The 23rd annual survey of the Superb Lyrebird, designed to provide an index of population numbers within the Reserve since the 2003 bushfires, was run under cloudy but warm conditions with threatening rain. Thanks to a great turnout and with 16 volunteer we were able to survey all six trails. Superb Lyrebird counts were as follows: Gibraltar Rocks – 4 (3), Devils Gap – 3 (5), Fishing Gap – 8 (Not surveyed), Ashbrook – 4 (3), Camel Back -11 (11). Figures in brackets are numbers reported last year. It should be noted that at times a calling bird can be heard from more than one trail. In this case the sighting is designated to one trail only. Numbers were similar to last year for all surveyed trails. As in previous years, the records from Lyrebird /Cascades (4) are not included in the total because this trail has only been surveyed since 2017. The total count was 30, one down from the previous year; see Figure 1. Of interest is that the number of birds recorded along Camel Back trail appears to be stable whilst the number at Fishing Gap appears to be increasing since 2020. Unfortunately, for 2025 the Fishing Gap trail was not surveyed so an estimate of 7 was given by taking the average of the two previous years. This estimate appears to be correct and supports the number recorded on 2026. The numbers at all other trails appear to be relatively stable. The linear trend line indicates an increasing number of Lyrebirds which is primarily due to the increase in numbers reported from Fishing Gap. Figure 1. Numbers of Superb Lyrebirds recorded from walking trails at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, 2004-2026. GR-Gibraltar Rocks, DG-Devils Gap, FG-Fishing Gap, AT- Ashbrook Trail, CB-Camel Back, Tot-Total number of birds. A linear trend line has been fitted to the total number of Lyrebirds. During the survey 36 bird species were recorded with the number seen depending very much on the trail walked: Gibraltar Rocks – 21 (19), Devils Gap – 17 (19), Fishing Gap – 17 (ns), Ashbrook – 17 (13), and Camel Back – 9 (9). The total number of species recorded over 23 surveys remains at 63. Superb Lyrebird, White-throated Treecreeper and Brown Thornbill were reported from the six trails. There were many species reported from one trail only. These included: Weebill, Yellow-rumped Thornbill, New Holland Honeyeater, Mistletoebird and Common Blackbird from Gibraltar Rocks; Wedge-tailed Eagle, Striated Pardalote, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, Spotted Quail-thrush and Australian Magpie from Devils Gap, Grey Fantail from Fishing Gap; Gang-gang Cockatoo, Laughing Kookaburra from Ashbrook; and Pilotbird from Camel Back. Five eBird checklists were submitted. See previous July newsletters for details on particular surveys. Many thanks to all the volunteers. Chris Davey