Brolgas (Grus rubicunda) at Rennick Plantation

A family of Brolgas have been nesting in the Rennick Plantation for a number of years. The Brolga is a tall, striking bird with an impressive wingspan. While not migratory, Brolgas have distinct habitat needs: they flock in deep, permanent freshwater marshes but prefer temporary, shallow wetlands with herb-dominated vegetation for nesting. 

At Rennick, the Brolga family nests near the David Downs area in a shallow wetland that provides sufficient water for feeding and nesting, along with the open space they need for flight access. This wetland has proven to be a reliable and important site for their breeding. 

Brolgas are listed under the Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988, and their presence in the plantation is recorded in our Geographic Information System (GIS). This spatial data ensures that forestry operations take the birds’ needs into account. It will also be submitted to the Victorian Biodiversity Atlas to support state-wide monitoring of the species. 

Our approach ensures that HVP staff are aware of key habitat areas during operational planning. Activities are managed to protect herb and sedge vegetation, which provide both nesting material and food. We also take care to minimise changes to water flow, depth, and holding capacity—critical features for successful nesting. 

This work is part of our broader environmental stewardship program, which also addresses threats such as invasive weeds and predators. In addition to protecting current nesting sites, we are enhancing other wetlands across the forest to increase future habitat opportunities for Brolgas.