Many native species – birds, micro bats, etc. – need hollows for nesting. However, there is a lack of trees with suitable hollows. You can assist these species by putting up suitable nesting boxes on trees or house walls. Different species need different types of boxes.
Woodland is a favourite place for possums. Unfortunately, many possums cause damage to the native trees, especially by eating the new leaves. We suggest that you place nesting boxes on collared trees or in other places that possums cannot use them.
Following are details of a number of useful websites if you are looking to source or make nesting boxes. MEWRA cannot vouch for the information these sites offer.
Nest Box Tales[external site] This site offers advice on nest boxes and has a design booklet you can download. This is a community group that also has a Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nestboxtales[external site].
Mount Eliza Men’s Shed makes and sells nesting boxes for birds, as well as ‘insect hotels’.
https://www.latrobe.edu.au/wildlife/nesting-boxes[external site] and https://pay.latrobe.edu.au/WSeStore/menu[external site]. These are sites at La Trobe University – the second link is to their online shop.
If you have more information you would like to share with Woodland residents about nesting boxes, including other websites that offer information on this, please email us.
[this page was last updated at 4:20 pm on 28 May 2023]