UGLN fire recovery nest-box project

Of the many who lost their homes on Black Saturday, our smallest and neediest have required as much help as others in finding and rebuilding a new home. The destruction of so many hollow-bearing trees in the 2009 fires meant the loss of sanctuary for much of our native wildlife.

In November 2009 the Upper Goulburn Landcare Network Fire Recovery Program set about providing new homes for some of our furry and feathered friends. We embarked on a project to install nest-boxes in the blackened trees, providing new artificial homes for these animals.

Kinglake Scouts building nest-boxes

We have received help from many varied groups of volunteers, including Kinglake Scouts, students from Yea High School and Greensborough Secondary College, Shepparton Mens’ Shed and Conservation Volunteers Australia.

Chris Cobern with Yea High School Students

Volunteers at Flowerdale

So far we have installed 322 nest-boxes throughout Flowerdale, Toolangi, Glenburn and Kinglake. Of the boxes installed, our monitoring has shown that approximately one third have been used by wildlife. Tenants have included many Sugar Gliders and Agile Antechinus, as well as the occasional Brush-tailed Phascogale, Common Ringtail Possum, Brush-tailed Possum, Owlet Nightjar and small insectivorous bats.

For more information phone UGLN Coordinator Chris Cobern on 5736 0104.

Ringtail Possum at Kinglake

Agile Antechinus at Flowerdale