So it’s been almost a month since my last post, but not since we last had rain. Almost everyday since my last post the rain has continued to hang around (not that I’m complaining). I’ve been out frogging a few times during this period and have noticed fewer frogs compared to when the Summer rains finally arrived late January.
I’d returned to Mooloolah River National Park with Jaimee, a friend of mine (see her bird blog on my Blogroll). There was substantially less frogs calling and visibly present compared to my first visit there, and this is despite much more standing water along the walking track. In fact, practically all the track was under water. Anyway, we still got to see some cool frogs (the first of several species for Jaimee).
Several days later I was invited out to a very nice spot out near Peachester to go frog monitoring with Dr Ed Meyer. As the night progressed though we became more and more puzzled as to why Litoria pearsoniana (Cascade Treefrogs) were not calling, or visibly present, despite the perfect habitat there. One species that are very abundant in the area though are the endangered Mixophyes iteratus (Giant Barred Frogs), several of which we passed by on our way back to our cars.
So apart from the both of us accidentally filling a boot each with water, and not sighting or hearing any Cascade Treefrogs, I really enjoyed frogging around!