As a trained biologist and a former natural resource manager I've noticed something disturbing this year. In spite of all of the rain this spring and summer I have seen NO frogs or toads and have only heard them once along the Fox River about a quarter mile from the house. I have checked other areas locally and have experienced the same thing. Bats, although common here when I was growing up here, I haven't seen at all in the nearly three years I've been back. The only butterflies or moths I've seen this year have been some millers and sulfurs and one medium sized dark butterfly I was unable to identify. Any more reports like this or is it local?

Let's hope it is local. But, while I haven't done any formal surveys, I've noticed similar trends near my home in central Illinois. Not many frogs, the bats seem to be doing fine, but not nearly the number/diversity of butterflies as last year. I was just wondering to a co-worker what happened to the barn swallows this year. None at my place. And then a week and half later, they showed up in force...sitting pretty as could be on the power line to the house.