after the bushfires

How to support lyrebirdsThe catastrophic bushfires of 2019/2020 damaged large areas of habitat for native birds, forcing many to move into new areas in search of food and shelter. BirdLife Australia estimates that over 40% of the Superb Lyrebird’s range was impacted by these bushfires. As a result, these normally solitary birds have been observed in close proximity to each other and in locations where they were not usually seen. Unburnt gardens in towns on the urban fringe of bushland may now represent important refuges for birds to forage, nest and hide from predators. These will remain important areas for birds over the next few years as their populations recover from the bushfires.Here are some practical measures you can take to support lyrebirds and other local birds which live on and around your property.

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• Keep pets indoors or in enclosed outdoor areas (e.g. a cat run or a securely-fenced area for dogs). As well as keeping birds safe, this has been shown to keep pets safe; studies suggest indoor cats are healthier and live longer than outdoor cats.

• Walk pets on a lead.

• Avoid feeding predatory birds such as currawongs or butcherbirds. These birds are fierce nest predators and feeding will encourage them to spend time in unburnt refuges where they will prey on the eggs and chicks of other birds.

• If you see a fox, report the sighting to your local council.

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Protect birds from predators

Photos: Alex Maisey

Provide water in a safe locationAUSTRALIA

• Shallow containers for water are ideal. Weigh containers down (e.g. with rocks or heavy sticks) to keep them from tipping over and to allow animals that fall in to climb out.

• Place water containers in the shade, at different elevations and next to vegetation which can provide cover if birds need to escape quickly.

• Replace the water once a week to keep it clean and prevent mosquitos. Replace the water more frequently if the weather is warm.

• Consider installing a shallow pond (if less than 30 cm deep this does not need to be fenced in Australia) as lyrebirds like to wash their feathers every day. Place partially-submerged rocks and logs in the pond to help birds and other wildlife to use it safely.

• See the guide Providing water for birds for more tips.

Protect bird habitat• Keep away from nests or display mounds so lyrebirds do not abandon

them.• If your neighbourhood or property was burned by the fires, spread

native, weed-free mulch over recovering areas to help replenish food sources (invertebrates) for lyrebirds.

• Protect vegetation in unburnt gullies from being browsed on by feral herbivores (e.g. deer) using ‘wildlife-friendly fencing’.

• Leave fallen logs and branches on the ground.• Protect large trees, especially if they have hollows (unless they are a

safety hazard). Did you know Lyrebirds nest off the ground in trees and rock ledges?

Plant local natives• Plant local native plants, as local birds use these for food and

shelter.• Plant a variety of local natives which flower at different times of

the year to provide nectar feeding birds and insects with year-round food.

• Plant large native shrubs and grasses in clusters to provide birds with food and shelter.

• See this web page for details on how to make your garden a safe haven for birds.

• Attract birds whilst reducing the risks of bushfire on your property by creating an Asset Protection Zone.

• See the factsheet Creating bird-friendly gardens in bush fire prone areas for more information on creating an Asset Protection Zone.

Record sightings of lyrebirds and other native birds on the Birdata app or website. A guide on how to use Birdata can be found on our YouTube channel. This data can be used to monitor where birds go and how they have moved since the bushfires.

Record bird sightings