Yesterday evening I was alerted to the call of two banjo frogs in our garden. I discovered the two frogs in our pond and they appeared to be fighting, although not too seriously. They were both calling but one was much louder than the other. I was pleased to see them as we have been hearing the calls recently but not actually seen the frogs. To my delight when I looked at the pond this morning there are two foam nests. The larger one attached to the vegetation at the side of the pond and the other floating loose. One of the frogs was hiding in the vegetation next to the large nest.

 The pond has been established for a few years now and we have had several lots of motorbike frog tadpoles. The pond was out of action for a year due to a leak which was fixed last december but the pump no longer works. So the pond has changed from having moving water to still. In fact although it is a fair size pond the water is a bit murkey. The information I have read also says that that now is not the usual breeding season for Banjo frogs. Any thoughts?

We live in Rockingham and always have lots of motorbike frogs in our garden, occasionally see a banjo frog and slender tree frogs. We have seen herons in the pond on a few occasions and sometimes have visits from a Rufous Hight Heron, acting suspiciously. Our neighbours also have a pond so easy pickings for frogs and tadpoles I think.

Banjo frog breeding season is usually winter to spring, so these guys are getting it on a little early.  I wonder if the change in the pond conditions has suited them perfectly and they just couldn’t wait to try it out! 

Each species of frog have evolved quite specific breeding requirements and sometimes it takes a bit of experimentation and attention to detail to create just the right habitat for all our beautiful native frogs in your own back yard.

He reminded me that not all frogs need a big pond with clear, clean water to survive. In fact most of them would prefer just a bit of boggy ground to lie in and congregate around.

Motorbike frogs are about the only species of frog in WA which have evolved to depend on pools of water for reproduction. Most other species, including Slender Tree frogs, only require a bog to meet their water needs.

The important thing to remember when creating your frog friendly garden is to create a variety of water levels and provide plenty of under growth for hiding and foraging. This way you will be providing diverse habitats for all frog species and soon you will be seeing all types of frogs hanging out in your backyard!

For more information on creating diverse habitats for frogs in your backyard take a look at the Frog Species of the Perth Metropolitan Area and their Habitat Requirements page listed under Frog Stuff to the right of this story.