Frog census is on

By Shannon Twomey
THE annual spring frog census has begun. Melbourne Water is relying on members of the public to join in the community effort to gather information about populations of the amphibians.
The monitoring program occurs across greater Melbourne and is sponsored by Melbourne Water in partnership with the Amphibian Research Centre.
Participants learn identification skills and increase their understanding of the life of frogs in their region.
The 2007 census found six types of frogs in the Yarra Ranges.
They were: Crinia signifera – Eastern (common) Froglet; Limnodynastes dumerili – Eastern Banjo Frog (Pobblebonk Frog); Litoria ewingii – Southern Brown (Ewing’s) Tree Frog; Limnodynastes tasmaniensis – Spotted Marsh Frog; Limnodynastes peroni – Striped Marsh Frog; and Litoria verreauxi ver – Whistling (Verreaux’s) Tree Frog.
The project also aims to raise community awareness about the health of rivers, creeks and wetlands.
There are 1137 frog census volunteers across Melbourne.
People interested in participating in the survey can gain tips from the Melbourne Water website.
For recording purposes, they need access to a tape recorder or digital recording equipment that makes a clear recording, such as a digital voice recorder, an MP3 player or iPod, or a camera or mobile phone that can also make sound recordings.
The information site advises participants to find the places where frogs are calling in their local area, such as in streams, rivers, ponds, wetlands and waterways.
Ideal time to hear frog call is at dusk on warm still nights before or after it rains.
On hearing a frog calling, participants record particular details on the datasheet provided and then get as close as possible, stating their name and location and then making a 30-second recording of the call.
People can register as individuals or as groups, on the Melbourne Water website. School groups and school activities about the frog census are listed on the website. www.melbournewater.com.au.