Council Hollows and Nest Box program
Nest boxes and artificial tree hollows for the regions native fauna are being installed across the Yarra Ranges.
Following the June 2021 storm, many native wildlife lost their homes because of tree and canopy loss.
It’s estimated that over 25,000 trees fell within the Yarra Ranges municipality during the 2021 June storm and that some of those trees housed valuable tree hollows.
As tree hollows are an increasingly scarce and a valuable resource, Council is working to support vulnerable species that rely on hollows for nesting and breeding.
In August, qualified arborists were engaged to install a variety of artificial hollows and nest boxes under the guidance of Council staff across the municipality.
In the long term, these nest boxes and hollows will be monitored by environmental volunteer groups and university students to collect valuable data, which will be used to improve future nest box projects and provide information on particular species.
This video will provide more information on the combination of hollows that Council is using to create more homes for wildlife in the Yarra Ranges municipality.
Volunteering
Council aims to also create opportunities for: TAFE/University students, local environment groups and residents to be involved in annual monitoring while also creating more awareness of the significance of hollows.
It is planned that these nest boxes and hollows will be monitored to collect valuable data, which will be used to improve future habitat provisions provide information for particular species.
If you are interested in volunteering in this program, please email: h.grant@yarraranges.vic.gov.au or click on the link below:
Community Observations
Have you seen an animal using a hollow or nest box in one of Council’s reserves?
Council are installing nest boxes and artificial tree hollows in areas across the Yarra Ranges. The aim of the project is to successfully provide habitat to animals, particularly in storm affected areas. Additionally, we are learning which nest boxes or hollows are preferred and which animals are using them.
If you are out in Yarra Ranges reserves don’t forget to look up, you never know what you might see. If you can take photos of your observations e.g., photos of the animals, the hollow or nest box, the tree itself and any other identifying features, this is very helpful. Co-ordinates of the location can also be extremely helpful and can be easily found by dropping a pin on google maps.
If you have seen an animal occupying or investigating a hollow or nest box in a Council reserve, please fill out the form below.
Click here to view form.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of nest boxes or hollows are being used?
A combination of next boxes and artificial hollows will be used to create more homes for wildlife in the Yarra Ranges municipality and each type has certain characteristics that make them applicable for certain species:
1. Traditional Nest box: these are traditional type pine boxes which are attached to trees and are useful in providing supplementary habitat, particularly in suburban areas, where older trees are lacking.
2. The Hollow hog: this type of hollow requires arborists to drill a small hole the size of a finger into the tree by using a uniquely designed drill head which does not damage the long-term health of the tree. This type of hollow mimics a natural hollow and harnesses the thermal and microbial properties of the tree.
3. Habitech hollow: Habitech nest boxes are 3D printed and completely modular, with a stackable design and multiple entry configurations to suit a range of species great and small, delivering the diversity of nature. These are best suited for birds and gliders.
4. Log hollow: a log hollow is a storm log that has been repurposed. Using the same device as the 'hollow hog' the arborist carves a hollow into the log and then the logs are securely installed into a tree.
Why do we need these nest boxes and hollows?
Many of our regions wildlife species rely on tree hollows for roost and nest sites. This includes possums, Kreft's Glider, parrots, microbats, phascogales and owls.
Natural tree hollows can take upwards of 100 years to form. It’s estimated that over 25,000 trees fell within the Yarra Ranges municipality during the 2021 June storm. Sadly some of those trees housed valuable tree hollows.
DECCA and Council are committed to restoring those hollow bearing trees that were lost from the storm and responsibly recreating essential habitat for some of our key and iconic wildlife.
What species will use these nest boxes and hollows?
There are over 30 local native species that rely on hollows for breeding and nesting.
In particular, extra focus has been placed on providing hollows suitable for the threatened Gang Gang Cockatoo, Kreft's Gliders and rosellas.
Who will monitor the nest boxes and hollows for progress?
In the long term, it is planned that these nest boxes will be monitored by environmental volunteer groups to collect valuable data, which will be used to improve future nest box projects and provide information on particular species.
Council aims to also create opportunities for: TAFE/University students, local environmental groups and residents to be involved in annual monitoring while also creating more awareness of the significance of hollows.
How many nest boxes and hollows are there?
96 nest boxes or artificial hollows will be installed across the Yarra Ranges.
How can I volunteer to monitor the nest boxes and hollows?
In the long term, it is planned that these nest boxes will be monitored by environmental volunteer groups and to collect valuable data, which will be used to improve future nest box projects and provide information on particular species.
Council aims to also create opportunities for: TAFE/University students, local environmental groups and residents to be involved in annual monitoring while also creating more awareness of the significance of hollows.
If you are interested in volunteering in this program, please email: h.grant@yarraranges.vic.gov.au.