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Eurobodalla nesting box program

Nesting boxes are artificial hollows that provide habitat to native wildlife. The boxes cannot replace an old growth tree with diverse hollows, but in areas where these hollows no longer exist, nesting boxes can benefit some wildlife species.

  • Over 300 species of our native animals use tree hollows for nesting, breeding and shelter.
  • Hollows provide a safe home away from predators and the weather.
  • It can take hundreds of years for a tree to develop hollows. They are crucial for the survival of many native animals.

The devastation of the 2019/20 summer bushfires resulted in a significant reduction in the number of hollows across the Eurobodalla. With thanks to funding from WIRES and government grants, we are installing nesting boxes for local wildlife throughout the Eurobodalla Shire.

Background

During the first stage of this program Council worked with community groups across Australia to build 600 nesting boxes for a diverse range of native wildlife, including feather-tailed gliders, sugar gliders, parrots and other bird species.

We coordinated with landholders and Landcare groups to install these nesting boxes in burnt and unburnt vegetated areas across the Eurobodalla.

  • The location of the boxes, orientation, and installation method are all important elements for success.
  • We will continue to work with these landholders and Landcare groups, including monitoring the boxes to determine if they are being used, and by which species.
  • So far we've seen some wonderful results - wildlife making themselves a new home.

We're now in the second stage of the nesting box program, working with experts to develop nesting tubes for Gang-gang cockatoos.

  • Over the past 20 years, Gang-gangs have experienced a decline in population by about 70%.
  • It's anticipated they will be listed as endangered in 2022.
  • As a pilot program, we'll install 30 nesting boxes in 10 very specific locations to determine if Gang-gang cockatoos will use the purpose-built nesting tubes to breed.
  • The result of this program could be a significant conservation measure to protect the species from becoming extinct in the future.

More information

For more information about the Eurobodalla Nesting Box Program, please contact Courtney Fink-Downes, Natural Resource Supervisor on: