THE preservation of habitat for lyrebirds in the Sherbrooke Forest has received a major boost, with a national grant to help one of the longest-running groups in Victoria.
Funds of almost $50,000 will help the Sherbrooke Lyrebird Survey Group step up its fantastic work, with the funds part of the Dandenong Ranges Environment and Bushfire Reduction Community Grants.
The group, which has operated in the forest for 57 years, is ecstatic over the announcement, which will enable them to boost the clearing and fencing work they need to keep out feral deer from the territories of the Superb Lyrebirds.
Alex Maisey, from the groups, said the ongoing monitoring by the group revealed feral deer had caused considerable damage.
“They ringbark the sassafras by rubbing their antlers against the trees,” he said.
“They are big animals and also cause a lot of erosion and damage to the threatened vegetation communities by both trampling and eating.”
The grant will provide exclusion fencing of some of the threatened vegetation to stop access by the deer, as well as fund weed control.
Despite the weed and deer problems, the Sherbrooke Forest is home to a healthy population of lyrebirds across its 800 hectares.
Mr Maisey said recent surveys revealed about 60 males could be supported – an estimated total population of between 170 to 200 birds.
“Lyrebirds are very long-lived and the males take between seven to 10 years to mature and gain their own territories,” he said.
“Given how quickly the deer population has expanded, we need to act now.
“The fencing will allow us to set up some long-term monitoring to check the impact of feral deer control programs.”
Member for La Trobe, Jason Wood, helped to secure the grants, which the Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority co-ordinate.
Mr Wood said he was proud to have secured the funding through the National Landcare Program.
