Canberrans are being urged to record frog calls in their backyards and neighbourhoods to help scientists track threatened species during FrogID Week, from November 6 to 15.

The Australian Museum is particularly seeking ACT recordings of the Green and Golden Bell Frog and Southern Bell Frog, two of 20 priority species identified for this year’s campaign.

New museum research examining almost 500,000 frog records in NSW found 86 per cent came from private land, with 20 of the 24 threatened species studied recorded on privately owned properties.

Australian Museum lead scientist Dr Jodi Rowley says even recordings of common frogs help researchers understand changes in populations over time.

With one in five Australian frog species threatened with extinction, scientists hope to expand FrogID’s recording coverage beyond the current 44 per cent of Australia.

Canberrans can participate by downloading the free FrogID app and recording calls wherever they hear frogs. Recordings are reviewed by museum experts.

More information at frogid.net.au.