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Protecting Wedge-Tailed Eagles Through Proactive Habitat Surveys at Lenah Estate
Earlier this year, SFM completed a comprehensive eagle nesting survey across its managed plantations in Lenah Estate, as part of its commitment to sustainable forestry and biodiversity conservation.
Over three days, aerial surveys were conducted across 29 coupes to identify and protect nests of Tasmania’s threatened birds of prey — primarily the Wedge-Tailed Eagle (Aquila audax fleayi) and the White-Bellied Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster). Both species are listed under the Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act 1995 as endangered and vulnerable, respectively.
SFM’s Kevin Williams and Andrew Plank preparing to conduct aerial surveys in Lenah Estate with assistance from Tasmanian Helicopters.
The survey identified five new Wedge-Tailed Eagle nests, all of which have been reported to the Natural Values Atlas (NVA) — the central data source for threatened species locations in Tasmania. Known nests within survey areas were also checked and confirmed.
SFM’s Engineering Forester, Kevin Williams, said the surveys are a critical part of planning forestry operations responsibly.
“Early identification of nest sites allows us to avoid disturbance and implement appropriate buffers well in advance of any scheduled activity,” Mr Williams said.
“With an increased number of first thinning operations scheduled in 2025, this year’s search program was our most extensive to date — and reflects how seriously we take our environmental obligations.”
Search areas were determined using the Forest Practices Authority’s (FPA) eagle nesting habitat model, focusing on zones within 500 metres — and within 1000 metres line-of-sight — of planned coupe boundaries.
Partnership with Tasmanian Helicopters
The aerial searches were undertaken in partnership with Tasmanian Helicopters, whose aircraft offer the low-speed, low-altitude capabilities needed for effective nest detection. Observers involved in the surveys are accredited through FPA training and are qualified to conduct raptor nest searches.
Importantly, all surveys were conducted outside of the eagle breeding season (which runs from 1 July to 31 January, and may extend into February), to further reduce any risk of disturbance.
Once a new nest is located, a Raptor Nest Location Form is completed and submitted to the NVA, where it is assigned a unique ID. This ensures visibility of new nest sites across the broader land management sector and supports a coordinated conservation approach.
SFM’s Managing Director, Andrew Morgan said the results of the program reinforce the company’s view that environmental planning must underpin every stage of the forest management lifecycle.
“Sustainable forestry isn’t just about managing timber — it’s about protecting the landscapes and species that make Tasmania unique,” he said.
“Surveys like these give us the data and confidence to operate in a way that is both productive and ecologically responsible.”
SFM will continue to monitor eagle nesting habitat across all its managed properties and is committed to applying best-practice environmental safeguards as part of its forest management system.
