Goulburn Broken CMA project officer Janice Mentiplay-Smith said the barking marsh frog (Limnodynastes fletcheri) could be found under damp rocks, logs and even yabby burrows in the region’s grey box grassy woodlands environment.
“The short, ‘barking dog’ whrup-whurp call is made by the male, usually from floating vegetation, while seeking a mate,” Ms Mentiplay-Smith said.
“The female needs still water such as a farm dam to lay her eggs, so if you live on a property with water, from a small waterhole to a large farm dam, you can make a difference for this frog.
“Farm dams are increasingly seen as not only necessary farm infrastructure, but as wonderful opportunities to increase biodiversity in the farming landscape.”
Ms Mentiplay-Smith said even small waterholes or low areas on a property that collected water after a big rain event were important to the barking marsh frog.
“Protecting farm dams by fencing them from stock and allowing vegetation to grow or even dragging a few logs to the water’s edge creates habitat for frogs,” she said.
“When you protect farm dams, it helps to improve water quality, which in turn makes for more attractive homes for a variety of animals and insects including frogs, which are hyper-sensitive to water conditions.”
The Australian National University Sustainable Farms project has information on how to adapt and rehabilitate farm dams for frog and other wildlife habitat, while retaining their original purpose as a source of farm water on its website.
Throughout 2022, the Goulburn Broken CMA and partners are celebrating the Year of the Frog, featuring a local frog species each month as part of the Linking Landscapes and Communities Project.
For more information, phone Janice Mentiplay-Smith on 0418 316 169 or email: janicem@gbcma.vic.gov.au
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