Toad or Frog?

[ravynne40]

I was in Marie Curtis Park last night and almost stepped on this poor little critter, lucky he/she was pretty quick to hop away
This is the first time I have ever seen an amphibian in the park! I was thrilled!
now I have no idea after searching through various ID's I still cannot determine what type of amphibian it is...Frog or Toad..that is the question....




Thanks
Irene

[Reuven_M]

american toad

[ravynne40]

Thanks Reuven!

[Howieh]

I've got a big one in my backyard - still can't figure out how he got through customs...

[ravynne40]

No green card? geesh gotta watch those aliens!

[KP]

Hi Irene.  I saw my first American Toad in Marie Curtis Park East just recently.  The American Toad was in the first rehabilitated forest to the right of the Etobicoke Creek Interpretive Trail.  I have commonly seen and heard American Toads along the Etobicoke Creek.  The parking lot by Lake Ontario was destroyed and the Dog Park is almost done.  I think the Bicycle Dirt Jumps will be located by the Dog Park too.

[ravynne40]

Hi Irene.  I saw my first American Toad in Marie Curtis Park East just recently.  The American Toad was in the first rehabilitated forest to the right of the Etobicoke Creek Interpretive Trail.  I have commonly seen and heard American Toads along the Etobicoke Creek.  The parking lot by Lake Ontario was destroyed and the Dog Park is almost done.  I think the Bicycle Dirt Jumps will be located by the Dog Park too.

Yes..they have dug up a big chunk of land blocking off the entrance I used to use to get into the arsenal lands *grrrr*, when I went to the meetings they said that they would consider the wild life in the area, but that area they have dug up were where the deer used to sit all the time...guess they will do what they want and build what they want

I wasn't aware of the parking lot being destroyed yet...at least I didn't notice when I was there yesterday. Guess I will have to take another look.

[KP]

I used to see Northern White Tailed Deer in that area too.  I guess I will not see Northern White Tailed Deer there now.  More naturalization projects will take place.  Hopefully the Northern White Tailed Deer will find a new area to use.

[angieinto]

We haven't been down to that area yet this spring/summer! Gotta get there soon.

[cloaca]

I used to see Northern White Tailed Deer in that area too.  I guess I will not see Northern White Tailed Deer there now.  More naturalization projects will take place.  Hopefully the Northern White Tailed Deer will find a new area to use.

I think the whitetail deer will continue. They don't need too much.

[KP]

Good point Cloaca.  Marie Curtis Park and the surrounding area still has a lot of forest, wetland, meadow, successional habitat, and beach habitat despite the construction.

[ravynne40]

I used to see Northern White Tailed Deer in that area too.  I guess I will not see Northern White Tailed Deer there now.  More naturalization projects will take place.  Hopefully the Northern White Tailed Deer will find a new area to use.

I think the whitetail deer will continue. They don't need too much.

I fully understand the idea of naturalization but, when we thinking about this, this does affect many of the birds in the area too, this area was great with thistles(goldfinches and various songbirds) and wild-flowers(humming birds) and those corn-like plants (downy woodpeckers), not to mention the disturbed grounds for moles, mice, voles and rabbits-which the three species of hawks that live in the arsenal lands frequently eat. Also nesting redwinged blackbirds nested in those areas as well
I don't want to sound like I'm going off, but saying "they don't need much" is like saying you don't need food or water or a place to live
I understand that there have been problems in the park and they want to make better use of the grounds by rebuilding and adding things, but at what cost...I hear things alot like "there used to be such and such here"
alot of animals are habitual, once their areas are touched by man a lot of them will not come back.
but I will watch and see...
I guess my question is...is it better for nature? or is it just better for man?

[KP]

Hi Irene.  What species of mice, mole, and vole did you see at Marie Curtis Park? The removal of vegetation has affected all the wildlife that used to use that area.  The construction of new facilities, play areas, etc. will benefit humans in this case.  However, the new naturalization projects will replace what natural ares were removed.

[ravynne40]

Hi Irene.  What species of mice, mole, and vole did you see at Marie Curtis Park? The removal of vegetation has affected all the wildlife that used to use that area.  The construction of new facilities, play areas, etc. will benefit humans in this case.  However, the new naturalization projects will replace what natural ares were removed.

I don't know the species of mice or vole, i just know that I have seen mice and larger then mice rodents, sorry I'm not versed in rodent species.
I understand that they will replace natural areas this is not what upsets me, I just get upset when people say ...things like "they don't need much", it seemed like a very nonchalant remark, like ...its only deer...when its more then just the deer..does that make sense?
It encompasses everything in the area. I'm not against the naturalization, I think its a good thing but sometimes I worry that the animals/birds etc won't come back...I went to a few of the meetings that were held regarding the park and a lot of people were not happy about certain things, but some ideas were terrific and accepted for the most part.

[KP]

I do agree with you that not only Northern White Tailed Deer but all other wildlife unfortunately end up losing their natural habitat.