Recently, a small group from Upper Plenty Merri Catchments Landcare headed out to Bruces Creek Road to monitor the nest boxes that have been put in place.
Using our nest box camera—funded through a Landcare grant as part of the Hollows and Homes Project—we were able to get a clear picture of how these artificial habitats are being used.
The results were genuinely encouraging. A number of boxes are now occupied by Krefft’s gliders (sugar gliders), and even more importantly, we recorded the presence of the brush-tailed phascogale, a threatened native species. Seeing these animals using the boxes is a strong sign that our efforts are supporting habitat where natural hollows are limited.
We have more activity coming up, including a nest box making day on 15 August for those interested in getting involved. We’ll also be hosting a demonstration of the Hollowhog—an innovative tool for creating hollows in existing trees.
It is great to see practical, local action contributing to biodiversity in our area