February is here and with it comes the annual call for an army of frog finders to head outdoors and help protect one of the local hinterland’s most loved wildlife groups.
The Find a Frog in February Citizen Science program is entering its tenth year, inviting residents across Cooroy, Pomona and surrounding hinterland communities to look, listen and record local frog activity in backyards, farm dams, creeks, roadside drains and bushland.
Frogs are often described as easy to love, with their permanent smiles, gentle nature and evening chorus that signals summer rain. In the hinterland, their calls are a familiar sound after storms, rising from creeks, paddocks and forest edges. Beyond their charm, frogs play a vital role as indicators of environmental health. Because they breathe and absorb moisture through their skin, they are highly sensitive to changes in water quality, chemical use and habitat loss.
Across the world, more than 40 per cent of frog species are threatened. The program area, which includes Noosa, Sunshine Coast, Gympie and Fraser Coast council regions, is home to more than 45 frog species. Ten of these are listed as threatened or have already disappeared. Local organisers say the hinterland is particularly important, with its mix of remnant bushland, waterways and private land providing key habitat for many species.
Over the past nine years, more than 2,250 community members have taken part, submitting 25,375 verified records of 39 species. Many frog finders return to the same spot each year, whether it is a dam on a rural property, a creek near town or a backyard pond. These long-term records help scientists track changes in frog numbers and breeding patterns over time.
The information collected supports better management of waterways, wetlands and surrounding vegetation, benefiting frogs as well as birds, insects and other wildlife that depend on healthy ecosystems.
Residents of all ages and experience levels are encouraged to take part. Participants can photograph frogs or record their calls during February and submit their observations for expert identification and entry into the Queensland WildNet database. Call recordings are especially valuable in the hinterland, where frogs are often heard more easily than seen.
Simple actions around the home or property can make a real difference. Leaving some areas messy, such as fallen logs, leaf litter, rock piles and long grass, provides shelter from heat and predators. Reducing chemical use is critical, as runoff from gardens, paddocks and driveways can flow directly into creeks and dams. Even soap residue can be harmful to frogs.
Providing water is another effective step. Farm dams, garden ponds, swamps, creeks and natural depressions that fill after rain all offer important breeding habitat, especially when surrounded by a mix of vegetation and shaded areas.
Participants are reminded not to move frogs, eggs or tadpoles, as this increases the risk of spreading disease. Disinfecting shoes and equipment when moving between waterways is recommended, using a one per cent bleach solution or allowing items to dry completely. Keeping cats indoors at night also reduces pressure on frogs and other native wildlife.
Learning to recognise the difference between native frogs and cane toads is important in the hinterland, particularly for residents involved in cane toad control. Climate change is an increasing threat, with changing rainfall patterns affecting breeding cycles.
There are three ways to submit observations, including the Find a Frog in February record sheet, the iNaturalist project and the FrogID group. Details are available at mrccc.org.au/frog-in-february.
Find a Frog in February is delivered by the Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee with support from Noosa Shire Council and neighbouring councils. Organisers say every frog spotted or heard helps build a clearer picture of the health of the hinterland environment. For more information visit: mrccc.org.au/frog-in-february