Morning and night, Darren Lonergan walks past a little frog pond in Gungahlin and appreciates their peaceful chorus.
But he is worried their twilight refrain might be silenced after workers moved to pump the wetland "dry" on Saturday.
![Canberra frog whisperer, Anke Maria Hoefer at a Gungahlin pond that was being pumped on Saturday.](/web/20161023045749im_/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/5/k/3/j/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gs47oj.png/1476860041798.jpg)
The pond sits adjacent to the Capital Metro site office on Flemington Road and Mr Lonergan said he was told the pond would be pumped and filled in due to safety concerns.
While he doesn't consider himself much of a greenie, Mr Lonergan said he was "outraged" by it.
![Darren Lonergan is concerned that his local wetland is being pumped dry.](/web/20161023045749im_/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/4/n/m/v/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gs47oj.png/1476860041798.jpg)
"Especially in a place like Gungahlin it's a pleasant surprise when you find something like that next to the shops. That little pond is full of life," he said.
He contacted Canberra frog whisperer, Anke Maria Hoefer, who identified four species of frogs that live in the area; the common eastern froglet, the eastern sign-bearing froglet, the striped marsh frog and the spotted grass frog.
She said while these species are quite common, many species that were common in Canberra 30 years ago have been wiped out due to loss of habitat and disease.
She said this was an important habitat for amphibians and birds in Gungahlin's "concrete jungle"
"It's the worst time of year too because it's frog and bird breeding season. It's pretty sad," she said.
But a Transport Canberra and City Services Directorate spokesman said "the depression in question does not contain any significant ecological values".
"In 2004, the depression supported no aquatic habitat, but started ponding water post local road works [and] has over time developed a low diversity frog population," he said.
"The depression/pond is not being removed or filled in by Canberra Metro, however it is being progressively dewatered to limit it overflowing into downstream works areas. The water flowing downstream has capacity to cause erosion and sediment control issues for local waterways when passing through downstream worksites, and may increase risk for workers undertaking trenching activities."
The spokesman said the "partial dewatering" had been performed with a sump protection bucket to avoid any impacts on frogs in the water and remained a viable habitat for frogs and birds. The spokesman did not say how long it would remain a viable habitat for.
"It's important to note that all work being undertaken as part of the Stage 1 Light Rail Project is being conducted with a strong focus on effective environmental management," the spokesman said.
While the pond might not have any "ecological value" per say, it appears to be valued by the locals who enjoy its nighttime song.