Lyrebirds are survivors, but the situation for Australian birdlife after the bushfires is dire | Sean Dooley

Recovery after fires of such unparalleled enormity is going to take decades and enormous resourcesFor literally millions of years, the glorious songs of lyrebirds have rung out across the valleys of south-eastern Australia. Lyrebirds have an extraordinary vocal range and are famously accomplished mimics with their own lush, ringing calls mingled with impersonations on their avian neighbours.However, research from BirdLife Australia examining the impacts of the recent bushfires is showing that an unprecedented number of those valleys are cloaked in silence today. No lyrebirds are likely to be calling. No whipbirds. Or kookaburras, cockatoos, currawongs. Or any of any of the birds that compose the rich soundtrack familiar to those of us who love visiting these areas. Continue reading...