Frogs have been numerous this month. Several species can be heard at most wetlands, and people are reporting frog calls they have not heard before.
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Frothy masses of white frogspawn are being reported from several wetlands too.
The most common frogs close to Ballarat are the brown tree frog, the common froglet, and the eastern banjo frog (pobblebonk). These three are all different in size, and each makes a very different call from the others.
This spring, we are hearing more of three other species: the spotted marsh frog, the striped marshfrog, and the eastern spadefoot toad. These three are larger frogs. Others are the plains froglet and the southern toadlet, both small species.
Both of the marsh frogs have loud single calls. One is more of a “cluck” – something like the “bonk” of a banjo frog –while the other is a “click”, rather like two stones being hit together.
Some of the larger frogs make the white frothy masses of eggs at the water’s surface. Other species lay their eggs completely underwater. The frothy masses could belong to the eastern banjo frog or the two marsh frog species. The tadpoles hatch after a few days and drop into the water shortly before the foam disintegrates.
Tadpoles have already appeared in a few places, and many more will be evident within a couple of weeks, especially as sunlight increases water temperatures.
Spring’s rainfall has certainly suited local frogs. It is some years since I have heard the eastern spadefoot toad. I hear its trilling call only at night, and only when the ground is saturated and rain is falling.
The frog itself is rarely seen because it spends the day underground. It’s a large, plump, toad-like frog, rather similar in size and appearance to the eastern banjo frog or pobblebonk.
The extended rainfall should result in numerous tadpoles and an increase in frog populations across the Ballarat region and beyond.
WATERBIRDS AWAY
Recent rains seem to have caused waterbirds of several species to move away from some of the larger lakes.
This is particularly noticeable at Lake Wendouree, where coots, grebes and ducks are now much reduced in numbers.
Waterbird numbers have dropped at Lake Burrumbeet and Lake Learmonth as well.
A weekend check at Lake Burrumbeet revealed only a dozen pelicans, a much lower total than before the level rose. Gulls are now scarcer there also.
The movement away from this district is probably a result of more recently-filled wetland habitat being available across a large part of eastern Australia.
