Australia has more than 240 known frog species, of which 20% are classed as threatened, says the Australian Museum. That percentage could actually be higher but more information is needed to get a truer picture. It’s why the museum set up its hugely successful FrogID program in 2017, and it was to FrogID that Marita Macrae sent her recording of a frog she heard while walking in the bush near Lovett Bay. “They want all the information people can give them,” says Marita of the program, which last month held its popular annual FrogID Week (it received more than 20,000 calls).
She suspected she had heard the small Red-crowned Toadlet and FrogID confirmed it. It was good news: according to the NSW Office of Environment & Heritage, its conservation status is Vulnerable.
The Red-crowned Toadlet is a little thing, usually less than 3cm in length, with reddish-oranges patches that give it its name. Its markings make it unmistakable – if it can be spotted, which is unlikely given its size and distribution. “You need to be lucky to see them,” says Marita. The Red-crowned Toadlet lives in a restricted area, mostly on Hawkesbury and Narrabeen sandstones. It is identified by its “short, grating and ‘squelchy’ call”.
Conversation with Marita about the Red-crowned Toadlet naturally led to mention of Pittwater National Heritage Association, a group she founded nearly three decades ago. The formation was spurred by a State Government development proposal for a rare woodland area in Mona Vale. “We realised there was no group looking after the natural environment,” says Marita.
Part of the area was subsequently “thoroughly developed” but some “survived in rather depleted form”. Since that time PNHA has been a strong voice for the local environment. “We are focused on raising awareness and interacting with the council, opposing what they are doing or encouraging them to do better, or supporting their grant applications that need community support. That’s very valuable for them,” says Marita.
PNHA has about 100 members but would always welcome more, particularly those who are prepared to speak out on important matters relating to protection of the environment. “People with loud voices like sporting clubs and people who want concrete footpaths – they’re listened to, but a lot of people who are interested in the bushland are quite quiet, gentle people who don’t speak out enough. We need people with more of a voice.”