Specifications include, but are not limited to: Starting in the early spring, from early March through late April, funnel traps will be placed in vernal pools to capture early breeding amphibians such as the ambystomid salamanders. These traps are also effective in capturing burrowing crayfish, which utilize many of these vernal pools for breeding. The general distribution and abundance of many of the frogs and toads will be determined by driving roads and listening for the calls given by breeding males at the appropriate times. Wood frogs, spring peepers and chorus frogs are the early callers in March, followed by the toads in April, treefrogs and greenfrogs in May and bullfrogs in June. Hillside springs and seeps will also be searched in early spring for species such as the red salamander, which associates closely with these particular habitats. During the heat of the summer, turtle traps will be set in the larger streams and ponds to assess the turtle populations. General surveys for other reptiles, such as snakes and skinks, as well as for other amphibians will consist of surveying areas on foot and turning over debris such as rocks and logs which furnish hiding places for these species. Upon approval of the Ohio Army National Guard (OHARNG), it is proposed that pieces of old roofing tin be strategically placed within the facility to provide cover for snakes. Old pieces of tin are attractive to snakes for a variety of reasons and the placement of tin in areas where this type of cover is lacking has been shown to be an effective aid in censusing this aspect of the reptilian community in an area. Tin would be placed during the winter in areas where it would not present a problem to guard training activities. Night surveys will also be conducted, depending on the weather and OHARNG training schedules. Driving roads on summer nights following a shower or thunderstorm is a very effective census technique. Vouchers will be kept for new species found during the survey. High quality color digital images will be furnished for as many of the species as possible. The photos will be named by species name. Digital photographs instead of voucher specimens will be taken for state and federally listed species.
