More frogs at our place

Last night was rather windy and we didn't hear our mystery frog calling. From research and listening to calls recorded on the internet, I've narrowed it down to the Litoria fallax. This frog has many common names, Eastern Sedgefrog, Green Reed Frog and Dwarf Tree Frog.

The call is a very distinct "Reeeek...pip, pip". It's also very similar sounding to the Cooloola Sedgefrog (Litoria cooloolensis) but its habitat is described as coast, lowland rainforest areas or wallum country, which my place is not, so I've excluded that one. However, I will continue to listen out and try and catch a glimps of our mystery frog, just so I can be sure.

I have included a picture of Litoria fallax, isn't it gorgeous? I'm so excited to think we have this little frog calling our place home at the moment. I am even more amazed that frogs come and go from our place and in the 10 years I've lived here, I've never heard this little frog call before. How they make their way here just amazes me.

We decided to go out with the torch and check the pond last night, even though we couldn't hear any calls. My daughter immediately spotted a Striped Marsh Frog (Limnodynastes peronii). This frog has been a resident of our pond, to our knowledge, for well over a year. We know because this particular frog only has one eye. She has spotted and caught him several times before. Striped Marsh Frogs are common and widespread and fish ponds are a favoured breeding site. We often see the big foamy egg nests in the reeds after rainfall. It has a very distinct call, which is a short and sharp "toc". We hear it calling often.

The most distinctive features that I use to identify this frog, are the dark stripes down its back with a lighter central stipe along the middle of the back.

See how it's missing an eye? After rainfall, we have seen several of the same species in the pond but on a more regular basis, we only see this one. Will be interesting to keep track of it and how often we see it over the years. Apparently they live for 5-8 years.

Ornate Burrowing-frog

We have several frogs that live about our place. Some reside in our shed or drains. Some in our backyard pond. Lately I've been hearing a new frog out in the pond on dusk. I haven't caught a glimps of it yet but have listened intently to its call. Last night I recorded its call and so hopefully I'll be able to identify it soon.

Then this morning I was upstairs and I happened to look out the window at the pond. I noticed a frog amoung the reeds, so I raced down and snapped a few shots of this gorgeous little fello.

I identified it as an Ornate Burrowing frog. It's a species of ground frog native to Australia. Previously this species was known as Limnodynastes ornatus and then Opisthodon ornatus, in 2006 following a major revision of amphibians. Now reclassified again as Platylectrum ornatum.

The most distinguishing feature I noticed was the patch of pale markings between and behind the eyes. Also the strips down its legs. It's call however it a resonant, nasal "unkh" which is not the call I recorded last night. So I'm excited to know we have several different species living in my own backyard.

From reading, this little burrowing frog generally is only seen after rains. We did have a spit of rain last night and from the weather predicted this week, we are meant to be in for more rain. So maybe this has brought it out of its burrow and into my pond. Lucky for us!