Albert's Lyrebird (Menura alberti) is uniquely identifiable by its elaborate tail of glossy black and silver plumes. They are also remarkable mimics, giving calls resembling other rainforest species as well as man-made sounds such as cars and chainsaws.

The total population of Albert's Lyrebird is estimated at 3,500 breeding birds (across NSW and Queensland) and is likely to be declining based on documented data. The leading cause of population decline is the fragmentation and isolation of suitable habitats.

The Marbled Frogmouth (Podargus ocellatus) inhabits similar wet forest types as Albert’s Lyrebird. It has very low reproduction rates, and experiences the same threats to the ongoing survival of the species - land clearing, inappropriate fire regimes and timber harvesting, with future impacts of climate change posing additional risks.

With the majority of Albert’s Lyrebird and Marbled Frogmouth distribution outside of protected National Parks, private lands containing good areas of connecting habitat are likely to be important to the survival of these species and maintenance of their geographical range.

This Threatened Species project, co-funded by FNPW and the NSW Government, involves:

• -Holding workshops and on-site mentoring that focus on improving skills in invasive weed identification and control, native plant ID, plant propagation and bush regeneration techniques.
• -Wildlife camera monitoring and data recording, fire awareness, wildlife friendly fencing, and feral animal monitoring and control.
• -Undertaking baseline surveys on selected properties and establishing an ongoing monitoring program that landholders can participate in.
• -Collating data and reporting overall results from the project, focussing on new records, threat assessments, improved knowledge around patterns of movement and population health.

The project area Yabbra, Toonumbar, Border Ranges and Nightcap National Parks in NSW.

Encouraging site-based management to mitigate threats and restore habitat will assist in maintaining rainforest Threatened Ecological Communities in these areas and also benefit a range of other fauna species.

This project has been supported by the New South Wales Government’s Saving our Species program through its Office of Environment and Heritage