October, 2014

Dear Landholders,

Thank you again for allowing me to conduct my surveys on your property, my research wouldn’t be possible without you. I have really enjoyed meeting you and investigating the diverse frog communities and landscapes. It has been a lot of fun, and hard work and my research assistant Carmen Amos and I managed to capture quite a few nice tadpole and frog moments which I would like to share with you.

This August, we surveyed a total of 65 creeks, dams and wetlands spanning from Frogmore and Reid’s Flat in the south-east to Kiacatoo, approximately 260 km north west. The purpose of the day time surveys is to collect information about the environments in which the different frog species live and breed. This involved taking water quality measurements, recording predominant plant species and their proportions, and recording the presence of tadpoles and egg masses using a dip net. The aim of the night time surveys, which I particularly enjoy, is to listen and look for the different species of adult frog living and breeding there.

Map of the Lachlan Catchment showing the location of the study sites.

Overall, I identified seven frog species during the winter surveys. I have provided further information about each of the species, the region they were sighted in and how they are identified in the table below. In Australia, most frog species are only active during the warmer months of spring and summer so I expect to see and hear more different species in the upcoming surveys. Spotted Marsh Frog Barking Marsh Frog Eastern Sign-bearing Peron’s Tree Frog Sudell’s Frog South-eastern Banjo (L. tasmaniensis) (Limnodynastes fletcheri) Froglet (Crinia signifera) (Litoria peronii) (Neobatrachus sudelli) Frog (Limnodynastes (Crinia parinsignifera) dumerilii) Size Medium (3.5-4.5 cm Medium (4.5-5.5 cm) Small (usually <2c m Small (<3 cm long) Medium (about 5 cm) Medium (4-5 cm long) Medium/large (7-7.3 long) long) cm)

Call A rapid ‘uuk-uuk-uuk- Low pitched ‘wuk’ A squelch, or ‘eeeekk’, Single, often repeated Low, ascending cackle. A short trill. Loud, explosive ‘bonk’ uuk’ or tok-tok-tok. repeated regularly can be singular or ‘crick’, or a continuous repeated at regular (similar to a dog bark). repeated rapidly. cricket like chorus. intervals.

Colour Green to dark brown. Very similar to the Dark brown and Highly variable - cream, Grey to dark brown. Dark brown, with or Dark grey-brown or range & Commonly symmetrical Spotted Marsh Frog but chestnut to light grey. beige, brown, grey or Green flecking is common without discrete darker brown back. Dark stripe markings regular shaped dorsal lacks the pale back stripe reddish with darker or as is bright yellow with patches, and a yellow mid from snout tip to above spots and a yellow, red common in Spotted lighter symmetrical black mottling on the vertebral stripe. arm, below which, the or white stripe down the Marsh Frogs. Large stripes, patches spots inner hind-thighs. underside is orange- back. irregularly shaped darker down its back. Can also brown or yellow. Sides brown patches. Eye lids be all brown usually orange-brown may be rose-pink (rare with/without a fine with orange or yellow for Spotted Marsh Frog). cream mid-dorsal line mottling.

Breeding Late winter, spring and Peaks in spring to Year-round following Autumn to spring (most Spring and summer, or Winter to spring. Mainly spring and early time summer. autumn. heavy rain events, prolific after rain). when air temperatures summer, but can call at particularly during the are higher than 20C. other times of the year cooler months. following rain. Distribution Widespread and Detected only in Widespread & common Found east of Goologong This tree frog species This burrowing species was Identified at only one throughout common species, readily Condobolin, however this – found in all study only (Cowra, Reid’s Flat requires standing timber uncommon, identified in site in Cowra, this the region colonise all types of survey was conducted areas (Frogmore, Reid’s and Frogmore). as habitat. This species the Forbes and Kiacatoo species is more likely freshwater water bodies. outside of their active Flat, Cowra, Goologong, was only detected in regions only. to be detected in breeding season Forbes, Condobolin & Condobolin during the warmer weather. Identified in all regions (spring/autumn), Kiacatoo). Highly winter surveys however it except for Frogmore. therefore expected in adaptable, this species is expected to become warmer surveys. can live in a range of more active in spring and habitats. summer.

Photo courtesy of Carmen Photo courtesy of Carmen Photo courtesy of Carmen Amos Amos Photo courtesy of Carmen Amos Amos Table 1. Distinguishing characteristics of the seven frog species identified during the winter surveys. Please note that colour is highly variable within species however factors such as size, shape (features), pattern and eye position/shape are more distinguishable. For further information regarding the frog species in your area, including recordings of their unique calls, I recommend that you visit the Frogs Australia website: www.frogs.org.au (it is very hard to describe the sound of the calls in writing).

Thanks again for your help and interest, I hope to see you again in November for some more of the same! If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Many thanks,

Amelia Walcott

PhD candidate

Charles Sturt University, Albury Elizabeth Mitchell Drive Thurgoona Mob.: 0448098317 E: [email protected]

Spotted Marsh Frog

A Spotted Marsh Frog floating amongst the reeds

A male Spotted Marsh Frog calling beside a freshly laid egg mass

Common Eastern Froglets in amplexus (mating). Photo Spotted Marsh Frog tadpoles courtesy of Carmen Amos

An Eastern Sign-bearing Froglet, very difficult to catch on camera. Photo courtesy of Carmen Amos

A handful of Spotted Marsh Frog tadpoles, a sign of healthy breeding activity

Common Eastern Froglet. Photo courtesy of Carmen Amos

An inconspicuous little Spotted Marsh Frog

A perturbed Eastern long-necked turtle. Photo courtesy of Carmen Amos

South-eastern Banjo Frog found Carmen with a yabby she calling beside an egg mass. Photo managed to catch in the dip net courtesy of Carmen Amos