NEST BOX MATERIALS & KEY DESIGN FEATURES

By Alice McGlashan

nestboxtales.com | Nest Box Tales

NestBoxMaterials&

KeyDesignFeatures

Booklet

Foranonlineversionofthisdocument,ortodownloadacopy,visit:https://nestboxtales.com/nest-box-materials/

WrittenandCompiledbyAliceMcGlashanFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/groups/nestboxtales/Website:www.nestboxtales.comSharingstoriesandknowledgeaboutnestboxesforAustraliannativeanimalstoencourageeveryonetoimprovehabitatforwildlife.GraphicdesignassistancegratefullyreceivedfromSpringwoodPrinting

NEST BOX MATERIALS & KEY DESIGN FEATURES

Compiled by Alice McGlashanFacebook: www.facebook.com/groups/nestboxtales

Website: www.nestboxtales.com

Sharing stories and knowledge about nest boxes for Australian native animals to encourage everyone to improve habitat for wildlife.

Graphic design assistance gratefully received from Springwood Printing Co

NEST BOX BOOKLET FOR SCHOOLS, MEN’S

& WOMEN’S SHEDSDesigns for hollow using species across Australia

AbitaboutmeIcompletedaBachelorDegreeofGeomaticEngineeringandScience(geology)quiteafewyearsagonow,andworkedasaGeologistandGISAnalystduringmyfirstcareer.MorerecentlyIreturnedtouniversity,completingaGraduateDiplomaofPsychology,alsoaMasterofEnvironmentalScienceandLaw,specialisinginecosystemandwildlifemanagement,biodiversitylaw,waterlaw,andclimatechangelaw.Ihaveenjoyedexploringwildernessareassinceaveryyoungage,birdwatching,frogspotting,andobservingthecomplexinteractionswithinAustralia’sdiverseecosystems.Iusedallofmy7thyearbirthdaymoneytopurchaseaSlater’sFieldGuidetoAustralianBirds.Morerecently,IpurchasedasmallregeneratingbushlandpropertynearCanberra.In2016,Iinstalledafirstbatchof15nestboxesforalltheknownlocalnativehollowusingspeciesonmyproperty,withseveralofthembecomingoccupiedalmostimmediately.Howevertherewerealsoanumberofunexplainedfailures.Afterdiscoveringthatmanyofmyquestionsaboutnestboxutilisationandpredationofoccupantsandeggscouldnotbeansweredbyexistingpublishedresearch,Ihavepurchasedaneverexpandingcollectionofwildlifecameras,temperaturerecordingThermocrons,polycarbonateplasticforpossumguards,arborist(treeclimbing)equipment,andmorenestboxes,tofigureoutthecausesofnestingfailures,andtotestdifferentstrategiestoincreasetheoccupancyofnestboxesbyspeciesthatwerestrugglingtousethemsuccessfully.Ihavesincelearntalotaboutimprovingtheoccupationratesandbirdnestingsuccessofnestboxesforthedifferentlocalnativespecies,withkeyconsiderationsdiscoveredtobethepredatorandcompetitorspecies,beddingpreferences,installationheight,andinstallationaspecttoavoidthehotafternoonsun.LatelastyearIcreatedtheNestBoxTaleswebsiteandFacebookgrouptosharewhatIhadlearnt,andtoencourageotherpeopleacrossAustraliatoinstallnestboxesforhollowusingwildlife.Install,andtheyabsolutelywillcome!

NestBoxMaterials

Whichwoodtouse?Yourchoiceofwoodmaterialsusedtoconstructanestboxwillaffecttheinsulatingproperties(thermalmass)ofanestbox,andalsodurabilityoutintheelements.Woodisafantasticinsulatorandfornestboxoccupants.Duringcoldwintermonths,anestboxmadefromthickwoodpanelswillretainthebodyheatofanoccupantandprotectagainsttheoutsidecoldtemperatures.Duringhotsummerdays,athick-wallednestboxwillprovidesomeprotectionagainstthehottestperiodsoftheday,ifinstalledoutofdirectsunlight.

Awintersnuggleofsugargliders,stayingwarmintheirthick-wallednestbox.Awell-constructedhardwoodorthickmarineplynestbox,ifpaintedwithatleasttwocoatsofagoodqualityexteriorgradepaint,willpotentiallyprovideanimalswithahomefor20-30yearsormore.Bycomparison,apine,orthinplywoodnestboxmayonlylastafewyears.

• While(untreated)hardwoodtimber(15mmormorethick)isbest(sawmilloffcutsareanoption).Howeverthisisarelativelyscarceandexpensiveresource,soisnotlikelytobeanoptionformostpeopletouse.

• Thesecondbestoptionisthickmarineply,ofatleast17mmthickness.

• Thethirdbestoptionisexteriorply,whichshouldalsobeatleast17mmthick.

• Thefinaloptionisuntreatedpinewhichisoftenreadilyavailable–frompalletsetc(useHT=heattreatedonly).Howeverjustbeawarethatnestboxesmadefrompinemaynotlastlongintheenvironment.Paintingofpinenestboxesisprettymuchessentialforthemtolastmorethan2-3years.Iwouldnotrecommendpineasanestboxmakingmaterialforareaswithhighrainfallandhumidity,andwheretermitesarerampant.Itwon’tstandachanceagainstthese!FormylocationnearCanberrathathaslowrainfall,verylowhumidity,andfewtermites,pinenestboxesoftenlastmanyyearsifpaintedwell(outsideonly).Whataboutotherwoodproducts,likeformply,chipboard,MDF,treatedpine?IfMDFisexposedtorainorwater,itwillrapidlyturntomush.Thismaterialisnotdesignedforoutdooruse.MDFwillalsoabsorbandretainurineanddroppingsevenifkeptoutoftheweather–suchasinagarageorunderyoureaves.MDFisnotanappropriatematerialtomakenestboxesfrom.Formplymay,ormaynotbemadeusingtoxicgluesthatalsoletofffumes.Thegluesmay,ormaynotbeabletowithstandbeingwet.Formplyalsohasathickblackoutersurfacewhichwouldabsorbheatandcannotbepainted.Formplyisnotrecommendedasamaterialtomakenestboxesfrom.Chipboardisnotdesignedforoutdoor,rain,hailshineuse.Itwillrapidlybreakdownandmaybebondedusinggluesthataretoxictoeat.Chipboardisnotrecommendedasamaterialtomakenestboxesfrom.Treatedpineisatimberthathasbeenpermeatedwithachemicalsolutiontopreserveitoutdoors.Itisnotsomethingthatyou’dwantyourchildmunchon,andsoisn’tappropriatetouseformakingnestboxes.Whileyournestboxmayhavearingtailpossumlabelonit,thissizeisalsopreferredbyCrimsonRosellas,potentiallyGalahsandotherparrotspeciesthatenjoymunchingonthings,especiallyiftheyareboredwhilesittingoneggs.Youreallydon’twanttopoisonanynestboxoccupants!Treatedpineisnotanappropriatematerialtomakenestboxesfrom.

• Thefinaloptionisuntreatedpinewhichisoftenreadilyavailable–frompalletsetc(useHT=heattreatedonly).Howeverjustbeawarethatnestboxesmadefrompinemaynotlastlongintheenvironment.Paintingofpinenestboxesisprettymuchessentialforthemtolastmorethan2-3years.Iwouldnotrecommendpineasanestboxmakingmaterialforareaswithhighrainfallandhumidity,andwheretermitesarerampant.Itwon’tstandachanceagainstthese!FormylocationnearCanberrathathaslowrainfall,verylowhumidity,andfewtermites,pinenestboxesoftenlastmanyyearsifpaintedwell(outsideonly).Whataboutotherwoodproducts,likeformply,chipboard,MDF,treatedpine?IfMDFisexposedtorainorwater,itwillrapidlyturntomush.Thismaterialisnotdesignedforoutdooruse.MDFwillalsoabsorbandretainurineanddroppingsevenifkeptoutoftheweather–suchasinagarageorunderyoureaves.MDFisnotanappropriatematerialtomakenestboxesfrom.Formplymay,ormaynotbemadeusingtoxicgluesthatalsoletofffumes.Thegluesmay,ormaynotbeabletowithstandbeingwet.Formplyalsohasathickblackoutersurfacewhichwouldabsorbheatandcannotbepainted.Formplyisnotrecommendedasamaterialtomakenestboxesfrom.Chipboardisnotdesignedforoutdoor,rain,hailshineuse.Itwillrapidlybreakdownandmaybebondedusinggluesthataretoxictoeat.Chipboardisnotrecommendedasamaterialtomakenestboxesfrom.Treatedpineisatimberthathasbeenpermeatedwithachemicalsolutiontopreserveitoutdoors.Itisnotsomethingthatyou’dwantyourchildmunchon,andsoisn’tappropriatetouseformakingnestboxes.Whileyournestboxmayhavearingtailpossumlabelonit,thissizeisalsopreferredbyCrimsonRosellas,potentiallyGalahsandotherparrotspeciesthatenjoymunchingonthings,especiallyiftheyareboredwhilesittingoneggs.Youreallydon’twanttopoisonanynestboxoccupants!Treatedpineisnotanappropriatematerialtomakenestboxesfrom.

Increasingthedurabilityofnestboxes–topaintoroil?Thekeyquestionhereis:Wouldyoulikeyournestboxtolast1-10years,or20+years?Itisveryimportantthatanycoatingputonyournestboxisnottoxic.Pleasedonotvarnishnestboxes,orpaintthemwithoilbasedpaints,oruseothertreatmentsthatyouwouldnotwanttoeat.Notreatmentshouldbeappliedtotheinteriorofnestboxes.Occupantsaremorelikelytoconsumeorbeexposedtothefumesofanyinternaltreatments.Treattheoutsidesurfacesofanestboxonly!Notreatmentshouldbeappliedtotheinteriorofnestboxes.Occupantsaremorelikelytoconsumeorbeexposedtothefumesofanyinternaltreatments.Treatingtheinsideofanestboxisalsounnecessary,asitisprotectedfromtheweatherandwillstayinarelativelypristinecondition,dependingonhowmessytheoccupantsare!

Thirdyearofusebymyresidentkookaburrafamily.Notethegoodconditionoftheinsideofthenestbox,despitethegrosskooka-chickpooplayeratthebottom.Don’tworry,maggotsarethenestboxvacuumcleanersbyconsumingthisgoop,growingwingsandflyingaway!Externalnestboxsurfacespaintedwithanoutdoorgradewater-basedpaintPaintingtheexteriorofyournestboxwithawater-basedundercoat,andagoodqualitywater-basedexteriorpaint(2+coats),suchasDuluxWeathershieldwillextendthelifeofyournestboxbyacoupleofdecadesatleast.

Doensurethatthecutedgesofyourplywoodandtimbernestboxesarethoroughlycoated,soyoucan'tseethewoodbeneath.Beforepaintingsandalledgesandaroundtheopeningofthenestboxtoremovesharpedges.Alightsandbetweencoatsalsohelpsthepaintadheretothetimberorplywood.Pleaseusepalecolours,asthiswillpreventthenestboxfromabsorbingheatfromthesunduringwarmweather.Darkcoloured,hotnestboxescanbedeadlyforcreaturesthatcannotescape,suchaschicksandunhatchedeggs.

Anestboxpaintedtomatchthecoloursofthescribblygumtreesonmyproperty.Alsopleasechoosecolour/sthatblendintothehabitatwherethenestboxwillbeinstalled.Thiswillreducetheriskthatthenestboxwillbediscoveredbyapredatoroftheoccupants.Birdsprefertonestindiscrete,secretlocations,sothecoloursofyournestboxshouldemulatethis.

Feelfreetohavesomefunwithpaintingyournestboxesinbushlandcolours!Ihadsomefunwiththislargerparrotnestbox.

Sugarglidersandsmallpossumsalsoareatriskofbeingsnacksforbiggerdaytimeandnighttimepredators,andsowillbenefitfromanestboxthatisinvisiblefromhungryeyes.Forbushfirezones,someimaginationwillberequired–imaginewhatthevegetationwilllooklikeonceitregrows–paleashgreyisanoption,itblendsinwiththeskytoo.Blackisnotasuitablechoiceofcolourtopaintanestbox,giventheabilitytoabsorbheatduringhotsummerdaysandpotentiallycookoccupants.Externalnestboxsurfacetreatmentwithanon-toxicoilAsecondtreatmentoptionfornestboxes,isanon-toxicoilsuchaslinseedoil.Howeverintheelements,theprotectivebenefitsoftheoilforthewoodwillonlylastfor1-3years,afterwhichanewcoatwillneedtobeapplied,orthenestboxrapidlybegintodegrade.

AWoodDuckcheckingoutoneofmyfor-WoodDucknestboxescoatedinlinseedoil.Unlessyouareinstallingyournestboxathomeandarewillingtoreapplytheoiltreatmenteverycoupleofyears,Iwouldrecommendpaintinginsteadofoilinganestbox.Nestboxesareavaluableresourcefornativeanimalsthatusethem,haveusedexpensivewoodandmetalmaterials,andsomeone’stimetoconstruct.IncreasingthelengthoftimethatanestboxwillsurviveinanecosystemIbelieve,isanimportanttaskforthenestboxmaker,orthenestboxinstallertocomplete.

NestboxbitsandpiecesNails,screwsorstaples?Galvanisedorstainlesssteelscrewsarerecommendedovernailsorstaples.Ofthegreatestimportance,istousematerialsthatwillnotrustwithtime.Theremaybesaltintheairincoastallocations,orhighrainfall.Youreallydon’twanttherustingofascrewtocausethefailureofanotherwisestructurallysoundnestbox.Drainageholesovercreative“weatherproofing”Naturaltreehollowsoftendon’tkeepoccupants100%dryduringbigstorms.Howeverthemuchloved,andsuccessfulhollowhomeswillenableanymoistureenteringtodrainandsonotcausingfloodingorfoulingofbedding.Adeathtrapofahollowwouldbeonethatdoesn’tpermitwatertodrain,floodinganyoccupantsthatcannotescapesuchaschicks,duringverywetconditions.Justassumethatyournestboxmayletsomemoistureinduringacrazybigstorm.That’squiteOK!Howevertoeffectivelydrainthiswaterout,anestboxneedstohavedrainageholesateachofthefourcorners.Thisissothatwatercanescape,nomatterifthenestboxisinstalledleaningforwards,backwards,angledtotheleftortotheright.Thelidneedsahinge(nicetohave,notessential)Stainlesssteelorbrasshingesarerecommended,asthesewilllastformanyyearsoutdoors.Asforthesize,ifyouaren’tsure,justshowyourlocalhardwarestorethetimberyouareintendingtouse,andtheywillhappilyadviseyouonwhatsizehingetouse.

Astainlesssteelhingepurchasedfromahardwarestore.

Howeverifyoucan’taffordtopurchasehinges,thenattachthelidofthenestboxtothebodywithgoodqualitygalvanisedorstainlesssteelscrews,sothatthesecanbe(relatively)easilyremovedifsomeoneneedstogainaccesstothenestbox.Pleasedon’tuseothermaterialsassubstitutehinges,suchasleather,biketyres,orothermaterials,astheseareunlikelytosurviveintactfor15-30yearsinUV,rain,orwithstandacuriousparrot’schomping.Theweakestpartofthenestboxisusuallythelid/hinge.Ifthenestboxlidcomesajarorfallsoff,thenestboxwillfailinitsabilitytoprovidesheltertowildlife.Whyisitnicetohavealidthatcanopen?It’sprettymuchimpossibletocleanoutagrottynestboxwithasmallentrance–thatonecan’tfittheirhandinto-orremoveferalspeciessuchasEuropeanhoneybees.I’vescrapedtwo-inch-deepCrimsonRosellachickpoopoutofmysmall-entrancedrosellanestboxes,whichwouldhavebeenprettydifficulttodoiftheliddidnotopen.Alidthatwon’topenalsoseverelylimitstheabilitytomonitoranestbox–whichoccupantsarethere,arethereanyeggshellfragments,whattypesofbeddingisinside?Alatchtokeeplargerpredatorsout(nicetohave)Predatorssuchasbrushtailpossums(whicheateggs,chicks,killsmall-largebirds)andfreerangingcatsarequiteabletopushopennestboxlidstogainaccesstoatastynestboxsnack.

Oneofthesugarglidernestboxesonmyproperty,withalatchtokeepbrushtailpossumsout.Mostpredatorindividualswon'tdiscoverthattheycanopennestboxlids,howeverthiscanbeaproblem.Addingasimplelatchthatpreventsthenestboxlidfrombeingliftedup,isagoodsolution.Screwinginaneyeletonthefrontleftorrightsideofthelid,andbelowonthesidewall,andaddingasmallloopoftwistedwireisoneoption,oraddingasmallscrewinlatchisanother.

Nestboxaccess

Asmooth-surfacednestboxcanbeverydifficultforanimalstoaccessorexitfromtheinsidewithoutaddingsomekindgrip-ableladder.Oldernestboxdesignsandacoupleofcurrentdesignssuggestusingwiremesh.Don’tuse:WiremeshWiremeshcanbeproblematic,withsmallfeetofchicksandbirdsparticularlyatriskofbeingtrapped,damagedandatworst,unabletobefreed,causingaslowandquitehorribledeath.However,ifyou'vealreadymadenestboxeswithwiremeshadded,don'tstress.Theywillstillbeabletobeusedastheriskisverylow.It'sjustbestnottohaveallnestboxesinstalledouttherewithwiremeshattached!

Aselectionofgrip-ableaccessoptionsfornestboxes.Notethenestboxwiththestickalsohastheparallelcutsinthewoodalso,incasethestickbreaksofforischompedoffbyaparrot.Option1:ParallelsaworchiselcutsinsideandoutsideoffrontpanelTwoverydurableoptionsexist,whichincludemakingshallowparallelcutsinthefrontpanelofthenestboxbelowtheentrancehole,bothontheinsideandoutsideface.Thiscanbedonewithapowersaw,ahandsaw,orevenachisel.Don’tstressaboutthesebeingneatandsymmetrical!Messyandunevenisfine.Whenwasthelasttimeyousawasymmetricaltreehollow?

Notetheinternalclimbingladderforthissugargliderfamilytoexittheirnestbox.Option2:Screwinlong,thinpiece/softimberinsideandoutsideoffrontpanelThesecondoptionistoaddstrongparallelthincutpiecesofwoodtotheoutsideandinsideofnestboxesbelowtheaccesshole.

Image and nest boxes by Philip Dubbin, a good example of adding strips of wood as a climbing ladder, instead of the parallel saw or chisel cuts.

ImageandnestboxbyJennyBigelow.Internalclimbingladdermadefromcutstripsoftimber,securelyscrewedontothefrontwallofthenestboxbelowtheentrance.Optionaladdition:attachastickperchtonestboxfrontAddingagood-sizedstickbelowtheentranceholeisadvisedforbrushtailpossumnestboxes.However,thisshouldbeaddedinadditiontotheabovetwooptions.Thisisbecauseastickmaybechewedoffbyacuriousparrot,leavingthenestboxwithnogrip-ableaccesstotheentrancehollow.

Notethatthisnestboxwithanaddedstickalsohastheparallelsawcutladderinaddition.Itislikelythatthisstickwillnotsurviveaslongasthenestboxitselfwill,whenusedbyallsortsofnativeanimals.Someofwhicharequitedestructive!Forbirdnestboxes,Iwouldrecommendnotaddingthestick,asthiswillmakeaccesseasierforpossumspeciesthatarepredators(e.g.brushtails,sugargliders),orcompetitorsfornestinghollows(e.g.ringtails,brushtails).

Nestboxentrances:sizematters!Butprobablynotinthewayyou’dexpect.Inexpensiveniftypiecesofkitcalledholesawsthatattachtopowerdrillsareusedtomakecircularholesofavarietysizesintimber.Yougenerallypurchasetheminapack,thatincludesseveralsizes.Asyoucanseefromtheaboveimageofthebrushtailpossumattackingasittingwoodduck,predationisanissuefornestboxoccupants.Competitionisanotherproblem,wherealargeanimalwillforceasmalleranimaloutofahollowhome.Itisamisconceptionthatalargerentrancewillenableagreaternumberofspeciestouseanestbox.Actually,thereverseisprobablytrue.Ifabrushtailpossumcanaccessatreehollowornestbox,thenonlythosespeciesofasimilarsize(thatcan’tfitintosmallerhollows)willtendtousethehollow.

Theoccupantsofthistreecreepernestboxaresafefromthishungrybrushtailpossum.InAustralianecosystems,thereisagreaternumberofspeciesandindividualanimalsthataresmalltomedium,thanarelarge.Thesameistruefornaturallyoccurringtreehollows.Smalltreehollowstakefeweryearstoform,andsoaremorenumerousthanmedium,largetree,andmassivetreehollows.Whenmakingandinstallingnestboxestosupportecosystemrecoveryafteracatastrophiceventcausingthesignificantlossoftreehollows,orwithinregeneratinghabitatwithfewnaturallyoccurringtreehollows(yet),itisreallyimportanttoinstallnestboxesoftheratioofsizesthatwouldnaturallyoccurinanold-growthecosystem.Pleasemakeandinstallaratioof10small+mediumnestboxes,forevery1largenestbox(10:1).Tinytosmallentrances(25-50mm)

Manysmallbrownundergrowthandtree-topbirdsusetinytreehollowstonest,whichprovideprotectionagainststorms,andfrompredationbysugargliders(tinyhollows),brushtailpossums,kookaburras,goannasandowls.

CanyouseemotherTreecreeper?Sheissittingontwotinyeggsinsidethislittlenestbox.Smallbirdsalsocan’tcompetefortreehollowsthatlargernon-predatoranimalscanaccess.Theselittlebirdsprovidevaluableecosystemservicesbyreducingthesap-suckinginsectburdenontrees.Smallbirdsareverylowonthefoodchainandareenjoyedastastysnacksbymanyanimals–andsoprovideavaluablefoodsourcewithinabalancedecosystem.

ThisentranceholeistoosmallforaCrimsonRosella,sothesmalloccupantsaresafefrombeingevicted.Therearealsoanumberofverysmallmammals–antechinus,pygmypossumsandglidersthatneedtreehollowswithtinytosmallentrancediameterstostaysafefromowlsandbrushtailpossums.Thereisprettymuchacompleteoverlapbetweenthesmallbirdandmammalnestboxdimensionsandentrancesizes,suchthatanestboxofatreecreeperdesignisjustaslikelytobeoccupiedbyasugarorsquirrelglider–asIhavefoundonmyproperty.Mediumentrancediameters(60-90mm)Mediumsizedbirdssuchasthemanydifferentparrotspeciesincludinglorikeetsandrosellas,willonlynestintreehollows.Theyarealsoverysusceptibletopredation–motherbirdssittingonnests,eggsandchicks.

Aperfectfitforthiseasternrosella.Thisentrancesizepreventsraidsbykookaburras,currawongs,andbrushtailpossums.Shesuccessfullyraisedthreechicksinthisnestboxlastyear.Thedifferentparrotspeciescompetewitheachotheralsofornestinghollows,oftenwiththelargerspecieswinningoverasmallerspecies.Installingnestboxeswiththeexactrecommendeddiameterforeachspecieswillassisteachofthelocallyoccurringspeciestosecureasafeplacetonest(60mm,65mm,70mm,75mm,80mm,85mm).RingtailpossumswillusethesameentrancesizeasforCrimsonRosellasbutcan’tfitintoslightlysmallerentrancesforEasternRosellasandlorikeets.Largeentrancediameters(100mm+)Largertreehollowsareoccupiedbyowls,brushtailpossums,ducks,largerparrots,Kookaburrasandlargergliderspecies.Howeverwithinanecosystem,thesearefewerinnumberthanarethemediumtosmallerspecies.

ThisnestboxisdesignedforBlackCockatoos,howevermyresidentWoodDucks,andBrushtailPossumsalsolikethissize.

Treeinstallationmaterials

Now,thereareafewdifferentoptionsforattachinganestboxtoatree.MypreferredoptionistheHabisuresystem(andvariations)byHollowLogHomes,asthisdoesnoharmtothetree,isverydurable,andmakesinstallationacinch.However,thematerialsforthisandsimilarvariationsaremoreexpensivethanalternatives,andsomaybenotanoptionforsomeseekingtoinstallnestboxes.That’sunderstandable!Treeinstallationoption1TheHabisuresystemisasinglepieceofplasticcoated3.15-3.5mmgalvanisedwire,thatgoesthroughholesrightatthebackofthetwosidepanelsofthenestbox.Thewireisbenttoazigzagshapeforthefirst20-30cm,andthenrunsstraightafter.Oneendhasaloop,theotherislongerwithastraightendthatgoesaroundthetreeandthroughtheloop.Onevariationhasapieceofgardenhoseonthepartthathangsoffthetree–thiswouldbeagoodoptionifplainfencingwire(notplasticcoated)weretobeused.Thezigzagshapeallowsforthegrowthofthetree,sothenestboxstayssecure,butthewiredoesnotstranglethetreeasitgrows.

Tree installation materials

Now, there are a few different options for attaching a nest box to a tree. My preferred option is the Habisure system (and variations) by Hollow Log Homes, as this does no harm to the tree, is very durable, and makes installation a cinch. However the materials for this and similar variations are more expensive than alternatives, and so may be not an option for some seeking to install nest boxes. That’s understandable! The Habisure System (Nest Boxes for Wildlife, by Alan and Stacey Franks) The Habisure system is a single piece of plastic coated 3.15-3.5mm galvanised wire (fencing wire is an alternative option), that goes through holes right at the back of the two side panels of the nest box. The wire is bent to a zigzag shape for the first 20-30cm, and then runs straight after. One end has a loop, the other is longer with a straight end that goes around the tree and through the loop. One variation has a piece of garden hose on the part that hangs off the tree – this would be a good option if plain fencing wire (not plastic coated) were to be used. The zig-zag shape allows for the growth of the tree, so the nest box stays secure, but prevents the wire from strangling the tree as it grows.

CrimsonRosellachicksontheirbeddingofshredded(bymum)woodshavings.Naturaltreehollowsgenerallyhaveanice,cushionedlayerofdecomposingwood,whichparrotswilladdtobyshreddingthewoodinsidehollowstomaketheirbedding.Douse:Sawdust,woodshavings,untreatedfinewoodorbarkchipNestingboxeshoweverprovidenosuchbenefits,andhaveaveryhard,woodenfloor.Beddingofsawdust,woodshavings(e.g.forpets),untreatedfinewoodchiporpinebarkmakefantasticbeddingfornestboxes.Fordepth,about5cm,ortwoinchesisappreciatedbysomespecies,andwillbereducedtosuitpreferencesiftoodeepbyotherspecies.Don’tuse:Straw,sugarcanemulchPleasedon’tusebeddingsuchasstraworsugarcanemulch,astheseprovideverygoodhomesforparasitessuchaslice,mitesandvariousbloodsuckingcritters–aspoultrybreederssuchasmyselfwellknow.Sugarcanemulchandstrawbecomemouldyandfowlifexposedtomoisture,includingfromprecipitation,oraccumulationofchickdroppings.Chemicalfreewoodproductssuchaswoodshavings,finepinebarkorwoodchipdonothavetheseissues.

WoodDuckeggsonabeddingofwoodshavings,motherduckhasnotyetbeguntosit.

FeralpestexclusionmethodsEuropeanbeeexclusionUrbanandperiurbanlocationsareatagreaterriskofnestboxesbeinginvadedbyferalbeesthanwithinareasofnativehabitat.Ifyouareworriedaboutbees,ortherearestoriescirculatingaboutferalbeesinvadingnestboxesinstalledinthearea,thefollowingmethodmaybeworthapplyingtonestboxesbeforetheyareinstalled.

ImagebySharonGwynne–addedtoanestboxafteranearbynestboxwasinvadedbybees.Twoweekslater,aCrimsonRosellafamilymovedin!Cutandattachapieceofcarpettotheinsideofthenestboxlid–sothatthelidstillclosescompletely.Thecarpetneedstohaveunloopedpile,andnotbemarinegrade.Beescan’tattachtheirwaxtothecarpet,andsowon’tbothertoinvadethenestbox.Simple!Anti-mynabaffleIndianmynasareapestbirdspeciesthatlivesinurbanandperiurbanenvironments.IfyouareawareoftherebeingalargeIndianmynapopulationintheareawherenestboxesaretobeinstalled,youmaywishtoaddananti-mynabaffletopreventthemfromusingthenestbox.Alternatively,youcouldmonitorthenestbox,andinstalltheanti-mynabaffleifthenestboxisinvadedbymynas.

Thedistancethatthebaffleisplacedinfrontofthenestboxshouldbethesameasthediameteroftheentrancehole.ThisdesignisbyBirdLifeAustralia.WrittenandcompiledbyAliceMcGlashanFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/groups/nestboxtales/Website:www.nestboxtales.comSharingstoriesandknowledgeaboutnestboxesforAustraliannativeanimalstoencourageeveryonetoimprovehabitatforwildlife.

By Alice McGlashan

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