Michaela Meade
Melton and Moorabool residents are being encouraged to hop in and take part in the 20th annual Frog Census.
The Frog Census is a community-based frog monitoring program, which was established in 2001.
The census uses data submitted by “citizen scientists” to help Melbourne Water teams track the health of the city’s frog populations, protect frog habitat areas and improve waterway health.
Melbourne Water’s waterwatch co-ordinator James Frazer said almost 14,000 frog reports have been submitted by volunteers since the census was created.
“Importantly, this amazing group of people have detected rare and endangered frogs such as the Growling Grass Frog, Southern Toadlet and Bibron’s Toadlet at a number of Melbourne sites,” Mr Frazer said.
“Our communities have also been instrumental in helping identify priority locations for conservation efforts including improving habitat and water quality.”
According to Atlas of Living Australia, the most reported species of frog in the Melton area included the Southern Bell frog (449) and the Common Froglet (171).
The Moorabool area’s most reported frogs in the census included the Common Froglet (531), the Brown Tree frog (342) and Lesueur’s Frog (100).
Residents can take part in the census via the Frog Census phone app, or in the Frog Census Facebook group.
