The second, annual survey of the Superb Lyrebird at the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve was run under perfect conditions on Saturday 25 June. Seventeen COG members and friends met at the gates by 8.00am and were dispatched to assess the number of lyrebirds that could be seen or heard along the Gibraltar Rocks, Devils Gap and Fishing Gap walking trails, along the Ashbrook Creek fire trail and part-way along the Camel Back trail. The areas covered were the same as last year when 7 birds were reported, all from the drier, eastern side of the valley. In contrast this year there were 13 birds reported, most of which were recorded from the wetter southern and western side of the valley. A repeat survey was conducted on 6 July. This time the Gibraltar Rocks trail was not repeated. Nine birds were reported and this number was similar to the 11 birds reported from the same trails 12 days earlier. Twenty-six bird species were recorded during the surveys including independent sightings of Brown Quail.
On 13 June after much physical effort David McDonald and Chris Davey were able to relocate the Lyrebird walking trail. This trail has not been reopened since the January 2003 fires but had previously been a favourite walk for David’s popular lyrebird outings. Before the fire lyrebirds and their mounds were commonly seen but on this occasion there was no sign of either.
Many thanks to the participants and to the staff at Tidbinbilla for opening the gates early and for giving CD a push to start a car with a flat battery!
Chris Davey & Peter Fullagar