Who's been doing their washing in our dam

For the past week I've been enjoying an evening serenade like no other. The sound is like a banjo being played under water. A dull 'bonk' sound repeated every few seconds by quite a few performers, each repeating the same unique note.

Because they want to stand out from the crowd, each performer has a slightly different note. If you didn't know the musicians were male Pobblebonk/Banjo Frogs, you'd think it was a crazy banjo player with no sense of rhythm. Surprisingly, the overall sound is sensational.

The male Pobblebonk frogs are spruiking their personal virtues to the ladies in the pond.  And their stamina is to be envied because they can keep the chorus going all night. The end result of all night recital is the mysterious washing suds like blobs floating on the water. 

​Next year the serenade is likely to have a thousand voices and I'll be struggling to find an adjective to do it justice.

The spawn of the Pobblebonk frog, Limnodynastes dumerili. Spring is here

Pobblebonk frog, Limnodynastes dumerili Image from Museum Victoria's website.

For a complete guide to frogs of Victoria this is a great website - frogs.org.au/frogs/of/Victoria/​