Hi everyone,
Dan and I have had a hugely exciting night at our local hill in Duffy (Narrabundah Hill). Dan came home after a run with the pooch and said he had heard Spotted Burrowing frogs (Neobatrachus sudelli) calling. This frog is a true burrowing frog, only emerging from its deep underground burrow after significant rain (we've had some of that lately, it seems!). Sure enough, Narrabundah Hill is alive with the "clink, clink, clink" of these amazing amphibians. I've certainly not heard them before (too dry) so that means these individuals have been patiently aestivating (a type of hibernation) for at least a couple of years, waiting for conditions to become favourable.
We easily found a cluster of 4 frogs (3 males and a female) amplexing in the puddly grass, despite the fact that it was only 6 degrees. Upon returning home, and when the wind was blowing in the right direction, we realised we could hear them from our front garden. I think it's going to be a frog-tastic spring this year!
Cheers,
Beth & Dan
