03 February 2006 - Eastern Bristlebird Diary
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By John Young
For more than three years now I have roamed the hills, braving all kinds of weather in the border ranges of Southern Queensland and Northern NSW, searching for the nests of the Eastern Bristlebird. Apart from monitoring the numbers of this fragile creature, the aim of the project was to obtain either chicks or eggs of the species for a captive breeding program being carried out with Queensland Parks and Wildlife at David Fleay’s Fauna Sanctuary on the Gold Coast.
Without question this bird is very rare and during the many hundreds of hours spent with them, I have had the privilege of coming across less than a dozen pairs. During this time I have managed to find fourteen active nests. Some were discovered while in the early stages of construction and some only days away from completion. On two occasions nests were found with very small chicks maybe only 3 to 5 days old. One nest with one chick, and the other on New Years Eve 2004 with two chicks.
Finding a nest of the Eastern Bristlebird is no easy task. Frequently the nests are incredibly well hidden and require an enormous amount of patience, observation and listening for the birds to give the nest site away. On more than one occasion I have realised that the nest has been within metres of my position, yet it has still been very difficult to detect. Quite often it is concealed deep within a tussock of thick grass and only barely visible, even when the tussock is partly opened to peer down into its centre. Even then, you may only see a few blades of grass criss-crossing what could be the domed nest below.
On most occasions the nests have been discovered in a small grassy clearing, usually at least thirty metres across. Even though the habitat looks great, with large dense stands of grass amongst sparsely timbered areas, they still seem to prefer a nest site away from the trees. Perhaps this is a strategy to be far enough away from predators perched above - who could only see them moving through their grassy habitat to the nest.
More than once I have seen Grey and Brown Goshawks and Pied Currawongs, perched quietly on a branch above watching the Bristlebirds move through the dense grass below. However, I think the Bristlebirds are well and truly aware of the threats that may be lurking above as they usually race across small clearings, like frightened rats, to cover.
Since starting on the project in 2003 I have been frustrated by the amount of failures there have been with active Bristlebird nests that I have found which have not continued on from construction to eggs or chicks. Usually, it takes a number of days of searching before a nest can be found.
It is always an exciting moment when you’re on the hunt, you know your close, you can feel it in your bones, then you peer down the centre of that tussock and THERE IT IS! Your heart almost misses a beat as you reflect on all the clues that finally led you to this spot. My young friend James Hardy, who works with John Young Wildlife Enterprises, knows exactly what I mean. James was with me during a recent nest discovery and over a period of two days, had the privelege of seeing four Eastern Bristlebirds in their natural environment. Such rare memories could hardly be forgotten.
For more than three years now I have roamed the hills, braving all kinds of weather in the border ranges of Southern Queensland and Northern NSW, searching for the nests of the Eastern Bristlebird. Apart from monitoring the numbers of this fragile creature, the aim of the project was to obtain either chicks or eggs of the species for a captive breeding program being carried out with Queensland Parks and Wildlife at David Fleay’s Fauna Sanctuary on the Gold Coast.
Without question this bird is very rare and during the many hundreds of hours spent with them, I have had the privilege of coming across less than a dozen pairs. During this time I have managed to find fourteen active nests. Some were discovered while in the early stages of construction and some only days away from completion. On two occasions nests were found with very small chicks maybe only 3 to 5 days old. One nest with one chick, and the other on New Years Eve 2004 with two chicks.
Finding a nest of the Eastern Bristlebird is no easy task. Frequently the nests are incredibly well hidden and require an enormous amount of patience, observation and listening for the birds to give the nest site away. On more than one occasion I have realised that the nest has been within metres of my position, yet it has still been very difficult to detect. Quite often it is concealed deep within a tussock of thick grass and only barely visible, even when the tussock is partly opened to peer down into its centre. Even then, you may only see a few blades of grass criss-crossing what could be the domed nest below.
On most occasions the nests have been discovered in a small grassy clearing, usually at least thirty metres across. Even though the habitat looks great, with large dense stands of grass amongst sparsely timbered areas, they still seem to prefer a nest site away from the trees. Perhaps this is a strategy to be far enough away from predators perched above - who could only see them moving through their grassy habitat to the nest.
More than once I have seen Grey and Brown Goshawks and Pied Currawongs, perched quietly on a branch above watching the Bristlebirds move through the dense grass below. However, I think the Bristlebirds are well and truly aware of the threats that may be lurking above as they usually race across small clearings, like frightened rats, to cover.
Since starting on the project in 2003 I have been frustrated by the amount of failures there have been with active Bristlebird nests that I have found which have not continued on from construction to eggs or chicks. Usually, it takes a number of days of searching before a nest can be found.
It is always an exciting moment when you’re on the hunt, you know your close, you can feel it in your bones, then you peer down the centre of that tussock and THERE IT IS! Your heart almost misses a beat as you reflect on all the clues that finally led you to this spot. My young friend James Hardy, who works with John Young Wildlife Enterprises, knows exactly what I mean. James was with me during a recent nest discovery and over a period of two days, had the privelege of seeing four Eastern Bristlebirds in their natural environment. Such rare memories could hardly be forgotten.