animal locations? Flying squirrel, opposum, spring peeper

[Andrew McKinley]

Hi everyone, I was wondering if anyone can help me out with finding the following animals; the northern flying squirrel, the virginia opposum, and the spring peeper (frog), in the TO area or surrounding region.

I've wanted to find flying squirrels and spring peepers (frog) for the longest time but am not sure where to look in TO. I though perhaps in the summer doing a night trip to the Lambton woods to look for the flying squirrel might be a good idea (I might see an Eastern Screech Owl as well which would be nice), but does anyone know an area where they occur? I've read the posts about the Virginia Opposum, but so far no luck. As for the peepers, I've been trying to get a picture to send to my herpetologist buddy in south america.

Thanks to anyone who has info. on these animals!
-Andrew

[Anonymous]

The spring peepers have started to come out @ Kortright Conservation Centre - heard some on Sunday.  Shouldn't be long now until the "Peepers Pond" will be so loud you have to wear ear plugs to be around it (not kidding on that one).

Cheers, Attila

[Andrew McKinley]

Hi Attila,
I haven't been there before but I will definitely check it out. If I go within the next week I imagine they will be out in force? Can I enter that park after dark?
Thanks for the help,
-Andrew

[Halton Hills]

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Not sure of your location, but in the west end, you have this option.

There is a marshy area on Winston Churchill Blvd. approx. 1/2 km north of Old School Road.

The marsh is on both sides, and starts at the edge of the road.

The peepers were in full swing last night. Be advised though, if it's too cold, they will not sing.

The old saying is that once the peepers have been silenced 3 times, spring is really here.  

P.S. If you take the 407.....you'll need to exit at Mississauga Rd.


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[Axeman]

You'll definitely find opposums there too ! (Old Skool / Winnie Churchill)

[Halton Hills]

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I see them all the time up north at the cottage.

The closest to Toronto that I've seen them is in Hockley Valley

Spotted on 3rd Line approx. 1 km north of Hockley Road (before going up the big hill)


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[Andrew McKinley]

Thanks for the help everyone!
I am going to make a trip for the peepers this Wends. to Kortright.... I am not too late am I? I imagine they will still be singing for a couple of weeks yet.
Thanks again everyone!
-Andrew

[Anonymous]

They were getting louder last night!

There's a pond that you can visit there called Spring Peeper Pond, and I think after being there you'll understand why!

Admittance to Kortright is permitted during normal operating hours, details of which can be found @ this link:

http://www.kortright.org/Website/TRCA/P ... anguage=EN

Also, you'll find a map of the centre here, with Spring Peeper Pond found in the upper right corner:

http://www.kortright.org/Website/TRCA/P ... colour.pdf

Finally, wear boots as a lot of the areas are VERY muddy and wet.

Cheers, and enjoy yourself!

Attila

[Andrew McKinley]

Thanks for the help Attila and others,
I swung by Kortright yesterday (it took me forever to bike from the end of the subway line) but it was well worth it. I heard the peepers and managed to actually find and see one which is what I was hoping for. Also saw the wood frogs in a big mating 'ball' all jumping on top of each other and surrounded by huge clouds of black eggs. It was pretty amazing. It was my first time at Kortright and I really liked it. I also saw two birds that I thought were unusual this early, northern waterthrush and a black and white warbler, but I am quite sure about both. There were wood ducks around as well, deer, coyote scat (and unfortunately a road killed coyote near the entrance), butterflies including an abundance of comptons tortoiseshells and mourning cloaks, and some wildflowers.
Really a great trip for me!
Thanks again,
-Andrew