While the ongoing drought has been a concern for all, it has allowed a brief reprieve from the usual swarms of bugs typical during the summer months.  With the past week’s rain, that reprieve is now over.  While humans may not be pleased with their return, many of the species we share space with couldn’t be more happy.
According to Tom Bidrowski a biologist with the Kansas Dept. of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, some species of mosquitoes lay eggs that survive desiccation from drought for several months, and quickly repopulate an area as soon as significant rain falls, as it has in and around Cheyenne Bottoms over the past week.  
“The insects lay eggs above the waterline in wetlands, ponds, ditches or other places where water collects,” Bidrowski said.  “After rains or flooding, eggs hatch and in a few days produce swarms of mosquitoes, which in turn will produce more mosquitos in another 10 to 14 days.”
Already, the onslaught has begun, he said.  And as long as the area continues to receive much needed rain, the cycle will continue.  Something to keep in mind while swatting at the swarms of pesky critters--they are an integral part of the food chain that makes the Bottoms special.  With the return of water and bugs, already the Bottoms is witnessing the emergence of long hibernating frogs, toads and snakes.  If rains continue, conditions for the fall migration will be greatly improved.
“We have already seen increase in bird use, particularly in shorebirds who favor to forage in the recently flooded mudflats,” Bidrowski said.  “The next month will be crucial to what extent that the Bottoms will be an attractive stop for migrating birds. We still need more rain to not only increase water depths in the pools but also to replenish what will be lost evaporation and soil saturation.”

Frog and Toad
According to KDWPT educator Pam Martin, Monday evening six different species of frogs and toads could be heard calling in the marsh around KWEC, including a new one for this area, the Great Plains Narrowmouth Toad.
“It’s never been recorded here, which is pretty exciting,” she said.  “We heard two or three calling in the marsh behind the Center. We also heard Woodhouse, Great Plains and Plains Spadefoot Toads, Boreal Chorus and Cricket Frogs.”
Martin has learned the calls of different species through recordings, and also trains volunteers with FrogWatch to recognize the calls and their intensity.  Intensity is measured on a scale from 0-4, from no calls to so many they’re deafening, Martin said.
“They call from dusk to about 1-2 a.m. but Monday it was all day,” she said.  “Tuesday, they quit because the sun came out, but they should start again in the evening.”
FrogWatch is a citizen science arm of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.  Volunteers learn about the wetlands in their communities and help conserve amphibians by reporting the calls of local frogs and toads. Frogs and toads also play an important role, serving as both prey and predator, in wetland ecosystems and are considered indicators of environmental health.
Frogs burrow into the ground and enter a state of estivation, a period of dormancy or torpor during drought, reappearing when conditions improve, Martin said. Spadefoots stay underground, coming out to hunt at night and after rains.
“The toads have been around even during the drought and all are heading to the water to mate while they have the opportunity even if their typical breeding season is over or nearly over,” she said.

Web resource:  
Kansas Wetlands Education Center  http://wetlandscenter.fhsu.edu/