Hot House: Nesting box construction
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A high proportion of Australian birds and mammals are dependent on hollows in trees for nesting and shelter. The number of suitable nesting hollows in trees is declining throughout Victoria. Trees are dying and falling over and very few trees are becoming the age at which hollows form.
It can take over 120 years for suitable hollows to develop in an eucalypt tree. There is also a huge trade in the older trees for fire wood which is recognized as a major reason for the decline in some woodland species.
Nesting boxes provide an important supplement to naturally occurring hollows in urban areas. A number of native birds and mammals frequently come into urban areas to feed from native trees planted in suburban gardens. However they are unable to breed due to the lack of sufficient nesting hollows.
Links can be made with the Big Brother project.
Bats
Over 13 species of insectivorous bats occur in the Melbourne area. They all
require daytime roosts, normally tree hollows. Bats are excellent at
controlling insect pests around the home. These special boxes are designed
for bats only and will not attract unwanted pest species such as bees or
feral birds.
Parrots
Parrots are amongst the most colourful of the Australian birds. Many of
those in the Melbourne area feed on nectar from eucalypts (gum trees). They
require hollow branches in which to breed. Some parrot species (eg
Lorikeets) tend to do better when nesting close together this helps them
compete with Starlings and Indian Mynahs. Two types of parrot boxes are
available, vertical and horizontal.
Possums:
Large And Small
The two common species of Possums in the Melbourne area are the Brushtail
and Ringtail Possums. The larger Brushtail is well known for entering
suburban homes. By giving them a house of its own will keep them out of
yours. The smaller Ringtail possum can make its own nest in dense
undergrowth, but will use nesting boxes.
Sugar Gliders
Another possum species in many parts of Australia is the Sugar Glider. These
beautiful animals can live in groups of five or more. They have a diet of
insects, nectar and tree sap. It has been found that eucalypts that have
Sugar Gliders living on them are healthier than those without. This is
because of the large numbers of insect pests that they consume. Sugar
Gliders prefer small entrances to their nests.
Information from - LaTrobe University Wildlife site
http://www.latrobe.edu.au/wildlife/nestboxes.html
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