Download Nest boxes- The last step - Moreton Bay Regional Council

Nest boxes- the last step
In the Moreton Bay Regional council area, there are more than 31 native mammals, 14 reptiles, 6
amphibians, and 60 bird species that use tree hollows. In fact, approximately 15 percent of Australia’s
terrestrial vertebrate wildlife depend on tree hollows for shelter or breeding. Unfortunately, naturally
occurring hollows are becoming scarce, leaving much of our wildlife homeless.
How can I help our local wildlife?
1. Retain old Eucalypts and other hollow bearing trees;
2. Plant local native trees for a food source and a future habitat tree; and
3. Hang nest boxes to provide more homes for our wildlife
Eucalypts take at least 120 - 200 years to form hollows.
Try to preserve habitat trees with hollows.
The community and private landholders can get involved to improve the habitat for native wildlife by
preserving hollow bearing trees and erecting nest boxes. Nest boxes can play a vital role in species
conservation in areas where tree hollows have been removed or/are scarce.
The first priority before installing nest boxes in an area is to retain or plant local native trees.
Why install a nest box?
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The abundance of tree hollows is decreasing due to the effects
of:
Vegetation clearing;
Fire wood collection;
Bushfires;
Increased tree fall in disturbed areas;
Low tree recruitment due to clearing of understorey vegetation.
A nest box should not replace an existing tree hollow.
Try and retain old native hollow bearing trees where possible.
What wildlife species do I target?
Nest boxes can be designed and located to attract specific fauna
such as micro-bats, rosellas, lorikeets, cockatoos, gliders or
possums and even native bees.
In residential areas or urban parklands, nest boxes will often be
used by animals which are more adaptable to disturbed areas
(such as kookaburras, possums, parrots and cockatoos) and
exclude other less dominant species (such as tree creepers,
kingfishers, micro-bats and gliders).
Hollow dependant priority species of the Moreton Bay Region
Common Name
Likelihood in Urban Areas
Type of Box
Powerful Owl
Possible
Very large bird box.
Glossy Black-Cockatoo
Possible to Unlikely
Very large bird box.
Red-browed treecreeper
Possible
Parrot Box
Turquoise Parrot
Unknown
Parrot Box
Sooty Owl
Unlikely
Very large bird box.
Brush-tailed Phascogale
Unlikely
Glider box
Squirrel Glider
Likely in urban areas
Glider box
Feathertail Glider
Likely in urban areas
Microbat Box
Golden-tipped Bat
Unlikely
Microbat Box
Where do I get a nest box?
1. Receive a free nest box by joining one of council’s voluntary conservation programs.
2. Buy a suitable nest box through a reputable commercial dealer.
3. Build one yourself at a workshop or following recommended design and construction.
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February 10
What nest box design?
The size of the entrance hole of the nest box generally determines the type of
fauna that will use a nest box. Micro-bats and small gliders can enter small holes
or gaps (20 – 30mm diameter) while Brushtail possums, some parrots and owls
require large entrance holes (100-200mm diameter).
The depth of the box may also be an important factor; large birds such as owls
may need a hollow up to 1m deep. The height in the tree where the nest box is
positioned should also be considered.
A great book for nest box design and construction is Nest Boxes for Wildlife, a Practical
Guide, by Alan and Stacey Franks. This book can be purchased through council.
Nest box requirements for different native animals
(Sourced from Nest Boxes for Wildlife)
Species
IM
(mm)
DC
(mm)
ED
(mm)
HG
(m)
Comments
Brushtail possum
250x250
300
100
2-4
Powerful Owl
500x500
800
200
7-15
Black Cockatoo
300x400
1200
200
8-10
Will use several sites
This is a large nest
box
Angled spout
entrance
Treecreeper
Brush-tailed
Phascogale
Squirrel Glider
150x150
350
60
3-6
150x200
300
50
3-6
150x250
300
45
3-6
2-5 boxes per colony
Top
150x150
300
30
3-6
2-5 boxes per colony
Feathertail Glider
Bottom
150x20
30 hole
Bat design
3-5
Bottom opening
400
Microbat
20 slot
box
Key: IM = Inside measurement; DC = Depth of chamber from bottom of entrance hole;
ED = Entrance diameter; HG = Height above ground
What do I use to construct a nest box?
Nest boxes are generally constructed of durable timber in a variety of sizes to suit a range of possible
native wildlife. The best materials for construction are either 30mm thick plantation pine or structural or
external pine plywood. Rough-sawn or even second hand timber is ideal; although you must make sure it
is free of nails and paint.
Leave tree hollows and fallen timber in bushland areas.
If a hollow exists, wildlife are probably already using it.
Nest boxes should contain small drainage holes at the base and 20-30mm of hardwood sawdust placed
in the box. Nesting material is not required as this will be brought in by the fauna using the nest box.
Do not paint the inside of the nest box.
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How and where do I install the nest box?
Nest boxes should only be installed in trees by a professional arborist
who can ensure that the nest box is installed in a manner that does not
affect the health of the tree. The most common way of installation is by
using the Habisure system (shown in the picture).
Nest boxes should be installed high up in the tree to reduce the chances
of predation of occupying fauna by cats and goannas. Choose your nest
box position carefully. Remember to position the box so that you can see
it and enjoy the activities of its tenants. Most directions except due west
are fine, as long as you take into account your particular location. For
example, if you get particularly bad storms from one direction, try to face
the box away from that aspect. Also consider facing the entrance away
from prevailing winds, and make sure that the box will have plenty of
shade during the hottest part of the day.
Feeding native wildlife is not a good idea.
Once your new nest box is occupied, please resist feeding. Feeding wildlife fosters familiarity with
humans and domestic animals. Feeding wildlife encourages a dependency on
an artificial food source, which will stop if you go on holiday, get sick, or move
away. And lastly, your feeding routine is soon 'sussed out' by local cats and
dogs.
What maintenance is required for a nest box?
Once you have installed your nest box very little maintenance is required.
Once a year, have a quick look to see if any repairs are required and make
sure that the box is still securely fastened to the tree. Nest boxes if constructed
properly can last around 10 years.
Some introduced birds such as Sparrows, Starlings, and Mynas have become
a menace; driving native wildlife away, or even building their own nests on top
of existing eggs or young. The introduced honeybee has also become a serious problem in some areas.
Install a nest box on your own property and enjoy watching the wildlife coming to visit.
How do I go about monitoring and reporting what comes to visit?
Monitoring is simple and pleasurable part of owning a nest box. If the box is mounted where it can be easily
observed, you can regularly check it, from a distance, to see which species may be inspecting it as a potential
home. Please report your sightings on council’s native species sighting form.
References and further reading
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Franks A and Franks S (2007) Nest Boxes for Wildlife: a practical guide.
Council’s Land for Wildlife program
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