Sherbrooke Lyrebird Survey
Group
The Sherbrooke Lyrebird Survey group was formed to protect and observe the Superb Lyrebirds in Sherbrooke forest, part of the Dandenong Ranges National Park. The group recieves annual grants from Parks Victoria to buy materials for the group's bird banding programme, and other necessary equipment.
Members of the group search the forest on a regular basis, looking for lyrebirds. Nests found in the breeding season are monitored, with as little disturbance to the female lyrebirds as possible. Two weeks before the chick leaves the nest, members return and place bands on the chick's legs. This enables the group to monitor the bird's movements for the rest of its life.
In the mid 1980s, the group became concerned about increasing predation after finding ten dead lyrebirds in the forest over several months. The major threats to lyrebirds are foxes and other feral animals. Lyrebirds spend most of their day on the ground and although they have incredible hearing and sight the fox is a serious threat. In response, during 1988 the Shire of Sherbrooke introduced the cat curfew in all areas around the forest, with the support of the Department of Conservation, Forests and Lands (now Department of Sustainability and Environment). The Shire of Yarra Ranges continues to enforce this curfew. The current managers of the DRNP, Parks Victoria, carry out a fox control program.
As a result of these measures, lyrebird numbers in Sherbrooke Forest have slowly increased and while control measures are maintained, the population is expected to continue to grow.