The ACT and Region Frogwatch Program
What is Frogwatch?
Frogwatch is a community frog monitoring program that aims to involve large numbers of volunteers of all ages to undertake frog monitoring and protect frog habitats.
In National Water Week, the 3rd week of October each year, over 200 Frogwatch participants monitor frog populations at approximately 140 sites around the ACT and Region. Frogwatch participants attend a training seminar where they learn all about the fascinating world of frogs, how to monitor them, and ways to help protect them and their habitats. Frogwatch monitoring can be done all year round, but the focus is on National Water Week in October each year. This is when the majority of ACT frog species tend to be actively calling and mating.
Why monitor frogs?
Frog species are widely recognised as indicators of environmental health and their presence can indicate good water quality and the availability of high quality habitat. Conversely, the absence or decline of frog populations can indicate unhealthy or degraded catchments.
They are useful as a monitoring focus for a number of reasons:
- Frogs are sensitive to high concentrations of pollutants such as pesticides, detergents and industrial chemicals.
- Their eggs are ‘naked’ (ie they do not have a shell), and adult frogs have permeable skin, which they ‘drink’ and breathe through.
- This means that any toxic substances polluting a waterway will easily penetrate into the frogs’ system.
- As frogs require water to breed, we can assume that a waterway inhabited by frogs is relatively free of toxic pollutants.
- Each species has a distinctive mating call that is relatively easy to learn and recognise. That way, we can monitor frogs in a very non-invasive way, without disturbing them too much.
Frogwatch Census Information
The Frogwatch program generates significant information about the presence and approximate abundance of frog populations in the ACT and Region, and includes observations about habitat, vegetation and weather conditions.
The Frogwatch monitoring strategy has been developed in collaboration with Environment ACT’s Wildlife Research and Monitoring Unit, and has been designed to compliment their existing professional monitoring program. All Frogwatch data is verified by the Frogwatch Coordinator using audio recordings, and any unusual, rare or difficult identifications are also verified by staff from Environment ACT.
The data that we generate is used by a number of groups including:
- Community and catchment groups
- Environment ACT Wildlife Research and Monitoring Unit
- Teachers and Students
The Community Frogwatch Census Report
An annual report is produced that presents the results of each spring census. The report includes simple maps of presence / absence of frog species and estimate of abundance.
Analysis of the data is currently limited to describing the occurrence and estimated abundance of each species for the first few years of the monitoring program. As a bank of information is built up, a more rigorous analysis of the data will be possible, and trends may be able to be identified.
You can download a copy of our past Frogwatch Reports from here.
Frogwatch Training Events
Frogwatch training events are held in September / October in the lead up to the National Water Week Frogwatch Census, each year. Training events encompass the “Introductory Seminars” and “Field Trips
In an Introductory Seminar, participants are introduced to:
- frog species of the ACT and their habitat requirements;
- mating calls of frog species and identification techniques;
- procedures for preventing the spread of frog pathogens;
- procedures for undertaking and recording Frogwatch observations; and
- basic safety guidelines.
Frogwatch Field Trips are aimed at experienced Frogwatchers, who would like to further develop their identification and monitoring skills. Participants in the field trips will have the opportunity to investigate important components of frog habitat, and talk with expert ecologists in the field.
All Frogwatch volunteers recieve a free Frogwatch Kit. You can download the Kit from here.
Details of the Training Events are posted to the Frogwatch email list, and on this website, as they are arranged. To add your name to the Frogwatch email list, contact the Frogwatch Coordinator at waterwatch@ginninderralandcare.org.au.
Frogwatch in the Classroom
The Ginninderra Catchment Group also conducts a Frogwatch Education Program for school and community groups. Find out more about our schools programs here.
Lost Frogs?
A number of frogs are regularly accidentally imported into the ACT through fruit and vegie transport. They are usually tropical species that cannot survive in Canberra’s climate, nor can they be returned to their home state due to fears of spreading disease.
If you find one of these frogs, you can contact RSPCA Wildlife – they have carers who will look after the frogs. www.rspcawildlife.org.au or 6287 8100.
When you find frogs, you should place them in a clean (washed out with hot water only – no detergents or other chemicals) container. You can also put some boiled and cooled water and a small amount of lettuce in and then take them to the RSPCA.
To find out more or get involved, contact the ACT Frogwatch Coordinator with this link, or on waterwatch (at) ginninderralandcare.org.au.
The ACT and Region Frogwatch Program is funded through the ACT and Australian Government's National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality.
