I didn't know we had the potential coqui frog problem on Oahu too, but I guess it is an all too real threat to Oahuan peace and tranquility, not to mention property values also.
Here's an article that came out in the Star Advertiser last week. Apparently the Oahu Invasive Species Committee is asking people on our island to go outside out homes on Wednesday between 7:30 to 8:00 and listen for their unusual mating call. They said their croak sounds like, "Ko kee". We're supposed to call the OISC at 643-7378 or e-mail them at oisc@hawaii.edu if we hear it.
OK, I'm game. I'll put it down on my calendar and listen.
The coqui frog has been driving many people on the Big Island crazy and affecting their home values. I was hoping they could keep the frogs there, but apparently, the teeny, quarter-sized frogs must have stowed away on a ship or something. Oooorrrr.... you don't supposed some irresponsible person might have brought them over as pets do you? We do unfortunately have too many irresponsible people who brought over a whole slew of birds, reptiles, mammals, fish and plant life that don't belong here.
I'm kind of conflicted on this. I hope we don't hear it because they are such a problem invasive species and yet I'd like to hear what they sound like.
One of these days I'm going to have to take another trip to the Big Island.
Here's an article that came out in the Star Advertiser last week. Apparently the Oahu Invasive Species Committee is asking people on our island to go outside out homes on Wednesday between 7:30 to 8:00 and listen for their unusual mating call. They said their croak sounds like, "Ko kee". We're supposed to call the OISC at 643-7378 or e-mail them at oisc@hawaii.edu if we hear it.
OK, I'm game. I'll put it down on my calendar and listen.
The coqui frog has been driving many people on the Big Island crazy and affecting their home values. I was hoping they could keep the frogs there, but apparently, the teeny, quarter-sized frogs must have stowed away on a ship or something. Oooorrrr.... you don't supposed some irresponsible person might have brought them over as pets do you? We do unfortunately have too many irresponsible people who brought over a whole slew of birds, reptiles, mammals, fish and plant life that don't belong here.
I'm kind of conflicted on this. I hope we don't hear it because they are such a problem invasive species and yet I'd like to hear what they sound like.
One of these days I'm going to have to take another trip to the Big Island.
oh too bad about these frogs invading your island. We have this invasive beetle destroying Ash trees in our area...Asian Longhorn beetle I believe. It's a losing battle.
ReplyDeleteOH NO! We have those in Illinois also!
DeleteInvasive species are a problem in most parts of the world. I hope they are able to keep them away, but when you call them, I wonder what they do? I hope it's not too invasive itself!
ReplyDeletethe people in Puerto Rico seem to almost admire them, El Coqui. I guess it's an acquired appreciation. Found these on YouTube, below. I'll play them for the neighbors, lol.
ReplyDeletesize.
http://youtu.be/0rerAYLykbU?t=16s
sound
http://youtu.be/54-FzuE-w0U
http://youtu.be/Jd4Bti0ZWZ4
Oh my gosh! That's awful! I can see why people are so afraid of them. It's so LOUD! It's amazing that such a small creature can make such a loud sound. Lucky you live high up, eh?
Deletethey're even more awesome in the millions. However, Puerto Rico ex-pats term it as a symphony.
DeleteEwww. It's bad enough we have noisy neighbors, please let's not have coqui frogs, too!!!
ReplyDeleteAs the kids would say, this sounds yucky!! I hope you don't hear them.
ReplyDeleteThere's a cricket in my living room....somewhere...probably Jimminy, can't kill him even if I saw him. Bet your froggies would eat him though. If only Kauai could train the roosters to eat the frogs. DrumMajor
ReplyDeleteI don't know if Kauai has them yet. I only know of the Big Island who's got the infestation. Actually, the frogs are only the size of a quarter. Your crickets could probably eat the frogs. :-)
DeleteI don't think we have the frogs where we live...too dry. Listening to the youtube videos...I'd say it's the rain forest locations, wet with vegetation, that are prime real estate for these frogs??? I didn't bother reading that article, thanks to your blog, I am now aware of this problem.
ReplyDeleteL. from W.
oops ^^....article. (period) Thanks to your blog, I am now aware of this problem.
DeleteL. from W.
The theory is that they came in with Wal-Mart nursery plants. I know exactly where they were first detected; it's at the junction of Kilauea Ave. and Highway 19, where you go over a bridge to get onto the highway. They have been shrieking away for years. What happened is that they reached a population high and have somewhat subsided. We were alarmed about them at first and really angry, too, but we have calmed down. Now Terry just goes out and plugs the ones close to our house with a pellet gun. He got four last night.
ReplyDeleteI don't think they could become much of a menace on Oahu, at least not in the urban areas, where their habitat would be too fragmented. Just keep picking them off as they show up and don't worry about it.
Oh, and when you visit the Big Island be sure to come on by our place!
Sorry that I had to laugh. We had cousins that visited us recently from the Big Island. This is a very kind, warmhearted, peaceful, nature-loving cousin. However, when I mentioned the coqui frogs, she said that she goes out and just stomps on them because they drive her crazy at night. I have a feeling those frogs are diving people to violence... or dear. We already have enough violence on Oahu. Can you imagine what the frogs will do?
DeleteHaven't been able to comment on your blog for days but today it recognizes me...what ugly frogs-lol!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for persevering, Lin. I missed you.
DeleteYou should read about the Florida Everglades. People have let out their snakes and they have really wiping out the wildlife there. It is a big problem when people upset the balance of nature.
ReplyDeleteThat is just plain awful! Shame on them!
DeleteI had to laugh, what exactly did you write on your calendar reminder?
ReplyDeleteFrog Stomping...the new Hawaiian National pastime:) Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.
ReplyDeletewow, that could be very annoying, invasive species are a problem all over it almost impossible to control i suppose, where we lived on the lake the frogs in spring were so loud at night some people said it was like a horror movie but we were used to it and it really was only bad for a few weeks, they were a tiny frog also, we also have the Asian longhorn beetle eating our ash trees here in Sault Ste.Marie Ontarion, many huge trees have been cut down because of it, so sad but i think the worst thing I have read about invasive species were the huge snakes in florida, thats scary!
ReplyDeletewow, a plague of frogs!
ReplyDelete