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Albert's Lyrebird (Menura alberti)

Albert's lyrebird is a shy, mostly ground-dwelling rainforest and wet forest bird restricted to south-eastern Queensland and north-eastern New South Wales. It forages in moist leaf litter and among fallen logs, so clearing, fragmentation, intensive forest management, fire, weeds and disturbance near wet forest remnants can affect habitat on development sites.

Conservation status

New South Wales, Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016: Vulnerable.

Breeding season

Albert's lyrebird is sedentary and occurs in its range throughout the year. Winter is the main period for detecting breeding males, while clutches have been recorded from late May to mid-August.

Month values are January to December: 0 means not typical, 1 means occurs, and 2 means peak. The young and clearing-risk periods extend beyond the documented laying period because females provide care for several months, but exact fledging dates are not stated.

  • Breeding and display: Breeding occurs over winter. Males are most vocal and territorial during this period, with peak detectability generally from June to August.
  • Laying and incubation: Clutches have been recorded from late May to mid-August. The clutch contains one egg. The supplied documents do not give the incubation duration.
  • Young dependent: Females provide all parental care and raise the young for several months. The exact fledging and dependency dates are not provided, so the extended period shown covers likely care following the recorded laying period.
  • Movement and dispersal: The species is sedentary and remains in the same general area year round. Outside the breeding season, birds may disperse more widely within small groups and are harder to detect.
  • Highest clearing risk: Clearing and intense disturbance are most likely to harm the species from late May through winter and into the period when females are caring for young. Risk is highest during June to August because breeding, laying and male territorial activity overlap.

Identification

Albert's lyrebird is large, shy and usually detected by sound rather than by sight. It is most likely to be encountered on the forest floor or detected by passive acoustic recording and remote cameras.

Adults have rich chestnut-brown plumage, a rufous undertail, rump and throat, and a long tail. Males have ribbon-like plumes, filamentary feathers and broad lyrate feathers. Females have a shorter, simpler and more pointed-looking tail.

The male's bill is black, the iris is dark brown or black, and the eye is surrounded by a blue-grey ring. Legs and feet range from brownish grey to dark grey or black.

Male length: About 90 cm

Female length: About 75 cm

Weight: About 930 g

Wingspan: About 76 to 79 cm

Identification: Similar species and sex

The main field confusion species is the more common and widespread superb lyrebird, Menura novaehollandiae. Albert's lyrebird has richer brown plumage and, in males, less elaborate lyrate tail feathers. Its restricted range is also a useful identification clue.

Males and females differ strongly in tail structure. Juveniles resemble females but have richer rufous-brown colouring on the chin, throat and foreneck, with narrower and more tapered tail feathers.

Identification: Field signs and survey detection

The species is difficult to approach and is much more often heard than seen. Males produce loud, penetrating territorial and display calls, including mimicry of local birds and other sounds. Calls may include imitations of green catbirds, satin bowerbirds, whipbirds and rosellas.

Males are most detectable during the winter breeding season. Outside that period, birds are less vocal and may disperse more widely within small groups. Passive acoustic recorders, call playback used in accordance with survey protocols, and motion-sensitive cameras are useful methods in dense forest.

Ground foraging can leave disturbed leaf litter around fallen logs and other moist forest-floor features, but the supplied documents do not describe a diagnostic track, scat or scratch pattern. Do not rely on tracks or scats alone for identification.

  • Record the direction, timing and repeated location of loud calls, particularly during winter.
  • Inspect moist leaf litter, fallen logs, gullies and dense wet understorey for feeding activity and camera placement.
  • Treat a suspected record as requiring confirmation by call, photograph, video or an experienced observer.

Distribution: States and bioregions

Albert's lyrebird has a very small distribution centred on the Queensland and New South Wales border ranges. The species is sedentary and occurs in several separated areas, including an isolated population in the Blackwall Range.

In Queensland, the species occurs in south-eastern Queensland, including the Scenic Rim, Burringbar-Conondale Ranges, Woodenbong and parts of the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast lowlands. In New South Wales, it occurs mainly in the McPherson and Tweed Ranges, extending west to the Acacia Plateau in the Border Ranges and south through the Koonyum and Nightcap Ranges.

The NSW profile also identifies the Clarence Lowlands, restricted north of Evans Head, as known habitat. The species reaches the Blackwall Range between Alstonville and Bagotville, where it forms an isolated population.

National range: Far south-eastern Queensland and north-eastern New South Wales

Queensland areas: Main Range, McPherson Ranges, Mount Tamborine, Border Ranges, Springbrook, Mount Barney and Lamington areas

New South Wales areas: McPherson and Tweed Ranges, Acacia Plateau, Koonyum and Nightcap Ranges, Clarence Lowlands and Blackwall Range

Distribution: Strongholds and subpopulations

The south-eastern Queensland habitat mapping identified three distinct areas: the high-altitude rainforests of the Main Range, the McPherson Ranges and Mount Tamborine. Survey records also came from Main Range National Park and Goomburra State Forest.

Known NSW sites include Border Ranges National Park, Mount Jerusalem National Park, Richmond Range National Park, Toonumbar National Park, Whian Whian State Conservation Area and Wollumbin National Park.

The Blackwall Range population is isolated and may contain as few as 10 or fewer birds. Other isolated populations may contain about 10 to 20 individuals.

Distribution: Population and trend

The NSW government estimates that fewer than 800 pairs remain in NSW. The supplied documents do not provide a national population estimate or a quantified rate of decline.

The species declined after widespread clearing and burning of coastal subtropical rainforest during the nineteenth century. Continued habitat loss, fragmentation and isolation remain ongoing concerns.

NSW estimate: Fewer than 800 pairs

Isolated Blackwall Range population: Possibly 10 or fewer birds

CRA survey result: Eight sites in two survey areas, including Main Range National Park and Goomburra State Forest

Habitat: Forest types

Albert's lyrebird uses the wettest available forest habitats, particularly rainforest and wet sclerophyll forest with a moist understorey. Habitat quality depends on the forest floor as well as the canopy.

The main habitat is upland wet sclerophyll forest and subtropical rainforest. The species also occurs in wet sclerophyll forest with a wet understorey of rainforest plants and in mixed eucalypt forest with a mesic understorey.

Higher densities occur where eucalypts form part of the canopy than in rainforest without eucalypts under otherwise similar climatic conditions. Dry sclerophyll forest is not used for foraging.

Habitat: Key structure

Suitable sites have deep, moist leaf litter, fallen logs, a wet understorey and relatively intact forest structure. The understorey may contain rainforest vines, shrubs and other mesic plants.

In optimum habitat, birds forage up to major ridges. In mid-quality habitat, they tend to forage on lower slopes and in gullies. This makes gullies, lower slopes, ridge connections and moist forest-floor remnants important when assessing a clearing footprint.

  • Map all wet rainforest and wet sclerophyll remnants, including narrow connections between larger patches.
  • Record leaf-litter depth, fallen logs, understorey condition, canopy eucalypts, weeds and evidence of grazing.
  • Treat intact gullies and lower slopes as potential habitat even where no bird is detected during a daytime inspection.

Habitat: Climate and elevation

The species is associated with humid subtropical and upland forest in the mountain ranges of south-eastern Queensland and north-eastern New South Wales. The supplied documents describe high-altitude rainforest in the Main Range, McPherson Ranges and Mount Tamborine, but do not provide a national elevation limit.

Foraging habitat: Diet

Albert's lyrebird feeds on the ground in moist forest-floor habitats. Retaining leaf litter, logs and a shaded, moist understorey is therefore important during clearing and construction works.

The diet consists mainly of soil and leaf-litter invertebrates, especially insects and their larvae. The NSW profile notes that earthworms have not been observed in the diet, despite the species feeding in soil and litter.

Main food: Insects, insect larvae and other soil and leaf-litter invertebrates

Earthworms: Not observed as food in the supplied NSW profile

Foraging habitat: Foraging sites and method

Birds rake and probe moist leaf litter and soil around fallen logs and other forest-floor features. They forage in wet rainforest, wet sclerophyll forest and mixed eucalypt forest with a mesic understorey.

Foraging extends to major ridges in optimum habitat, while birds in mid-quality habitat tend to remain on lower slopes and in gullies. The supplied documents do not give a measured individual foraging radius or home-range size.

  • Avoid stripping litter, removing logs or compacting soil in retained wet forest.
  • Keep machinery, stockpiles and access tracks out of moist gullies and intact forest-floor habitat where practicable.
  • Control lantana and other weeds without removing the litter and log structure used for feeding.

Breeding habitat: Breeding biology

Breeding occurs over winter. Females build the nest, incubate the single egg and raise the young without male assistance.

Males are territorial and display and sing during the winter breeding season. The mating system is not fully understood. Females provide all nest building, incubation and parental care.

Breeding season: Winter

Clutch size: One egg

Laying period: Clutches have been found from late May to mid-August

Incubation: Duration is not stated in the supplied documents

Age at maturity: Not stated in the supplied documents

Lifespan: Not stated in the supplied documents

Breeding habitat: Breeding habitat

Nest sites are in dark, sheltered parts of wet forest, including rocky ledges, rock fissures, spaces between rocks, caves on steep rock faces or cliffs, and dense thickets. Females may build a domed nest with a side entrance.

Males create courtship arenas in dense vine thickets. These may occur where the canopy has been disturbed and extra light reaches the display area. Courtship sites still require surrounding wet forest and dense understorey.

  • Inspect rocky ledges, fissures, caves, steep cliff bases and dense vine thickets before clearing.
  • Avoid noisy or high-intensity works near active display areas and suspected nest sites during winter.
  • Retain connected wet forest around breeding features rather than protecting only the immediate nest location.

Sheltering habitat: Cover and shelter

The species shelters and moves through dense wet forest, but the supplied documents do not describe a permanent den, hollow or burrow. Nesting and courtship structures are the best documented specialised sites.

Albert's lyrebirds are shy and wary and use dense rainforest and wet sclerophyll understorey. Vines, shrubs, wet litter, fallen logs, gullies and rocky features provide cover during ground movement and foraging.

Birds are usually solitary or in pairs. Outside the breeding season they may disperse more widely within small groups, but the species is generally sedentary and remains in the same general area throughout the year.

Sheltering habitat: Nests and display sites

The female's nest is dome-shaped with a side entrance. Documented locations include rocky ledges, fissures in rocks, spaces between rocks, caves on steep rock faces and cliffs. No nest dimensions are provided in the supplied documents.

Males use cleared display arenas within dense vine thickets. These arenas may be associated with canopy openings, selected thin vines and surrounding dense forest.

  • Have an ecologist inspect rocky forest features and dense vine thickets before earthworks.
  • Retain fallen logs, moist litter and dense understorey in exclusion zones around known or suspected activity areas.
  • Do not assume that absence of a visible nest means the area is unused, because birds are cryptic and nests may be concealed in rocks or dense vegetation.

Threats: Clearing and fragmentation

The main threat is loss and fragmentation of wet rainforest and wet eucalypt forest. Project effects can be direct, such as clearing and soil disturbance, or indirect, such as weed invasion, altered fire exposure and isolation of small populations.

Clearing for forestry, agriculture, residential development and infrastructure removes habitat and separates remaining forest patches. The species is particularly sensitive where wet forest remnants become isolated, including small outlying populations.

Intensive forest management can damage the canopy, understorey and ground layer. Conversion of preferred wet sclerophyll forest or rainforest to eucalypt or hoop pine plantations reduces habitat quality, and plantations may support much lower densities or no Albert's lyrebirds.

  • Avoid clearing wet rainforest, wet sclerophyll forest, gullies, lower slopes and connecting corridors.
  • Use no-go zones for intact forest-floor habitat, rocky nest features and dense vine thickets.
  • Rehabilitate and reconnect retained patches with wide corridors linking gullies and ridges where project impacts have already fragmented habitat.

Threats: Fire, weeds and grazing

Fire may threaten the species in exceptionally dry years, particularly in isolated outlying populations. Frequent or intense fire can reduce the moist understorey and leaf-litter layer used for foraging and shelter.

Lantana and other weeds invade logged or damaged habitat and reduce its suitability. Grazing stock can damage the forest floor, understorey and regeneration.

  • Protect retained wet forest from unnecessary fire and avoid introducing dry, frequently burnt edges beside habitat.
  • Fence retained habitat and large forest blocks to exclude grazing stock.
  • Control lantana and other weeds while retaining leaf litter, fallen logs and native understorey structure.

Threats: Predators and development disturbance

Red foxes, feral cats and, near settlements, domestic dogs and cats may prey on Albert's lyrebirds. Dingoes, spotted-tailed quolls and grey goshawks are also identified as possible predators, although introduced and domestic predators are considered the more relevant management concern near development.

Urban and rural development close to habitat is associated with lower lyrebird densities than expected. Roads and construction can increase access, edge effects, noise and predator activity, although the supplied documents do not quantify a road-distance threshold.

  • Keep domestic dogs and cats out of retained habitat and manage construction-site food and waste that may attract predators.
  • Limit new access tracks and avoid placing roads along the edges of small, isolated wet forest remnants where practicable.
  • Use winter acoustic surveys and remote cameras before clearing where suitable habitat is present.

Threats: Climate and hydrology

Anthropogenic climate change may further restrict the species' suitable habitat and range. The supplied documents do not identify a quantified hydrology threshold, but loss of moisture in gullies, wet understorey and leaf litter would reduce the quality of foraging and shelter habitat.

  • Maintain drainage patterns and avoid concentrating runoff, sediment or pollutants into retained gullies and wet forest.
  • Protect canopy shade, litter and understorey moisture during earthworks and construction.
  • Monitor retained habitat for drying, weed invasion and increased fire exposure after works.

Survey methodology: 1. Diurnal searches and habitat assessment

Albert’s Lyrebird is shy, mostly ground dwelling and easier to detect by its calls than by sight. Surveys should target wet rainforest and wet sclerophyll forest with deep moist litter, fallen logs and a wet understorey, and should combine direct observation with passive acoustic and camera methods.

Search retained wet rainforest and wet sclerophyll forest, including gullies, lower slopes, major ridges and areas with deep moist leaf litter and fallen logs.

Record canopy type, understorey moisture, litter depth, logs, steep rocky nesting sites, weeds, tracks, recent fire and nearby development.

Do not treat dry sclerophyll forest as suitable habitat without supporting site evidence, because the NSW profile states that the species does not forage there.

Main habitat: Wettest rainforest or wet sclerophyll forest with a wet understorey, deep moist leaf litter and fallen logs

Typical social setting: Usually solitary or in pairs

Breeding period: Winter, with clutches recorded from late May to mid-August

  • Walk quietly through suitable habitat and inspect the forest floor, gullies, logs and dense understorey for birds, tracks, feeding disturbance, feathers and calls.
  • Use trained observers who can distinguish Albert’s Lyrebird from Superb Lyrebird calls and visual features, because Albert’s Lyrebird is often heard but not seen.

Survey methodology: 2. Breeding season listening and call playback

Prioritise winter surveys when males are vocal and detectability is highest. The CRA surveys were conducted towards the end of the breeding season and detected birds at standard and incidental sites.

Use call playback only where it is permitted and justified in the survey design. Record the playback sequence, duration, volume, weather, observer position and the bird’s response.

Avoid repeated playback at the same location and do not use it close to an active display, nest or other confirmed territory.

Most useful detection period: Winter breeding season

Known CRA result: Eight birds or sites were found in two survey areas in the CRA account, with records from Main Range National Park and Goomburra State Forest

Detection limitation: Outside the breeding season, birds disperse more widely, are less vocal and are harder to detect

  • Conduct quiet listening periods at suitable forest sites during the early morning and late afternoon, when bird activity and calling can be recorded without relying on visual detection.
  • Record the direction, estimated distance and time of each call, and map independent detections separately.
  • Treat a call as a detection only when the observer can identify it with reasonable confidence, and retain the recording where possible.

Survey methodology: 3. Passive acoustic recording and remote cameras

Deploy passive acoustic recorders in suitable wet forest, especially where field access is difficult or where construction noise may affect observer surveys.

Use motion sensitive cameras on likely movement routes, feeding areas and display arenas, while avoiding placement that could obstruct movement or disturb a nest.

Run acoustic and camera deployments for a period that represents the site’s activity and weather conditions, and document the number and location of devices, operating dates, failures and review effort.

  • Use passive acoustic recording as a supplementary method rather than evidence that absence has been demonstrated.
  • Review recordings for the species’ loud calls and mimicry, and retain time stamped files for independent verification.
  • Use remote cameras to extend detection outside observer hours and to reduce the need for repeated entry into dense forest.

Survey methodology: 4. Targeted nest and territory checks

Inspect steep rock faces, rocky ledges, fissures, caves and dense thickets for nests or courtship arenas before disturbance. Females may nest on rocky ledges, in rock fissures, between rocks or occasionally in caves on steep faces or cliffs.

Look for territorial activity, display arenas, repeated calls, feeding disturbance and regular movement routes, but do not enter dense cover or approach a suspected nest unnecessarily.

Treat a confirmed nest, display arena or repeatedly used feeding area as a sensitive site and refer it to the project fauna management plan before works proceed.

Clutch size: One egg

Female responsibilities: The female builds the nest, incubates the egg and raises the young

Nest settings: Rocky ledges, rock fissures, spaces between rocks, and occasionally caves on steep rock faces or cliffs

  • Complete checks by a suitably experienced ecologist and use remote methods where a close approach could disturb the bird.
  • Record the location, habitat condition, photographs, access route and proposed exclusion area for every confirmed or suspected breeding feature.

Survey methodology: Minimum effort and reporting

  • Survey every area of wet rainforest and wet sclerophyll forest that may be disturbed, including retained habitat immediately beside the work footprint.
  • Use more than one method where habitat is suitable but birds are not detected, because the species is shy, cryptic and less vocal outside winter.
  • Record survey dates, start and finish times, weather, observers, methods, search routes, playback use, acoustic and camera deployment, habitat condition, effort and all detections.
  • Map the project footprint, all suitable habitat, confirmed and suspected territories, nests, display arenas, feeding areas and connectivity to retained forest.
  • Submit verified records and negative survey information, where requested, to the relevant NSW wildlife database and the relevant state or territory biodiversity database for the project area.
  • Confirm the current state survey requirements, licences, animal ethics requirements and any project specific conditions before fieldwork begins.

Before habitat disturbance: Avoid and minimise habitat loss

Plan the work around the species’ restricted wet forest habitat and its winter breeding period. The main controls are avoidance, retention of moist forest structure and protection of links between occupied forest patches.

Known range: Far south eastern Queensland and north eastern NSW, including the McPherson, Tweed, Border, Koonyum and Nightcap Ranges, and the Blackwall Range

Known Queensland habitat areas: Main Range, McPherson Ranges and Mount Tamborine

Known NSW concern: The isolated Blackwall Range population may contain as few as 10 or fewer birds

  • Avoid clearing wet rainforest and wet sclerophyll forest wherever practicable, particularly habitat with deep moist leaf litter, fallen logs, wet understorey, eucalypt canopy and rocky nesting sites.
  • Retain continuous forest between occupied or potentially occupied patches, including gullies, lower slopes, ridges and corridors used to move between feeding and breeding areas.
  • Keep the isolated and small populations at particular risk from further loss or isolation, including the Blackwall Range population in NSW.
  • Do not replace suitable wet sclerophyll forest or rainforest with eucalypt or Hoop Pine plantations where the project can retain or restore the original forest structure.
  • Locate access tracks, compounds, stockpiles, drainage works and lighting outside retained habitat and away from known or suspected territories.

Before habitat disturbance: Approvals and timing

NSW status: Vulnerable

EPBC status in the supplied profile: Not listed

Breeding season: Winter, with clutches recorded from late May to mid-August

  • Check the NSW Vulnerable species requirements and obtain any threatened species, scientific, animal ethics or wildlife handling approvals before survey, clearing or relocation work.
  • The supplied material identifies Albert’s Lyrebird as not listed under the EPBC Act, so an EPBC referral is not triggered for this species alone, but check the full project species list and current legislation before relying on that position.
  • Schedule vegetation clearing outside the winter breeding period where practicable, and avoid works near active nests, display arenas and repeatedly used territories.
  • Prepare a species specific fauna management plan that defines survey methods, exclusion areas, stop work triggers, handling authority, release locations, incident reporting and rehabilitation commitments.

Before habitat disturbance: Pre-clearance setup

  • Complete a pre-clearance survey of all suitable forest and the adjoining retained habitat before finalising the clearing boundary.
  • Mark trees, logs, rocky ledges, fissures, caves, display arenas, deep litter areas, gullies and movement corridors that must be retained or checked before disturbance.
  • Install exclusion fencing around retained habitat and sensitive sites where it will prevent machinery entry and is suited to the terrain and construction method.
  • Brief machinery operators and the fauna spotter catcher on the approved clearing limits, access routes, exclusion areas, stop work triggers and reporting process.
  • Stage clearing so that birds can move towards connected retained wet forest rather than being surrounded by progressive clearing.

During habitat disturbance: Daily controls and machinery coordination

Use a slow, controlled clearing process with a fauna spotter catcher present for all high risk work. Stop work when a bird, nest or previously unidentified sensitive habitat feature is found.

  • Inspect exclusion fencing, retained habitat boundaries, access routes and erosion or sediment controls before work starts each day.
  • Keep machinery within the approved footprint and use the smallest practical clearing width and working area.
  • Maintain a fauna spotter catcher in a position where they can see the active work area, the next vegetation to be removed and the escape route to retained forest.
  • Direct the operator to pause before felling, pushing, mulching or entering dense understorey, gullies, rocky ground or log piles.
  • Clear progressively from the least suitable habitat towards retained wet forest, allowing a detected bird to move away from machinery.

During habitat disturbance: Habitat feature handling

  • Retain fallen logs, deep moist litter, wet understorey, eucalypt canopy and rainforest plants wherever they are outside the unavoidable footprint.
  • Do not move or destroy rocky ledges, fissures, caves or dense thickets until they have been checked for nests, display arenas and birds.
  • If a log, rock feature or vegetation patch must be moved, stop and have the fauna spotter catcher inspect it before disturbance, then place it in nearby retained or rehabilitation habitat where safe and approved.
  • Prevent soil compaction, sediment movement, weed spread and drying of retained gullies and forest floor habitat.
  • Do not burn cleared material or use fire in or beside retained habitat unless the approved management plan specifically permits it and identifies the ecological controls.

During habitat disturbance: If a bird is found

  • Stop the immediate activity and give the bird time to move into retained habitat without pursuit.
  • Do not chase, catch or handle a healthy Albert’s Lyrebird unless the person is authorised, trained and the action is required under the approved fauna procedure.
  • Keep workers, vehicles, dogs and machinery away from the bird’s escape route and release area.
  • If capture is necessary, use the least stressful approved method, minimise handling and release the bird into nearby suitable retained wet forest identified in the fauna management plan.
  • Do not relocate a bird into dry sclerophyll forest, isolated unsuitable vegetation or habitat outside the approved release area.
  • Take an injured bird to an authorised wildlife carer or veterinarian through the project’s approved wildlife response process.
  • Notify the project ecologist and relevant wildlife authority of any capture, injury, death, nest disturbance or unapproved relocation.

During habitat disturbance: Stop work and records

  • Stop work within the affected area if an Albert’s Lyrebird is detected in the clearing zone, if a nest or display arena is found, or if clearing would isolate a retained habitat patch or movement corridor.
  • Stop work if the fauna spotter catcher loses visibility of the active work area or if machinery cannot maintain the approved exclusion distance.
  • Record the date, time, location, habitat, activity, bird behaviour, photographs, calls or recordings, action taken, handler, release location and outcome for every incident.
  • Update the site map and daily fauna register before work resumes, and obtain approval from the project ecologist or other nominated authority for any changed control.

After habitat disturbance: Post-clearance checks

Post-clearance work must confirm that no bird, nest or sensitive habitat feature was missed and that retained forest remains connected and suitable. Use the results to adjust controls during later stages of the project.

  • Inspect the cleared edge, retained forest boundary, rocky features, logs and adjacent gullies at the end of each clearing day and again before the next work stage.
  • Search for injured or displaced birds, feathers, carcasses, nests, damaged display arenas, exposed logs and changes to wet understorey or litter cover.
  • Keep exclusion fencing, signage and no-go areas in place until the project ecologist confirms that the relevant stage is complete and the area is stable.
  • Repair any machinery damage, sediment entry, weed intrusion or accidental clearing in retained habitat immediately.

After habitat disturbance: Monitoring and adaptive management

  • Use repeat call observations, passive acoustic recorders and motion sensitive cameras in retained habitat where the project may affect an occupied or suspected territory.
  • Monitor during winter breeding activity and compare detections, habitat condition and connectivity with the pre-clearance baseline.
  • Increase monitoring or reinstate exclusion controls if birds stop using retained habitat, are repeatedly recorded near machinery, or if fire, weeds, noise or edge effects reduce habitat quality.
  • Keep monitoring results with the project environmental records and provide them to the relevant wildlife authority where approval conditions require it.

After habitat disturbance: Reporting and offsets

  • Submit all verified sightings, acoustic records, nest records, injuries, deaths, relocations and habitat impacts to the relevant state or territory wildlife database and approval authority when required.
  • Report any confirmed loss of occupied habitat, isolation of a population or breach of the fauna management plan through the project incident process.
  • Apply any approved offset, restoration or compensatory habitat requirement to wet rainforest and wet sclerophyll forest that supports moist litter, fallen logs, wet understorey and connectivity.
  • Do not use an offset as a reason to clear avoidable occupied or suitable habitat.

Rehabilitation actions: Restore species habitat

Rehabilitation should rebuild the moist forest floor and connected wet forest structure used by Albert’s Lyrebird for feeding, shelter and breeding. Success is indicated by stable wet understorey, litter and logs, reduced weeds, connected habitat and repeated species detections over time.

Foraging substrate: Deep, moist leaf litter and fallen logs

Food: Insects, larvae and other soil and leaf litter invertebrates

Preferred vegetation: Wet rainforest or wet sclerophyll forest with wet rainforest plants in the understorey

  • Replant local rainforest and wet sclerophyll forest species appropriate to the site’s original vegetation community, with a wet understorey and a eucalypt canopy where that reflects the pre disturbance habitat.
  • Reinstate large fallen logs, coarse woody debris and retained leaf litter in safe locations to restore ground foraging habitat and invertebrate resources.
  • Recreate shaded, moist gullies and lower slope habitat, and prevent drainage, compaction and sediment deposition that would dry the forest floor.
  • Retain or restore rocky ledges, fissures, caves and dense thickets where they provide potential nesting or display sites.
  • Use nest boxes only if a project ecologist identifies a specific need and an appropriate design and location, because the supplied documents identify natural rock and cave nesting sites rather than a nest box requirement.

Rehabilitation actions: Manage weeds, predators and fire

  • Control Lantana and other weeds that invade logged or damaged habitat and reduce the suitability of the understorey.
  • Prevent livestock access to restored remnants and forest edges with fencing where grazing threatens litter, logs or regenerating understorey.
  • Manage red foxes and feral or domestic dogs and cats in accordance with approved pest management requirements, particularly near isolated populations and development edges.
  • Protect retained and rehabilitated habitat from frequent fire, especially in dry years, while following the site’s statutory fire management requirements.
  • Prevent new development, plantation conversion and intensive forest management from removing the wet understorey, canopy or ground layer being restored.

Rehabilitation actions: Measure rehabilitation success

  • Set baseline photo points and mapped plots for canopy, wet understorey, leaf litter, logs, weeds, soil moisture indicators, fire impacts and connectivity before rehabilitation begins.
  • Inspect rehabilitation after planting, after major weather events and at the intervals set by the approval or fauna management plan.
  • Use winter listening surveys, passive acoustic recorders and motion sensitive cameras to test whether Albert’s Lyrebirds return to or continue using the restored habitat.
  • Treat repeated detections, stable moist litter and understorey, retained logs, effective weed control and an unbroken connection to occupied forest as practical success measures.
  • Continue weed, predator, fire and access controls until the project ecologist and approval authority agree that the habitat is self sustaining.

Sources