Provide water in a safe locations AUSTRALIA

• Shallow containers for water are ideal. Weigh containers down (e.g. with rocks or heavy sticks) to keep them from tipping over and to allow animals that fall in to climb out.

• Place water containers in the shade, at different elevations and next to vegetation which can provide cover if birds need to escape quickly.

• Replace the water once a week to keep it clean and prevent mosquitos. Replace the water more frequently if the weather is warm.

• Consider installing a shallow pond (if less than 30 cm deep this does not need to be fenced in Australia) as lyrebirds like to wash their feathers every day. Place partially-submerged rocks and logs in the pond to help birds and other wildlife to use it safely.

• See the following guide Providing water for birds for more tips: https://www.birdsinbackyards.net/sites/www.birdsinbackyards.net/files/page/attachments/Providing%20water%20for%20birds.pdf

Protect bird habitat• Keep away from nests or display mounds so lyrebirds do not abandon

them.• If your neighbourhood or property was burned by the fires, spread

native, weed-free mulch over recovering areas to help replenish food sources (invertebrates) for lyrebirds.

• Protect vegetation in unburnt gullies from being browsed on by feral herbivores (e.g. deer) using ‘wildlife-friendly fencing’.

• Leave fallen logs and branches on the ground.• Protect large trees, especially if they have hollows (unless they are a

safety hazard). Did you know Lyrebirds nest off the ground in trees and rock ledges?

Plant local natives• Plant local native plants, as local birds use these for food and

shelter.• Plant a variety of local natives which flower at different times of

the year to provide nectar feeding birds and insects with year-round food.

• Plant large native shrubs and grasses in clusters to provide birds with food and shelter.

• See the following web page for details on how to make your garden a safe haven for birds: https://www.birdsinbackyards.net/Your-Garden-How-make-it-safe-haven-birds

• Attract birds whilst reducing the risks of bushfire on your property by creating an Asset Protection Zone.

• See the following factsheet Creating bird-friendly gardens in bush fire prone areas for more information on creating an Asset Protection Zone: https://www.birdsinbackyards.net/sites/www.birdsinbackyards.net/files/page/attachments/Bird%20Friendly%20Garden%20Factsheet%5B3%5D.pdf

Record sightings of lyrebirds and other native birds on the Birdata app or website (https://birdata.birdlife.org.au/). A guide on how to use Birdata can be found here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofzyb4YeVwE. This data can be used to monitor where birds go and how they have moved since the bushfires.

Record bird sightings