SPORTSMAN CREEK CONSERVATION AREA

” These frogs are a variable species and can appear as either light brown or dark brown between night and day. They can be found well away from water, ranging through all types of forest and open country. This frog reaches 40mm.”

I.D. and reference courtesy of Martyn Robinson. Naturalist- Search and Discover. 

“Many of the Pseudophryne toadlets are disappearing over much of their range although this species is not listed as threatened or endangered.” With a length between 30mm -60mm, no webbing and striking marbled belly. This toadlet is alive and pretending to be dead.

I.D courtesy of  Martyn Robinson  Naturalist. Australian Museum.

Further reference :  http://frogs.org.au/frogs/species/Pseudophryne/ coriacea/

“Although widespread and found in a variety of habitats, particularly around temporary swamps this frog is not common. Also known as the Freycinet Frog they reach 45mm and are similar to Litoria nasuta, from which it can be distinguished by the thigh pattern of brown and cream spots.” A new species for the Conservation Area and named after L. Freycinet, the French Navigator. They are capable of very long leaps.

Further information available at ; http://frogsaustralia.net.au/frogs/display.efm?frog_id=153

I.D. and Reference courtesy of Martyn Robinson. Naturalist. Australian Museum.

Named after F. Peron, the French Zooologist and one of the most common frogs found along the eastern seaboard. Growing to 65mm with a loud single call – “tok”.

Reference;  Robinson, M. A Field Guide to Frogs of Australia.

Although previously described, these images show how variable frog colouration can be ranging from dark brown to paler grey with dark blotches. Note the butterfly shaped patch on the back of the head.

I.D. Courtesy of Martyn Robinson. Naturalist, Australian Museum. 

An attractive frog which can change colour almost instantly from grey to dark brown with irregular mottling and scatterings of emerald green flecks.  Found in most forested habitats from Victoria, New South Wales and southern Queensland.

Reference;  Robinson, M.  A Field Guide to Frogs of Australia.

Hunting Orange Crane Fly by the night lights.

The follow up rains produced this new species to the wildlife refuge. Also known as the Scarlet-sided Pobblebonk they are “brown above with darker flecks. It has orange-red or scarlet markings in the thighs and sides. It has a broad band from the snout to the shoulder, underlined by a raised cream to orange bar. The armpit is orange and the undersides white”. Range from eastern Queensland to north-eastern New South Wales. Some surveys estimate up to possibly 50,000 individuals across their entire range.

Reference; http://www.ozanimals.com/Frog/Northern Banjo-Frog/Limnodynastes/terraereginae.html

Displaying night time markings of darker shade top with a scattering of white flecks along the body, also visible is a white stripe from the corner of the mouth towards the underarm. The image taken after rains with the frog enjoying hunting for insects from a water tank on the wildlife refuge.

Reference and further reading;  Robinson, M.  A Field Guide to Frogs of Australia.