Description

A sparrow sized, olive-green finch with a bright red bill, eyebrow and rump. Locally this species favours Stream bank Shrubland. It may also use reed beds and Stony Knoll Shrubland.

Habitat needs

• Seeding grasses and sedges for food.
• Dense shrubs near feeding habitat in which to escape from predators.
• Dense, prickly shrubs in which to build nests.

Threats

• Loss of dense prickly shrub habitat, especially where exotic woody weeds like Gorse or Hawthorn are removed prior to establishment of suitable replacements.
• Predators such as cats and foxes.

Things to note

• Soft, peevish calls are used to keep the small flocks in touch.

Things to do

• Plant clumps of indigenous shrubs for nesting such as Sweet Bursaria and Tree Violet.
• Fence off and re-establish shrubs on Stony Knolls and along creeklines.
• Stage removals of woody weed patches over a number of years to allow time for replacement plantings to mature.
• Retain some areas of seeding grasses within the landscape.

Description

A large bright green frog (up to 100mm). The belly is white and the groin and armpits are tinged blue. The call is a loud growling waaarrrk! ah! ah! ah! wa!

Habitat needs

• Dams and pools that retain water in early summer are needed for breeding.
• Aquatic vegetation for basking is ideal but tall, dense reeds may become too shady.
• The frogs use drystone walls and logs to shelter under in cool and dry weather.
• Good breeding populations of prey species.

Threats

• This species is Nationally Endangered and vulnerable in Victoria.
• Loss or degradation of wetland habitat including silt and pollution runoff.
• Loss of foraging areas around the wetlands.
• Clearing of rocks and logs in areas surrounding breeding sites.
• Use of herbicides and pesticides.
• Predation on eggs and tadpoles by introduced fish; Redfin, Carp and Mosquito Fish.
• Viral, bacterial and fungal diseases.

Things to note

• This frog moves hundreds of metres hunting other frogs and large insects.
• Breeding occurs in October-January, eggs are laid in a jelly raft.
• The Merri Creek catchment is an important site for this species’ conservation.

Things to do

• Protect wetlands and creeklines on your property by fencing. Dense pasture grasses can hinder frog movement and hunting so some periodic grazing may be useful.
• Encourage aquatic plants like Water-ribbons and Pondweeds.
• Retain areas of boulders, drystone walls and logs near wetlands.
• Limit the movement of water plants or mud between wetlands to avoid spreading disease or Mosquito fish.