesar’s Head site. The start of the first migration for both sites was on 12-29-24 with the Table Rock population coming out at 9 am and the Caesar’s Head population coming out at 3 am. The second migration occurred for Table Rock at 1 pm on 1-29-25 and Caesar’s Head at 7 pm on 1-31-25. Regarding the first migration, there does not seem to be a noticeable difference in emergence. However, there is an approximate two-day shift in emergence between the two sites with the lower elevation site (Table Rock) showing a sooner emergence than the higher elevation site (Caesar's Head). Other notable difference that were observed between the sites were the Caesar’s Head site had a longer breeding duration for both migrations and they chorused more often and for longer sessions. This could have to do with the Caesar’s head site having a permanent pond, and a larger population but more research would be needed to find this information.