Join the army of Frog Finders in February this year!

In February, citizen scientists from the community (which could include you!) are encouraged to get out and collect information on the location of frogs, the habitats they use, and their abundance.

2023 marks the seventh year of the Find a Frog in February (FFS) citizen science program.

This cool little initiative is facilitated by the Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee (MRCCC) for the communities of the Mary, Mooloola, Maroochy, Noosa and Burrum Rivers and coastal areas.

Local community members are encouraged to send in frog observations during the month of February each year.

It’s usually relatively easy to find hoppers. The Mary River catchment and surrounds support over 40 frog species. Unfortunately, around 10 of them are vulnerable, endangered, or have disappeared in recent decades. Why? Feral animals, the loss of habitat extent and quality due to swamp draining, vegetation clearing, and weed invasion are just some of the reasons.

But did you know that because frogs rely both on aquatic and terrestrial habitats to complete their life cycle and because of their sensitivity to substances passing through their skin, they are key indicators of changes in the surrounding environments? This means that by gathering information about frogs, we can gain information on the status of wetlands, waterways, and all components of our environment to manage them in the best possible way.

Over the past six years, FFF frog finders have contributed to the knowledge of 33 species from 1370 locations, with the number of records coming in at about 18,000!

Every record counts because even common species, such as green treefrogs, can be affected by the changing environment and modern pressures.

Here are some ways to send your observations.

The MRCCC has put together some suggestions for citizen scientists to help find frogs:

• Make your frog observations count – submit your photos and/or call recordings to FFF or a reputable database.
• Keep some areas ‘messy’ – logs and branches, leaf litter, rock piles, tall grass creates a ‘high-rise’ structure that provides more homes for frogs than a single-story dwelling.
• Provide water – ponds, dams, swamps, low areas that fill when it rains, and creeks, all with a variety of vegetation, structures, and even some bare areas.
• Don’t move eggs, tadpoles, or frogs about – this increases the risk of disease spread.
• Keep pollutants out of the environment – chemicals travel easily in water that flows across the land, along drains, and through the soil profile. Soap is a frog’s enemy!
• Promote the protection of waterways and water quality in your area.
• Consider protecting and reinstating wetlands (billabongs/swamps) that are grazed and/or have been drained or modified.
• Keep your cats indoors at night as they hunt frogs and other wildlife.
• Know the difference between cane toads and other frog look-alikes.

 

Visit the Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee (MRCCC) website for more information, workshops dates, and for all things ‘froggy’ or contact findafrog@mrccc.org.au or (07) 5482 4766.

Happy frog finding!

 

Source: MRCCC website.