Move over Taylor Swift, there’s a new ‘hop’ star in town. 

Frogs’ music (their calls) will ring out across the stage (ponds and wetlands all around South Australia) and we’re calling on citizen scientists (you) to get out there and capture them as part of FrogWatch SA’s summer census. 

From 1 to 8 December, get out in nature around SA armed with your smartphone and record these often heard but rarely seen amphibians.

The good news is that FrogWatch’s team of experts can tell the kind of frog it is just from its call, so this is not a pics or it didn’t happen situation!

There are several frogs you could have the hopes of hearing this summer but one good one to keep your ear on the ground for is the spotted marsh frog, namely because you can find it across almost all the state.

The spotted marsh frog is well… spotted, with dark regular-shaped olive-green patches and a cream or yellow stripe down the middle of the back in some individuals.  It’s on the medium end of the frog spectrum at about 5 cm long.

This species is often confused with the long-thumbed frog, which shares lots of similarities with its spotted marsh friend. They are not as widespread in South Australia, but whatever frog it is we still want to hear about it!

Uploading frog calls 

Uploading frog calls is as simple as the click of a button. Okay. Maybe a couple of clicks of a button.

Your best bet is to download the FrogSpotter app, create an account, pick a location, record the frog call and then if you’re really advanced… tell us what frog you think it is! Don’t worry if you don’t know, though, because FrogWatch’s frog nerds will!

For a more detailed guide on how to use the FrogSpotter app check out this helpful video.

You can also upload calls directly to the FrogWatch SA website. 

Missed the census dates? No problem, FrogWatch accepts recordings all year round!