The Marsh in May

Wetlands come alive in May and Collins Marsh is no exception,
booming with life! Under the serene looking waters there is a whole
different aquatic world that we don’t get to see. As the length of day
increases and temperatures warm both on land and in the water, there is a
palette of color before you. Green occurs in every shade and the blue of
the waters hide a variety of life below. Fish are spawning in the shallows,
turtles sunning on a log, and there is singing in the wetlands as frogs call to
one another, celebrating the warming water temperatures and ready to find
the right mate.

New splashes of color flit through the trees and shrubs as many of
our returning songbirds make the most of their time finding the right mate
and possibly a nesting site. Marsh marigolds bloom in the wetland woods.
Many of these returning songbirds feed on insects so wetlands afford them
the opportunity for a rich and varied buffet.
The marsh area is home to a variety of frogs including wood frogs,
spring peepers, northern chorus frogs and leopard frogs, they are some of
the early singers that celebrate spring with a call that advertises their
presence. Frogs supply the marsh with many services when they deposit
their eggs in wetland areas. Those eggs hatch into hungry tadpoles that
feed on algae, detritus or organic matter and eventually mosquito larvae
and other tiny aquatic creatures.
Frogs, their egg masses and tadpoles provide food for a large variety
of marsh inhabitants including fish, turtles, birds, snakes and even insects.
Frog eggs provide a tasty snack for some ducks, dragonfly nymphs, giant
water bugs, carp and leeches. Herons, cranes, egrets and many others find
frogs to be a nourishing food source. A few mammals enjoy eating them as
well, raccoons and opossums will feed on them if given the chance. Frogs
are certainly an important part of the interwoven food web of a wetland
area. They are a cornerstone species that supports many forms of life.
They are also an indicator species as their thin skin makes them
susceptible to pollutants in the waters. A healthy wetland has a numerous
frog population.
If you are looking for a family friendly activity on a warm spring night,
take a ride to Collins Marsh, park in one of the various parking areas and
just listen for a time. You may start to hear the frog chorus. How many
different frog calls can you identify? Each frog species has a distinctive call
of its own and most are easily recognized, all it takes is a little practice and
recordings are available online to serve as your guide.
Would you like to learn more about the activities and opportunities for
your family at Collins Marsh? Maybe you would like to become a member
of our friends group. It’s easy. Visit Collinsmarsh.org and find out more
information about activities going on at the marsh this summer and how
you could enjoy free kayak or canoe rentals. New members and visitors are
always welcome