120

120 is the approximate number of Australia’s bird species, (17%) that use tree hollows for roosting or breeding. Add in the 42% of our mammals and 28% of our reptiles that also use holes or crevices in trees and it is not hard to see that tree hollows are an essential resource for our native wildlife. (At least 15 species of Drouin’s urban bird species like to use tree hollows)

Rainbow Lorikeets are strictly hollow-nesters

Land clearing and urbanization, our penchant for ‘cleaning up untidy trees’, and totally removing dead trees has meant that much of our wildlife finds it harder and harder to find suitable hollows. Add in the fact that many trees need to be hundreds of years old before they develop hollows and it is obvious that the humble yet essential tree hollow is an increasingly scarce resource.

Fortunately, many species of birds, mammals and reptiles will adapt to artificial hollows – ‘nest boxes’ and there are numerous web sites that provide designs for constructing and erecting them.

Ring-tailed Possums quickly adapt to artificial hoolows

Eastern Rosella emerging from a nest box

The Friends of Drouin’s Trees has been engaged in a box construction program recently and this week, with the support of the Baw Baw Shire, (thanks Gary), and the expertise of GippyTree Services, (great work Luke and crew), eight bird boxes were erected in trees in Binbeal Rd.

FoDT's Rob and Keith with Luke from Gippy Tree Services

Parrot and pardalote boxes waiting to be erected

The boxes will be monitored, and with luck, over the next few months, we may see some parrots, kookaburras or pardalotes moving in to their new abodes.

Friends of Drouin’s Trees welcomes any bird observations from interested members of the public, (friendsofdrouinstreesATgmailDOTcom).