Sustainable Timbers aerial surveys uncover new nests in Tassie forests

Recent aerial surveys by the state’s public forestry company have uncovered some good news for eagle species in Tassie, ahead of the birds’ main breeding season.

Jason Lawson coordinator Forest Products. Sustainable Timber Tasmania’s north west and southern teams out searching for eagle nests. Picture: Sustainable Timber Tasmania

Sixteen new eagle nests have been found by Sustainable Timber Tasmania in their annual surveys ahead of the birds’ main breeding season.

STT said its operational teams carried out final aerial surveys in the South, North East, and North West of the state last week for the nests to protect wedge-tailed eagles and white-bellied sea eagles.

Jason Lawson coordinator Forest Products. Sustainable Timber Tasmania'•s north west and southern teams out searching for eagle nests. Picture: Sustainable Timber Tasmania

Suzette Weeding, general manager, conservation and land management at STT, said as part of the extensive program, surveys were conducted to check the condition of existing nests identified during previous programs, search for new nests and record their locations.

She said this year, across public production forests and adjacent land, about 37,000 hectares were surveyed, 144 known nests were revisited and 16 new nests were discovered.

“This valuable information helps us protect nest sites, preserve habitat, and inform our operational planning,” Ms Weeding said.

“By monitoring the nests, we can mitigate potential disturbances, maximising the best outcomes for the breeding season.”

She said management of eagle species under the Tasmanian forest practices system focused on minimising the risk of disturbance to breeding birds and associated nest sites.

Sustainable Timber Tasmania’s north west and southern teams out searching for eagle nests. Picture: Sustainable Timber Tasmania

“Wedge-tailed eagles and white-bellied sea-eagles rely on mature eucalypt forests to breed.

“Areas sheltered from the strongest winds are almost always chosen as nesting sites by eagles.”

Ms Weeding said that from July, STT would implement management restrictions developed using scientific research methods, to adapt harvesting activities where applicable.

She said this included implementing a designated 10 hectare reserve around trees with eagle nests on Permanent Timber Protected Zone land.

She said reserves around trees are required to minimise disturbance on nest sites and maintain their viability as breeding locations for eagles into the future.

Originally published as Sustainable Timbers aerial surveys uncover new nests in Tassie forests