Home amongst the gumtrees

The ‘loss of hollow-bearing trees’ is a key threat listed under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 with approximately 20% of native fauna species relying on tree hollows for roosting, nesting and breeding.

Earlier this month, ecologists installed 10 nest boxes into mature Eucalyptus moluccana (Grey Box) and Eucalyptus tereticornis (Forest Red Gum) trees at the West Camden WRP. The nest boxes were made from salvaged hollows from three hollow bearing trees that were felled earlier in the project.

The nest boxes were attached to trees using the Habisure System, using appropriate material that does not damage the recipient tree. A soft plastic-coated wire with a coil or spring and hosepipe is used to secure the hollow to the tree to allow the tree to grow unimpeded.

Having natural variation in hollow sizes and shapes, and with their positioning in different trees we will create a habitat for a range of native fauna including small parrots, microbats and other hollow-dwelling mammals.

The Environmental team will eagerly monitor the hollows as the project continues.