15 March 2007
CALLING ALL FROG LOVERS
Local frog lovers are being encouraged to get in training and sign up for Melbourne Water's next frog census, a community-based program that records the calls of frogs in rivers, creeks and wetlands across the region.
Melbourne Water is hosting free training sessions at five locations across the region - Blackburn, Alphington, Mount Martha, Riddells Creek and Werribee - over the coming weeks.
Melbourne Water general manager for waterways Chris Chesterfield said the training is open to everyone and would teach volunteers the skills to successfully find and record frogs in their local area.
"The Melbourne Water Frog Census is held twice a year with the help of volunteers who record the calls of frogs in their local rivers, creeks and wetlands," Mr Chesterfield said.
"The census helps us to identify the number, distribution and habitat of frogs around the region, and the results are a great indicator of the health of our waterways.
"With the help of our ever-increasing army of volunteers, eight different species of frogs have been found at 158 different sites across the Port Phillip and Westernport region, including the Eastern Common Froglet, Victorian Smooth Froglet, Pobblebonk, Stripped Marsh Frog, Spotted Marsh Frog, Southern Brown Tree Frog, Whistling Tree Frog and the Eastern Dwarf Tree Frog."
Mr Chesterfield said frog experts from the Amphibian Research Centre would deliver the free training sessions.
"Each volunteer will receive a free 'frog kit' containing a blank audio tape, a pre-paid Postpak envelope to return their recorded calls, and an instruction booklet on how to record frog calls.
"All that's required of our volunteers is suitable clothes and shoes for fieldwork, their own transport and a keen ear for frog calls," Mr Chesterfield said.
The Melbourne Water Autumn 2007 Frog Census will be held during April and May, with results published on Melbourne Water's frog website at melbournewater.com.au/frogs.
Bookings for the training sessions are essential. To take part, contact Melbourne Water on 131 722 or email frogs@melbournewater.com.au.
The Frog Census is funded and coordinated by Melbourne Water and run in partnership with the Amphibian Research Centre and the Waterwatch program.
Melbourne Water invests about $31 million a year on protecting and improving rivers and creeks, building wetlands, and creating important habitats for frogs.