Houston toad protection after the Bastrop County Complex Fire (February 1, 2012 - June 30, 2012)
The worst wildfire in Texas history started on September 4, 2011, northeast of Bastrop. The fire burned more 34,000 acres and nearly 1,700 homes. Four people died because of the fire. This was the Bastrop County Complex Fire (BCCF). It wasn't controlled until October 10, and was not finally declared extinguished until October 29, 2011.
The BCCF burned through the heart of the Lost Pines of Bastrop County, a relict forest of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), disjunct from the loblolly pines of the East Texas Pineywoods. The Lost Pines area was also known to be the best remaining habitat and the largest population of the federally-listed endangered Houston toad (Anaxyrus houstonensis). The fire burned through the core of this area, that had been designated by the US Fish and Wildlife Service in 1978 as Critical Habitat.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) contracted with several biologists to help implement their disaster response and Houston toad conservation efforts. Because I'm permitted by the USFWS to work with Houston toads, FEMA enlisted me to help from February 1, 2012 to June 30, 2012. My records from this period are from February 2, 2012 through June 30, 2012, with one record from July 27, 2012.
I have never seen so much ash in one place, and I hope I never see it again.
(Notebooks 111-119)
Observations
Photos / Sounds
What
Gulf Coast Toad (Incilius nebulifer)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
Found during cleanup after Bastrop County Complex Fire.
Photos / Sounds
What
Pond Slider (Trachemys scripta)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
Found during cleanup after Bastrop County Complex Fire.
Photos / Sounds
What
Houston Toad (Anaxyrus houstonensis)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
Found during cleanup after Bastrop County Complex Fire, by Jim Dixon. Found under debris of a burned building, under a piece of corrugated metal (photos 3 and 4)
Photos / Sounds
What
Flat-headed Snake (Tantilla gracilis)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
Found during cleanup after Bastrop County Complex Fire. Site conditions shown in Photo 3.
Photos / Sounds
What
Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
Found during cleanup after Bastrop County Complex Fire, which started on Sept. 4, 2011.
Photos / Sounds
What
Gulf Coast Toad (Incilius nebulifer)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
Found during cleanup after Bastrop County Complex Fire.
Photos / Sounds
What
Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
Found during cleanup after Bastrop County Complex Fire, which started on Sept. 4, 2011. "Home is where the ash is."
Photos / Sounds
What
Little Brown Skink (Scincella lateralis)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
Found during cleanup after Bastrop County Complex Fire.
Photos / Sounds
What
Blanchard's Cricket Frog (Acris blanchardi)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
Found during cleanup after Bastrop County Complex Fire.
Photos / Sounds
What
Southern Spadefoots (Genus Scaphiopus)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
Scaphiopus tadpoles. Found during cleanup after Bastrop County Complex Fire.
Photos / Sounds
What
Annual Bastard Cabbage (Rapistrum rugosum)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
Found during cleanup after Bastrop County Complex Fire.
Photos / Sounds
What
Southern Spadefoots (Genus Scaphiopus)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
Scaphiopus tadpoles. Found during cleanup after Bastrop County Complex Fire.
Photos / Sounds
What
Prairie Lizard (Sceloporus consobrinus)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
Found during cleanup after Bastrop County Complex Fire.
Photos / Sounds
What
Hurter's Spadefoot (Scaphiopus hurterii)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
Found during cleanup after Bastrop County Complex Fire. Found by Jim Dixon (Photo 4). We miss you, Jim!
Photos / Sounds
What
Common Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
Found during cleanup after Bastrop County Complex Fire.
Photos / Sounds
What
Holarctic Treefrogs (Genus Hyla)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
Hyla chrysoscelis - versicolor tadpoles. Found during cleanup after Bastrop County Complex Fire.
Photos / Sounds
What
Hurter's Spadefoot (Scaphiopus hurterii)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
Found during cleanup after Bastrop County Complex Fire.
Photos / Sounds
What
Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
Found during cleanup after Bastrop County Complex Fire.
Photos / Sounds
What
Six-lined Racerunner (Aspidoscelis sexlineatus)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
Found during cleanup after Bastrop County Complex Fire.
Photos / Sounds
What
Pond Slider (Trachemys scripta)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
Found during cleanup after Bastrop County Complex Fire.
Photos / Sounds
What
Holarctic Treefrogs (Genus Hyla)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
Either Hyla chrysoscelis or versicolor. Probably versicolor. _Hyla_chrys-vers_tadpole
Photos / Sounds
What
Hurter's Spadefoot (Scaphiopus hurterii)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
Found during cleanup after Bastrop County Complex Fire.
Photos / Sounds
What
American Water Frogs (Genus Lithobates)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
Found during cleanup after Bastrop County Complex Fire. Found in swimming pool with old water.
Photos / Sounds
What
Holarctic Treefrogs (Genus Hyla)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
Found during cleanup after Bastrop County Complex Fire.
Barred tail and front legs that look like they are about to pop out are typical of Hyla chrysoscelis/versicolor tadpoles.
Photos / Sounds
What
Southern Leopard Frog (Lithobates sphenocephalus)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
Found during cleanup after Bastrop County Complex Fire.
Photos / Sounds
What
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
Mallard nest. Found during cleanup after Bastrop County Complex Fire.
Photos / Sounds
What
Mediterranean House Gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
Found during cleanup after Bastrop County Complex Fire.
Photos / Sounds
What
Hurter's Spadefoot (Scaphiopus hurterii)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
Found during cleanup after Bastrop County Complex Fire.
Photos / Sounds
What
Southern Leopard Frog (Lithobates sphenocephalus)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
Found during cleanup after Bastrop County Complex Fire.
Photos / Sounds
What
Gulf Coast Toad (Incilius nebulifer)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
Found during cleanup after Bastrop County Complex Fire.
Photos / Sounds
What
Prairie Lizard (Sceloporus consobrinus)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
Found during cleanup after Bastrop County Complex Fire.
Photos / Sounds
What
Houston Toad (Anaxyrus houstonensis)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
Found during cleanup after Bastrop County Complex Fire. Photo 2 shows site brush pile where this individual was found.
Photos / Sounds
What
Tree Frogs and Allies (Family Hylidae)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
Hyla chrysoscelis or H. versicolor. Found during cleanup after Bastrop County Complex Fire.
Photos / Sounds
What
Holarctic Treefrogs (Genus Hyla)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
Hyla chrysoscelis or H. versicolor. Found during cleanup after Bastrop County Complex Fire.
Photos / Sounds
What
Hurter's Spadefoot (Scaphiopus hurterii)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
Found during cleanup after Bastrop County Complex Fire. Found and relocated about 220 of these.
Photos / Sounds
What
Gulf Coast Toad (Incilius nebulifer)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
Found during cleanup after Bastrop County Complex Fire.
Photos / Sounds
What
Holarctic Treefrogs (Genus Hyla)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
Hyla chrysoscelis or H. versicolor. Found during cleanup after Bastrop County Complex Fire.
Photos / Sounds
What
Houston Toad (Anaxyrus houstonensis)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
Found during cleanup after Bastrop County Complex Fire.
Photos / Sounds
What
Houston Toad (Anaxyrus houstonensis)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
Found during cleanup after Bastrop County Complex Fire. Photo 4 shows the site.
Photos / Sounds
What
Little Ladies' Tresses (Spiranthes tuberosa)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
Found during cleanup after Bastrop County Complex Fire.
Photos / Sounds
What
Gulf Coast Toad (Incilius nebulifer)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
Found during cleanup after Bastrop County Complex Fire.
Photos / Sounds
What
Rio Grande Chirping Frog (Eleutherodactylus campi)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
Found during cleanup after Bastrop County Complex Fire. This individual was found under an upside-down bathtub (Photo 5).
Photos / Sounds
What
Soncoya (Annona purpurea)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
Found during cleanup after Bastrop County Complex Fire.
Photos / Sounds
What
Blanchard's Cricket Frog (Acris blanchardi)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
Found during cleanup after Bastrop County Complex Fire.
Photos / Sounds
What
Spiny Lizards (Genus Sceloporus)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
Found during cleanup after Bastrop County Complex Fire.
Photos / Sounds
What
Houston Toad (Anaxyrus houstonensis)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
Found during cleanup after Bastrop County Complex Fire.
Photos / Sounds
What
Texas Coralsnake (Micrurus tener)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
Found during cleanup after Bastrop County Complex Fire. It was in an oak with a broken hollow limb on the ground. Relocated to another location.
Photos / Sounds
What
White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
Found during cleanup after Bastrop County Complex Fire.
Photos / Sounds
What
Western Ratsnake (Pantherophis obsoletus)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
Found during cleanup after Bastrop County Complex Fire.
Photos / Sounds
What
Southern Leopard Frog (Lithobates sphenocephalus)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
Found during cleanup after Bastrop County Complex Fire.
Photos / Sounds
What
Houston Toad (Anaxyrus houstonensis)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
Found during cleanup after Bastrop County Complex Fire.
Photos / Sounds
What
Subfamily CicadinaeObserver
cliftonladdDescription
Found during cleanup after Bastrop County Complex Fire.
Photos / Sounds
What
American Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
Found during cleanup after Bastrop County Complex Fire.
Photos / Sounds
What
Rio Grande Chirping Frog (Eleutherodactylus campi)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
Found during cleanup after Bastrop County Complex Fire.
Photos / Sounds
What
Houston Toad (Anaxyrus houstonensis)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
Found during cleanup after Bastrop County Complex Fire.
Photos / Sounds
What
Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
21 weeks after the Bastrop County Complex Fire, which started on 9-4-2011.
Photos / Sounds
What
Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
23 weeks after the Bastrop County Complex Fire, which started on 9-4-2011.
Photos / Sounds
What
Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
23 weeks after the Bastrop County Complex Fire, which started on 9-4-2011.
Photos / Sounds
What
Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
23.5 weeks after the Bastrop County Complex Fire, which started on 9-4-2011.
Photos / Sounds
What
Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
24.5 weeks after the Bastrop County Complex Fire, which started on 9-4-2011.
Photos / Sounds
What
Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
26 weeks after the Bastrop County Complex Fire, which started on 9-4-2011.
Photos / Sounds
What
Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
29 weeks after the Bastrop County Complex Fire, which started on 9-4-2011.
Photos / Sounds
What
Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
32.5 weeks after the Bastrop County Complex Fire, which started on 9-4-2011.
Photos / Sounds
What
Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
43 weeks after the Bastrop County Complex Fire, which started on 9-4-2011.
Photos / Sounds
What
Genus SchizophyllumObserver
cliftonladdDescription
Found during cleanup after Bastrop County Complex Fire, which started on Sept. 4, 2011.
Photos / Sounds
What
Doughnut Fungus (Rhizina undulata)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
Found during cleanup after Bastrop County Complex Fire, which started on Sept. 4, 2011.
Photos / Sounds
What
Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
Eastern bluebird nest in burned snag. Found during cleanup after Bastrop County Complex Fire, which started on Sept. 4, 2011.
Photos / Sounds
What
Pleated Inkcap (Parasola plicatilis)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
Found during cleanup after Bastrop County Complex Fire, which started on Sept. 4, 2011.
Photos / Sounds
What
Genus LeucocoprinusObserver
cliftonladdDescription
Found during cleanup after Bastrop County Complex Fire, which started on Sept. 4, 2011.
Photos / Sounds
What
Suborder AgaricineaeObserver
cliftonladdDescription
Found during cleanup after Bastrop County Complex Fire, which started on Sept. 4, 2011.
Photos / Sounds
What
Pleated Inkcap (Parasola plicatilis)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
Found during cleanup after Bastrop County Complex Fire, which started on Sept. 4, 2011.
Photos / Sounds
What
Texas Leafcutter Ant (Atta texana)Observer
cliftonladdDescription
Found during cleanup after Bastrop County Complex Fire, which started on Sept. 4, 2011.
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