Data to be collected on nature in Mitcham

  • 2024-10-25
Residents in and around Mitcham who are attuned to the natural environment might want to join the quarterly survey that monitors frogs in the Yarran Dheran Nature Reserve.

Yarran Dheran is a bushland reserve, located in the Mullum Mullum Creek area. It was developed from the 1970s onwards, and provides habitats for a variety of wildlife, some of which is unique to the area. Many environmental activities take place here, led jointly by the community, the Whitehorse Historical Society and the Yarran Dheran Advisory Committee.

The frog census in October is a citizen science project and is part of Melbourne Water’s Frog Census. There will be a brief presentation, followed by a walk to the ponds.

There is an associated app that attendees can use to try and identify the calls of the seven species of frog that live in the reserve. Sightings can then be logged to keep the Frog Census up to date. Using this data, conservationists can see how frog populations have altered in response to changing biodiversity and the deadly chytrid fungus.

Information regarding the frog population and their habitat will most likely be distributed amongst volunteers as the result of local printing services.

The Quarterly Frog Survey in Yarran Dheran will be taking place on Sunday, 27 October, from 8 pm until 9.30 pm. Spaces are free, but it is necessary to reserve a spot. The meet up location is 1A Ashburton Drive, Yarran Dheran Nature Reserve in Mitcham.