Putting the call out for croaks
A new frog survey program has been developed to capture information about frogs, help discover and describe new types of frogs and expand the known distribution of frogs, particularly in the more remote areas of South Australia.
The FrogWatch SA website and FrogSpotter app were launched in May by the Sustainability, Environment and Conservation Minister. They were developed with the support of the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management Board, Zoos SA, Beach Energy, and the City of Onkaparinga.
Natural Resources Northern and Yorke Water Officer Jennifer Munro said frogs are an important indicator species for the health and condition of creeks and rivers.
“FrogWatch is your chance to help the understanding of how frogs in the Northern and Yorke region are tracking, while the Frogspotter app is an easy way to add your frog experience to the survey data for South Australia,” Ms Munro said.
“More than 250 recordings have been added so far across South Australia, however many species do not have call recordings as yet, so you could be the first to provide a recording.
“The wet spring season provides a great opportunity to add recordings for the Northern and Yorke region to the surveys.”
The FrogSpotter app enables anyone with a smartphone or tablet to record frog calls for three to five minutes and note the GPS location, type of habitat, weather, time of day, as well as photograph the location, all of which can be uploaded to form part of the frog survey database for South Australia.”
Some frog species in the Northern and Yorke region to look out for are the Southern Flinders Ranges Froglet, Burrowing Frog, Bibron’s Toadlet and the Flinders Ranges Toadlet.
Bibron’s Toadlet is a rare species and until recently, there had been very few sightings of the frog for several years.
The frog lays its eggs on land in areas subject to flooding, unlike most frog species that lay their eggs directly in water.
Frogs were easy to monitor because each species has its own distinct call.
Before heading out, people are advised to familiarise themselves with some SA frog calls by listening on the FrogWatch SA website or on the app.
The FrogSpotter app lets people of all ages, knowledge and background identify frogs in their own backyard and add to the research.
The app is gaining popularity with 257 registrations, and information has been received from all over the state, with 74 recordings taken in the Riverland, Flinders Ranges, Eyre Peninsula and the Lower Lakes.
To get involved, visit the website and download the app www.frogwatchsa.com.au or email info@frogwatchsa.com.au.
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