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When a substitute home is better than no home

When a substitute home is better than no home

Some 300 Australian species rely on tree hollows – but humans are increasingly needed to provide the vital habitat in their own garden spaces.

THE NATIVE SPECIES wildlife nestbox project aims to provide substitute ‘hollow’ homes for species living at Munibung Hill that are finding it hard to locate a suitable nesting, breeding and raising of young, house, in the face of declining veteran trees.

When the boxes are installed, the location of each box has its own specific identifier. Data logging observations and documenting native species occupancy is part of this citizen science project in association with partner groups.

We are part of a larger whole engaged in providing housing for vulnerable species that may otherwise go homeless, adding to the decline of local populations and local extinctions.

Stories such as the one following, emphasise the need for us to be active in giving back to the natural world, that freely gives so much for us.

In: Aussies urged to make simple garden feature after ‘amazing’ discovery in backyard, Nick Whigham, News Editor (Yahoo, November 24, 2024) reports that …

Due to the growing rate of habitat loss in Australia, hundreds of native species are increasingly reliant on a helping human hand when it comes to a critical part of their life. And that’s precisely what people like Dennis Fowler are providing.

A simple creation in his garden in the NSW town of Lithgow has provided a much needed space for a mother kookaburra to nest and shelter her young. And the process of observing the native bird in his backyard has led to some surprising insights into the local animal kingdom.

Sydney man proves you can bring a bush garden to an apartment

 You don’t have to have a backyard to join in the trend — as Sydney man Dan Tussie proves. The retiree moved from a farm in rural NSW to a 13th floor apartment in the city. After befriending some local lorikeets, he soon made a number of bird boxes to “give them some privacy” and what has since developed has been “remarkable”, he told Yahoo News this month.

 Since setting up multiple boxes on his apartment balcony, Dan has watched over 50 chicks be born inside them over the past four years, admitting he’s “really proud” of what he’s been able to achieve.

 “My immediate neighbour loves them and thinks it’s just phenomenal, amazing. He comes and visits and thinks it’s just such a rarity to find this situation,” he told Yahoo.

   … From MMM Issue 47, Dec 24 – Jan 25