In September and October the Perth Zoo run The Great Australian Marsupial Night Stalk and friends of my Gwelup combined their spring night walk with this event.  Unfortunately were unable to locate any marsupials, which may still live in the bushland. Still however, the group of 14 discovered many nocturnal denizens about the lake and bushland.

Perhaps some local residents have seen or have had possums visiting their house recently? Please e-mail us if you have!

There were however a great abundance of frogs, spiders and insects about. for the record, we saw more individual frogs, and I have seen on previous night walks. the results will be forwarded to the Perth zoo.

In our first few steps away from the car park we saw a moaning frog, later more moaning frogs and many litoria moorei. Moaning frogs are a borrowing frog about 60 in length from head to tail and can be quite difficult to see the due to their camouflaged skin. Most of  their life is spent on dry land and they even lay their eggs in a borrow close to the water's edge, when the water rises, the tiny tadpoles swept out to borrow and into the main body of water.

Litoria moorei, also known as the Motorbike Frog or Western Green Tree Frog can be found 2 km from the water in gardens that are kept moist and have suitable foliage to cover. Sensitive to pesticides and fertilisers, frogs, absorb available moisture through their skin to rehydrate. This is why it is very important people live close to wetlands not to use chemicals where storm water running off your property may into the lake or frogs may come in direct contact with these products in your garden.  All storm water within several kilometers of Lake Gwelup flow into this important wetland.

Boiling water is very good for killing weeds on driveways and paths, natural fertilisers are best for the garden and your lawn and please add it sparingly as much of it just goes to waste.

litoria moorei on paper bark branches

litoria adelaidensis