Many native species in Australia rely on tree hollows for nesting. Sadly, habitat loss, degradation of native bushland and natural disasters like bushfires, has significantly reduced the availability of natural nesting sites around Australia.
It takes at least 100 years for a suitable tree hollow to form, but for some species, it can take up to 200 years waiting for an appropriate hollow. Those are some scary numbers considering the current rates of land clearing around the nation.
While the retention of old-growth trees and their natural tree hollows is always the best solution, nesting boxes can be an alternative option when this hasn’t been possible. The installation of nesting boxes has become a significant aid in the conservation and monitoring of native species.
These artificial hollows are designed to provide homes for a number of native species, and are built to specifically suit a certain species. They are commonly used for species of birds, bats and possums.
We recently embarked on a nesting box installation project on a university campus in Sydney. Residing within a key riparian area, we installed nesting boxes to support the local native species, which included birds, bats and wood duck communities. By providing these critical nesting spaces and restoring habitat, we hope local biodiversity will be enhanced and will help to conserve the local native wildlife populations. Continued research and monitoring will take place.
The installation of nesting boxes and their visibility within the community are helpful tools to raise awareness and educate both customers and communities. We hope that as more of us collectively understand the threats facing native wildlife, this will foster a greater sense of stewardship and environmental responsibility.
If you’d like to learn more about installing nesting boxes at home, Birds In Backyards have some great information on how to get started.
