Hawkesbury residents are being encouraged to listen to the evening chorus and help scientists learn more about Australia’s frogs.
The Australian Museum’s annual FrogID Week is underway until Sunday, 15 November, inviting anyone with a smartphone to record frog calls through the free FrogID app.
Now in its ninth year, Australia’s biggest frog count gives residents a chance to contribute to scientific research from their own backyard.
Across the Hawkesbury’s gardens, rural properties and waterways, the sounds of frogs can provide clues about which species are present. Participants record those calls and submit them through the app for identification by the FrogID team.
The recordings help researchers track where frogs occur and how their populations and habitats change over time.
You do not need to recognise the species before taking part. Listening and capturing a clear recording is enough to help build the national picture.
This year, scientists are particularly interested in recordings of 20 priority species, including the green and golden bell frog, which occurs in south-eastern Australia. Recordings of other frogs also contribute to the project.
For families, the count offers a simple opportunity to discover wildlife close to home. A familiar croak from the garden could become the starting point for learning about an animal that is often heard more readily than seen.
Residents can participate by downloading the FrogID app, recording calling frogs and submitting their recordings. There is no need to catch or handle a frog to join the count.
The project aims to build an understanding of how frogs and their ecosystems are responding to a changing environment, with recordings from different locations helping researchers fill gaps in their knowledge.
FrogID Week runs from 6 to 15 November 2026.
For information and links to download the free app, visit frogid.net.au/participate/frogid-week.
Sources are the Australian Museum’s FrogID Week information and its report on this year’s priority species. www.frogid.net.au
