A special Update from the Eastern Bristlebird Team: Breeding Success, Habitat Upgrades, and what's next for 2025
As the year came to an end, the Eastern Bristlebird team has been busy achieving some incredible milestones: Successful breeding (15 new fledglings!), preparing for our largest Bristlebird release yet, and working hand-in-hand with our partners to restore habitats. It’s been an exciting time for all of us, and we’re thrilled to share our progress with you.
Curious about what's coming up? Keep reading to hear from Allison Beutel, Avian Conservation Specialist, to find out about our next big step for these amazing Birds.
A Successful Breeding Season
This breeding season has been nothing short of fantastic. Over the past few months, we’ve seen 15 new bristlebird offspring take their first steps into the world. Take a look at the adorable photo below of one of our new fledglings! The great news is that many of our Bird pairs are still nesting, which means this number could keep growing. We're absolutely bursting with joy at the success of our efforts. and we wouldn’t have it any other way!
Preparing for the February Release
Looking ahead to next month, we’re excited to announce our first release of 2025. We’ve selected 11 Bristlebirds to be part of this release. This is the largest group of Birds since we began releasing them from the breed for release program back in 2023. Our team has already moved the Birds into their pre-release habitats, where they will undergo health checks and preventative treatments to ensure they’re in top condition for their big moment.
We begin these health checks a month before the scheduled release, making sure all the Birds meet the necessary criteria to safely transition back into the wild. Our goal is always to give these Birds the best chance at survival once they’re released, and these health checks are a critical part of that process.
Collaborating for Habitat Restoration
Our hard work doesn’t stop with breeding and preparing Birds for release. We’re also collaborating with our incredible partners at NSW NPWS and DCCEEW to ensure the release sites are ready for the precious Bristlebirds. Habitat restoration and weed removal are essential tasks that help create safe and thriving environments for the Birds once they’re back in the wild. This restoration work is an ongoing effort throughout the year, as we prepare multiple sites to welcome the Bristlebirds home.
Looking Ahead
We couldn’t be more proud of how far we’ve come in 2023 and 2024, and we’re very excited for what’s to come in 2025. With the continued support of our partners, community and the dedication of the our team, we are making strides in ensuring the survival of this amazing species.
Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to the February release, and keep an eye on our social media for more behind-the-scenes photos and stories!
You can also make an immediate impact and support our upcoming release by donating much needed equipment from our wish list.