The figure above provides a general guide to the timing of anuran (frog and toad) breeding activity in the Niagara Region. The second row represents the weeks within each month, and the dark blue cells indicate when each species is actively breeding. As shown, amphibian breeding activity can extend into the summer months.

To help interpret the figure, look at a specific week—for example, the last week of March. The species highlighted in blue for that week (such as Wood Frogs, Western Chorus Frogs, Spring Peepers, American Toads, and Pickerel Frogs) are those you are most likely to hear calling from wetlands at that time. Not all species will necessarily be calling at once, but the chart shows when each species is typically active.

It’s important to note that breeding activity is strongly influenced by environmental conditions, especially temperature. Wood Frogs, which are freeze-tolerant, are often the first to emerge in early spring, even when temperatures may still drop below freezing.