5th Winter Survey

Superb Lyrebird survey at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve

22nd June 2008

The fifth annual survey of the Superb Lyrebird was again run under perfect conditions. Eighteen COG members met at the gates of the Reserve at 8.30am and were soon dispatched to the five main walking trails; Gibraltar Rocks, Devil’s Gap, Fishing Gap, Ashbrook Creek and Camel Back trails.

There were 19 individual Superb Lyrebirds reported which compares with the 6, 14, 12 and 12 reported in the four previous surveys. Of these, thirteen were reported from the Camel Back Trail with either 2 or 1 reported from the remaining four trails. It is interesting to note that from the 16 vegetation communities mapped for the Reserve the only trail that covers the E. fastigata and E. dalrympleana communities is the Camel Back Trail

During the survey 35 bird species were reported with the highest number (25) from the Gibraltar Rocks Trail. Interesting observations included Satin Bowerbird, Pilotbird, Crescent Honeyeater, New Holland Honeyeater, Eastern Yellow Robin, Grey Butcherbird and the very vocal White-eared Honeyeater.

Many thanks to the participants and to the staff at Tidbinbilla for once again allowing us early access into the Reserve.

Participants:

Margaret Strong
John Cummings
David McDonald
Paul Kirkbridge
Silvana Tridico
Martin Butterfield
Jennifer Engle
Paula Banks
Tina and John Bromhead
Muriel Edwards
John Brennan
Barbara Allan
Chris Davey
Peter Fullagar
Con Boekel