Mid Mountains Local NewsStrengthening community, healing Country, and restoring the health of our planet.
Photographing Littlejohni, the Rare Northern Heath Frog, in Woodford
Litoria littlejohni, photographed in Woodford (Photo: Andy Klotz)
When the Frogs of the Blue Mountains exhibition opened at the Planetary Health Centre in March it featured photos of 20 different local frogs. We were thrilled, however, when Andy Klotz and other members of the Hawkesbury Herpetological Society recently managed to photograph another frog in Woodford: the rarely seen and endangered Litoria littlejohni, also known as the Northern Heath Frog or Orange-bellied Tree Frog. We’ve added a photo of that frog to the exhibition and created a new Frogs of the Blue Mountains video in which you can listen to its call here.
Key Points:
There have been dotted sightings of the endangered Litoria littlejohni (the Northern Heath Frog) from Woodford to Lithgow.
Frogs are under threat because of the Chytrid fungus, habitat loss, bushfire and predators.
We can all help grow connected landscapes for frogs by introducing water bodies for frogs into our yards.
We interviewed Andy to learn more about the Littlejohni and how they managed to find its small local population.
Peering into a damp sphagnum moss bog might not be everyone’s idea of a good time, but for 10-year-old Andy Klotz it proved to be a catalyst for a life-long passion.
In that Kosciuszko moss, decades ago, the young boy managed to locate an endangered Corroboree frog: a frog that most people struggle to find.
Andy photographing a Peron’s tree frog in the Planetary Health Centre pond
Photographing Littlejohni in Woodford
His quest for the small and hidden things – including snakes and spiders – has continued throughout Andy’s life. Having ponds around his house and having grown and sold water-plants for years, has meant that frogs have been frequent visitors in his life, allowing him to continue his observations. Joining the Hawkesbury Herpetological Society has connected him with a team of like-minded enthusiasts.
It was while night-spotting in Woodford recently, that they found a small population of the rare, endangered frog: Litoria littlejohni, otherwise known as the Northern Heath Frog. Littlejohni is a quiet frog, but playing the FrogID app induces it to call.
View our video of the Northern Heath Frog and the 20 Other Frogs of the Blue Mountains here:
According to Andy there have been dotted sightings of Littlejohni from Woodford to Lithgow. From the Herpetological Society’s observations, they appear to particularly favor still water bodies with Gahnia Sieberiana growing along the banks. “You’ll find one frog per Gahnia plant,” said Andy. The frogs will “perch on the arching leaves over the water and call, and the moment you come near they’ll scuttle back down into the thatch at the bottom, which they’re the same color as.”
Gahnia, known as red-fruit saw-edge, is a tall native plant. It is also the habitat and food source for the Swordgrass Brown butterfly. The butterfly’s green larvae dangle from the leaves and appear to serve as a food source for the frogs, pointing to a complex, inter-connected micro-ecosystem.
The Society is aiming to plant more Gahnia plants around water bodies to test whether their presence will increase Littlejohni numbers.
Gahnia Sieberiana
Why Littlejohni is endangered
When asked why he believes the frog is endangered Andy described several reasons.
He said that since the 70’s many have been killed by the Chytrid fungus which is a worldwide threat to frogs. Littlejohni and the Golden Bell Frog are particularly prone to being killed by it. Some species, like the Striped Marsh Frog, are immune to it, but they do carry and spread the disease.
“It’s really good practice, when you’re going out on these trips, to spray your shoes and hands with a mixture of 70% methylated spirits and 30% water,” says Andy. This kills the Chytrid fungus and most bacteria that can harm frogs and other species.
Increasing urban development and habitat loss are another threat. With habitats no longer connected, isolated populations are being forced to inbreed. Fires and predators also reduce their populations.
Litoria Littlejohni or Northern Heath Frog (Photo: Andy Klotz)
Re-connecting landscapes for frogs
“There are some good programs going on,” enthuses Andy, telling of a Sydney program in which artificial ponds were built, and then loudspeakers, playing the frog calls, lured the frogs over a distance of three kilometres. Residents reported the frogs moving through their backyard ponds to reach the artificially created breeding ground that was created. It included netting to deter storks, and salt in the water to prevent Chytrid fungus.
“Frogs are amazing. They travel and they’re adaptable,” said Andy.
Andy encourages everybody to consider creating habitat to help reconnect landscapes for frogs. Attracting them to your yard provides the bonus of them reducing the number of mosquitos and pest insects in your garden.
Finding frogs
“The best times to frog hunt are in the dark and when there is water about,” Andy says. Frogs can be found all year round in different locations and the best times are after, or during rain, particularly if followed by a warm night.
They can be found in a variety of habitats: from damp leaf litter, to shallow ditches, to two metres up a tree. Andy and the Society use a variety of techniques including sprinkling water to simulate rain and playing the frog’s call via the Frog ID app to lure them out.
“If you have a couple of you, you can hear from a few metres away from each other, point in the direction of where you hear the frog, and then you walk to where the frog is and shine your light beam and you go – that’s where it is!”
Take Action:
See the Frogs of the Blue Mountains exhibition and view the frog ponds at the Planetary Health Centre
Help grow connected landscapes for frogs by providing small water containers or building a pond in your own backyard that’s protected from cats and dogs. Find out how here: https://bmpluriversity.org/ponds/
Emily from @handsheartfeet will be leading a free drumming workshop at the Planetary Health Centre Expo and Family Day in Katoomba on Sat 22 Nov. It`s suitable for all ages and so much fun! Places are limited so reserve your spot here: https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J (link in profile)
The Planetary Health newsletter is now out! Read it here: https://bit.ly/4o1FflK (link in profile)
It includes: • Expo and Family Day on Nov 22 • A Story of Purpose & Mental Health with Rotarian Peter Joseph AM from the Black Dog Institute on Nov 29 • How to Use a Sewing Machine Workshop on Nov 29 • Qigong, Upper Mountains Seed Saving & Gardening Group and Planetary Health Bushcare on Dec 6 • Legalising human composting as a sustainable death care option in NSW • The Climate Risk and Adaptation Plan for the Blue Mountains
We are so excited to be launching revolutionary new fire protection coatings that can stop your home burning down and slow the spread of fire. Learn more and pick up a sample pot at the Planetary Health Expo on Sat 22 Nov at 10am. FIRECOAT interior and exterior undercoat has been developed by scientists at UNSW and is already available for this fire season but new products will also be shared at the Expo, including a flexible fire-protective covering designed for temporary use on windows, doors, poles, fences, vehicles, equipment and other small assets. There is even a product that can create a fire-protective barrier around your home and these assets. FIRECOAT is waterproof, non toxic and game changing. Register here to attend the launch (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J and PLEASE SHARE. This breakthrough technology can help make our communities safer.
We’re thrilled that engineer Mark Liebman, who built a green roof in Blackheath, will be giving a free talk at the Planetary Health Centre Expo in Katoomba on Sat 22 November. Green roofs cool buildings, reduce stormwater runoff and increase biodiversity. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions and get tips on how to do it yourself. You can register to attend here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J
Are there native bees and insects in your garden? Today is the first day of Australian Pollinator Week and native bee ecologist and musician @amelie_ecology has just released a new single with Costa Georgiadis @costasworld called ‘Not all Pests’. We’re thrilled that Amelie will be performing her songs and running a free interactive workshop on what we can do to support our native pollinators at the Planetary Health Expo and Family Day on Saturday 22nd November. You can register to attend here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J
and you can stream ’Not all Pests’ here (link in profile): https://amelieecology.bandcamp.com/track/not-all-pests
There are so many ways to have a greener healthier Christmas! Ever thought of giving a voucher for Tai Chi and Qigong classes? You can try out one of our Qigong classes at the Planetary Health Centre this Saturday at 9am. Tutor Virginia Field is currently introducing Qigong`s 5-Animals Play, an ancient practice which developed from observing animals and mimicking their behaviour. Reserve a spot here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/3JlOAXh Find other ideas for a greener Christmas on Council`s website here: www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/greenchristmas
Or come along to our Expo and Family Day on 22 November and try out some other great options like drumming classes, sewing and fashion upcycling! Register to attend here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/disaster-risk-awareness-expo-or-full-cycle-2025
We’ve had some great news! Santa is coming to the free Community BBQ at the Planetary Health Centre Expo in Katoomba on Saturday 22 November. He’s arriving early to help us celebrate Christmas in a way that’s safer and healthier for us and the planet, and he’s let us know that he’ll be giving everyone who comes a free fire-retardant plant for their garden. We’re so thrilled we’re putting on fun family events for the day: from a fabulous free drumming workshop with Emily from Hands, Heart and Feet, to live music and a pollinator hunt with Amelie Ecology, and workshops to create plastic-free Christmas presents. There’ll also be an opportunity to meet the RFS, NSW Fire & Rescue, Red Cross and other emergency services. Come and learn ways to keep the family safe while also having fun, enjoying a coffee, sampling some plant-based sweets and a free BBQ lunch, and taking home lots of useful information about hazardous materials and preparing for extreme weather events! Register here to attend (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/disaster-risk-awareness-expo-or-full-cycle-2025?
Do you feel overwhelmed about preparing your home for bushfire? Come along to the free Bushfire Retrofit Toolkit Workshop at the Disaster Risk Awareness Expo (and pre-Christmas Family Day) at the Planetary Health Centre in Katoomba on Saturday 22 Nov. Meet the team who developed the Toolkit and learn to use it in a free, 2-hour interactive workshop. You will have the opportunity to work on case study properties in small groups and ask the team questions about your own property. Free afternoon tea provided. Bookings essential here (Disaster Risk Awareness Expo link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/disaster-risk-awareness-expo-or-full-cycle-2025/tickets #beprepared #bushfire #retrofit #disasterriskawareness #planetaryhealth #katoomba #bluemountains #bushfireretrofittoolkit...
When we pulled up some old lino we were shocked to learn at the Katoomba Resource Recovery and Waste Management Facility that it was made of asbestos. There are so many parts of old homes in the Blue Mountains that contain asbestos, so, to help keep everyone safe, we`ve invited Betty the Asbestos Education House to the Planetary Health Centre on Saturday 22nd November as part of our Disaster Risk Awareness Expo and pre-Christmas Family Day. Betty is a purpose built, mobile model home designed to demonstrate where asbestos might be found in and around any Australian home built or renovated before 1990. Her exterior resembles a typical fibro home but when opened up, she has extensive audio and visual information including a bathroom, kitchen, living room, man shed/garage and a dog house. You can learn more and register to attend this free event here (link in profile): www.fullcycleconference.com.au
Yesterday we launched the Upper Mountains Seed Saving and Gardening Group at the Planetary Health Centre. It`s the perfect time to get planting so we shared locally acclimatised seeds for a variety of beans (they don`t cross-pollinate so you can plant as many varieties as you can fit in!), round yellow zucchinis, Japanese pumpkins and Roi de Carouby peas. Seeds are arguably one of the best return on investments you can make in your life. Plant one tiny celery seed and when that plant goes to seed you can harvest thousands to replant and to sprout and add to your salads. We`ll be meeting on the first Saturday of every month as part of Skill Share Saturdays at the Planetary Health Centre. Our next meeting will be Saturday 6 Dec. Register here if you`d like to attend (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/copy-of-upper-mountains-seed-saving-and-gardening-group?
The KTOWN pickers - Katoombans Taking On Waste Now - are clearing litter from local tracks and streets and stopping it from entering our waterways and eventually our water supply. Read more in Katoomba Area Local News (link in profile): https://www.katoombalocalnews.com/ktown-katoombans-taking-on-waste-now/
This Saturday will be the first meeting of the Upper Mountains Seed Saving and Gardening Group at the Planetary Health Centre, starting at 10am. Register your interest here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/3LalNFy
It will be followed by the Planetary Health Bushcare group at 1.30pm. Register your interest here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/49k8PPo
Our native wildlife is in crisis. With dwindling tree hollows, which are essential homes for countless species, the Blue Mountains' unique ecosystem is under threat. Discover how you can make a real difference. Learn about practical solutions, community initiatives, and the upcoming event dedicated to restoring vital habitats.
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