In over 20 years living in Brisbane, I have never had the privilege of seeing an Albert’s Lyrebird in full display. I’d come close several times – to the point of seeing the tips of quivering tail-feathers – but while it’s easy enough to bump into AL’s wandering around the tracks of Lamington, and they are as vocal as their southern cousins, they are notoriously shy and hard to approach when in display.
Yesterday (Tuesday) I got seriously lucky. After a business engagement on the Gold Coast, I decided to head up to Mt Tamborine for a short walk. I was treated to watching a male Albert’s singing his heart out from a trampled platform of vine stems – exactly how the guides always described! – for a full five minutes, from a distance of about 25 metres. After a time I was able to approach (very, very quietly) to around 15 metres, but unfortunately I disturbed him when I got tangled up in a wait-a-while, and he vamoosed.
Nonetheless it was a thrilling encounter. I doubt any Australian birds have got the proverbial “wow” factor of a lyrebird in full song – anytime you’re fortunate enough to encounter one is invariably a jaw-dropping experience.
Andrew
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