Many Australian birds and mammals need nest hollows to shelter and raise their young. But as tree removal has seen a massive drop in available nesting sites for our native species.
Birds such as parrots, rosellas, kookaburras and most owls rely on hollows to lay eggs and raise chicks. Possums, gliders, microbats and antechinus also need hollows and some animals prefer multiple sites to rotate and avoid predators.
It takes many decades for trees to grow large enough to have suitable nest spaces. With so many old growth trees being removed from our landscapes, wildlife are left competing for scarce sites. Space is even more critical now that the introduced Indian Mynahs are increasing dramatically in numbers in the Northern Rivers. They also use nest hollows and aggressively drive out native birds.
Now is a really good time of the year to install nesting boxes, ahead of August and September, when birds become serious about identifying nesting locations for spring.
Consider buying or building your own nest boxes to provide additional options for native birds and wildlife. There are many websites that provide habitat box designs. Different animals and birds prefer different sized boxes, with different sized holes, but will often make do with whatever habitat is available. So don’t let the many box design ideas confuse you into inaction!
Every nest box that is put out into our local habitat is likely to provide a home for someone. A safe place for parents to raise their young will save many baby birds and animals and ensure a harmonious living environment for humans as well.
Local Mens’ Sheds will often build and sell nest boxes, or search the following websites for nest box plans: WIRES, Birds in Backyards, Birdlife Australia or Wildlife Queensland.
For further information call WIRES Northern Rivers hotline (6628 1898).
WIRES – https://www.wires.org.au/wildlife-info/wildlife-factsheets/wildlife-nest-boxes
Birds in Backyards – http://www.birdsinbackyards.net/Nest-Box-Plans
Wildlife Queensland – http://wildlife.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/nestbox_instructions.pdf
Birdlife Australia – http://www.birdlife.org.au/images/uploads/education_sheets/INFO-Nestbox-technical.pdf
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