The winter is certainly thawing in most parts of the state and little by little it’s clear that spring is here. It might not be consistently warm yet, but the trees are sprouting buds and flowers are beginning to emerge from the soil. In short, warmer and happier days can’t be far away. As we look for the little signs of spring, you may be wondering do spring peepers come out in Maine? Yes! Keep an eye out for the unmistakable sound.
The Spring Peeper frog can be found throughout the eastern part of the United States and Canada. While it’s actually called the “Pseudacris crucifer,” most folks just know it by the name that refers to their singing voices indicating that spring has arrived.
Fyn Kynd / Flickr
Peepers lay as many as 1,000 eggs at a single time and the tadpoles remain for about two to three months before becoming the frogs we recognize.
ShortBus at English Wikipedia / Public domain
They’re considered woodland creatures where they can be found near ponds, streams, or swamps, particularly on the ground near leaves. This allows them to blend in and stay safe.
Fyn Kynd / Flickr
Of course, these aren’t the only frogs here in Maine. So, how do you identify a Spring Peeper? First, there’s the unmistakable high-pitched call.
USGS / Public domain
Each frog has a vocal sac that they expand and deflate like a balloon. While it might sound like every frog within miles is singing, the sound is actually only made by males when they’re trying to attract a mate.
usfwsnortheast / Flickr
Spring Peepers also look different from other species of frogs. They have an X-shaped mark on their backs making them impossible to miss.
Judy Gallagher / Flickr
Males have dark throats, while females are typically lighter-colored.
Justin Meissen / Flickr
While they can be identified fairly easily, don’t expect to see many. They’re nocturnal, which means they only come out after dark to feed on small insects such as beetles, ants, flies, and spiders. And they’re one of the smallest species you’ll find.
Fyn Kynd / Flickr While you can’t see them, the sound is unmistakable. In the evening, sit outside or even near a window and listen for the sign that spring is here in Maine!
You can learn more about Spring Peepers in Maine on the University of Maine fact sheet website. Have you heard their call yet? If so, let us know where! And, if you’re interested in more springtime nature in the Pine Tree State, there are some fanciful little fliers that you’ll definitely want to keep an eye out for!
Fyn Kynd / Flickr
ShortBus at English Wikipedia / Public domain
USGS / Public domain
usfwsnortheast / Flickr
Judy Gallagher / Flickr
Justin Meissen / Flickr
While you can’t see them, the sound is unmistakable. In the evening, sit outside or even near a window and listen for the sign that spring is here in Maine!
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The OIYS Visitor Center
do spring peepers come out in Maine March 08, 2022 Sarah M. What are some beautiful spring hikes in Maine? While we love hiking any time of the year in the Pine Tree State, there’s just something extra special about hitting the trails in the spring. Verdant green forests, rushing rivers, quintessential coastline … what could be better? One of our favorite spring hikes in Maine is at Higgins Mountain. Located in Reid State Park, the trail itself is a little more than a mile and the summit is beautiful – especially during a colorful spring sunset! Another hike we love to take during the spring is in Alewive Woods Preserve in Kennebunk. This forested preserve is approximately 625 acres and includes the lovely Alewife Pond; during the spring when the landscape shifts from brown to green, this forest is like something out of a Tolkien world! Making this a springtime hike means seeing all of the wonderful wildflowers – but if you miss that, make it a summer trip for blueberry picking! Better yet – do both! There are about 2.5 miles of trails making up the entire network, so plan on spending a good couple of hours here. What are some signs of spring in Maine? In addition to the arrival of spring peepers, the hummingbirds are another surefire sign that spring is on its way to Maine. Each year in February, hummingbirds migrate from Mexico and Central America heading for the United States and Canada. Of the 300 different species of hummingbirds, about 12 make the trip north to our little corner of the country. We can expect to start seeing the first arrivals in the first week of May. Mainly males, this first group will arrive and stake out their own feeding areas. According to hummingbird-guide.com, females follow soon after and most leave by the end of September. That makes for an entire summer of spotting these beautiful, beguiling little creatures … how delightful!
The OIYS Visitor Center
do spring peepers come out in Maine
March 08, 2022
Sarah M.
What are some beautiful spring hikes in Maine? While we love hiking any time of the year in the Pine Tree State, there’s just something extra special about hitting the trails in the spring. Verdant green forests, rushing rivers, quintessential coastline … what could be better? One of our favorite spring hikes in Maine is at Higgins Mountain. Located in Reid State Park, the trail itself is a little more than a mile and the summit is beautiful – especially during a colorful spring sunset! Another hike we love to take during the spring is in Alewive Woods Preserve in Kennebunk. This forested preserve is approximately 625 acres and includes the lovely Alewife Pond; during the spring when the landscape shifts from brown to green, this forest is like something out of a Tolkien world! Making this a springtime hike means seeing all of the wonderful wildflowers – but if you miss that, make it a summer trip for blueberry picking! Better yet – do both! There are about 2.5 miles of trails making up the entire network, so plan on spending a good couple of hours here. What are some signs of spring in Maine? In addition to the arrival of spring peepers, the hummingbirds are another surefire sign that spring is on its way to Maine. Each year in February, hummingbirds migrate from Mexico and Central America heading for the United States and Canada. Of the 300 different species of hummingbirds, about 12 make the trip north to our little corner of the country. We can expect to start seeing the first arrivals in the first week of May. Mainly males, this first group will arrive and stake out their own feeding areas. According to hummingbird-guide.com, females follow soon after and most leave by the end of September. That makes for an entire summer of spotting these beautiful, beguiling little creatures … how delightful!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
While we love hiking any time of the year in the Pine Tree State, there’s just something extra special about hitting the trails in the spring. Verdant green forests, rushing rivers, quintessential coastline … what could be better? One of our favorite spring hikes in Maine is at Higgins Mountain. Located in Reid State Park, the trail itself is a little more than a mile and the summit is beautiful – especially during a colorful spring sunset! Another hike we love to take during the spring is in Alewive Woods Preserve in Kennebunk. This forested preserve is approximately 625 acres and includes the lovely Alewife Pond; during the spring when the landscape shifts from brown to green, this forest is like something out of a Tolkien world! Making this a springtime hike means seeing all of the wonderful wildflowers – but if you miss that, make it a summer trip for blueberry picking! Better yet – do both! There are about 2.5 miles of trails making up the entire network, so plan on spending a good couple of hours here.
What are some signs of spring in Maine?
In addition to the arrival of spring peepers, the hummingbirds are another surefire sign that spring is on its way to Maine. Each year in February, hummingbirds migrate from Mexico and Central America heading for the United States and Canada. Of the 300 different species of hummingbirds, about 12 make the trip north to our little corner of the country. We can expect to start seeing the first arrivals in the first week of May. Mainly males, this first group will arrive and stake out their own feeding areas. According to hummingbird-guide.com, females follow soon after and most leave by the end of September. That makes for an entire summer of spotting these beautiful, beguiling little creatures … how delightful!
