Thinking outside the box: Nest boxes such as this are a good substitute for tree hollows that are in short supply.
The surrounds of Seymour are blessed with a rich array of wildlife; however, as wildlife habitat declines, solutions such as nest boxes are needed to ensure animals’ survival.
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Local wildlife controller Jenny Oakley says many rare species such as swift parrots, regent honeyeaters, squirrel gliders, powerful owls and barking owls are supported by the expanses of bushland in Puckapunyal and Tallarook Ranges.
However, the wood hollows of old trees are an undervalued part of these animals’ habitat. They are often taken for firewood despite the important role they play for wildlife.
Birds such as galahs and cockatoos use hollows for breeding season while bats and squirrel gliders rely on the hollows year round, creating ‘home trees’ where they are located.
“All of them need speciality hollows … so you’ve got this huge range of birds as well as mammals that need hollows, and we don’t have enough,” Mrs Oakley said.
“They are a vital part of our landscape that we have annihilated ... People are chopping everything up.”
Clever creatures: The tawny frogmouth on the right is sitting on an egg while the male protectively spreads his wings.
She says nest boxes are a good solution.
“If we keep putting them up it gives them a chance to breed at least. If we don’t put them up then they don’t breed,” Mrs Oakley said.
“I’d like to see more of the farmers around us put up nest boxes, it would be really good.”
For those who live in residential areas, nest boxes can still be used in backyards, provided an anti-cat climbing sleeve is put on the tree where the nest box is located.
Seymour Men’s Shed makes nest boxes available for purchase. To get one for your yard contact Ken Butcher on 0438 358 051.
Helping hand: The tawny frogmouth is one of many species that would benefit from the uptake of nest boxes by the community.
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