A winter caller from our coastal wetlands
NSW Conservation Status: Vulnerable
Commonwealth Conservation Status: Not listed
You might not see it, but you’ve likely heard it. That soft, high-pitched “tching… tching…” echoing across damp swamplands after rain? That’s the Wallum Froglet – a tiny, ground-dwelling amphibian whose voice rings out most often in the cooler months. And right now, they’re active in the coastal wetlands that many Port Macquarie-Hastings residents live near or pass by daily.
In our region, Wallum Froglets are most likely to be found within 10 kilometres of the coast. Coastal wetland areas around Lake Cathie, Bonny Hills, and Limeburners Creek Nature Reserve are particularly promising places to listen for their calls. Residents near these areas may already be hearing them without even realising. Head to the Frog ID webpage to see if you recognise the call!
What do they look like?
Wallum Froglets are very small, only up to 22 mm long, and can vary greatly in colour. Their upper body ranges from grey to brown or russet, sometimes with stripes or mottled patterns. The underside is pale with dark flecking, and a narrow white line runs down the throat. They have no webbing on their toes, no toe pads, and horizontal pupils.
Habitat and Diet
Wallum Froglets are found in a wide range of habitats, most commonly in acidic wetlands within Melaleuca swamps and woodland areas in coastal sand plains. They lay their eggs in on twigs and leaves in shallow, acidic waters.
Adult Wallum Froglets feed primarily on small invertebrates like insects, spiders and mites. Their tadpoles eat sediment and algae.
Under Threat
Wallum Froglets are vulnerable due to their dependence on a narrow range of habitats and specific breeding conditions. Urbanisation, land clearing, changes to water flow, and diseases like chytrid fungus pose serious threats. As a result, their populations are now patchy and declining.
What can you do?
Listen, don’t touch: Frogs are protected, and their habitats are fragile. Enjoy their calls, but avoid disturbing swamp areas.
Support wetland conservation: Avoid using herbicides or dumping green waste near wet areas, and maintain natural vegetation buffers around waterways if you live near wallum habitat. Report any suspected illegal clearing to Council or the NSW Environment Line (131 555). You can also consider joining a local bushcare or Landcare group that works in and around coastal swamplands.
Use FrogID: Record frog calls with FrogID. This app is tailored for frog conservation — your audio submissions are verified by experts and used in national monitoring efforts.
Log sightings on iNaturalist: If you spot a Wallum Froglet or want to track other wetland species, upload a photo or to iNaturalist. It’s ideal for visual records and broader monitoring.
