DES MOINES — Have a good ear for animals? Have an eye for
avians? The Iowa Department of Natural Resources may want to
talk to you. The IDNR's Volunteer Wildlife Monitoring Program
relies on people throughout the state to watch and listen to the
state's fauna and record what they observe. While bird counters
may use binoculars, volunteers for other animals, like frogs,
have a tougher time. Simply put, a lot of frogs don't wait
around for people to visually identify them. As soon as they see
someone close by the person hears a "plop" and the frog is under
water. Identifying animals at night poses similar challenges. So
the IDNR trains people on how to track specific types of
animals. Those who prefer birds can take part in training
designed to teach how to monitor raptor and waterbird nesting
sites. Fans of frogs can take a course to teach them how to
distinguish between frog calls. Both are chosen for specific
reasons. Herons, egrets, night herons and cormorants are top
predators in their environments. So the