Nurturing nature one nesting box at a time

More than 100 nesting boxes dedicated to protecting native wildlife and other animals now provide potential shelter and homes across Sydney.

The latest phase of our program sees 62 nesting boxes installed in parks and reserves across our area as we work to increase biodiversity in the city.

“Our parks are not only the city’s lungs, but they’re also some of the last areas of habitat for native species. We want to attract more animals to Sydney’s city, and make sure the species that are here are nurtured and cared for,” Lord Mayor of Sydney Clover Moore said.

“We installed more than 40 of these nesting boxes in parks in March last year, which became homes for ringtail and common brushtail possums, and other wildlife, providing a safe space away from predators, both native and introduced.”

The City of Sydney is turning grey into green with a goal of at least 27 per cent tree canopy by 2050. Sydney is the only capital city in Australia that has consistently expanded green areas, helping to combat the urban heat island effect, while encouraging more biodiversity.

The nesting boxes vary in size and will house birdlife like yellow-tailed black cockatoos, powerful, barn and boobook owls, red rumped parrots, sacred kingfishers, spotted pardalotes, dollarbirds and ducks. The boxes also provide potential resting spaces for microbats, bar-sided skinks and native vertebrae fauna species like possums.

The latest nesting boxes have been placed in Hyde Park, Victoria Park, Prince Alfred Park, Harmony Park, Cook and Phillip Park, Orphan School Creek and Kimberly Grove Reserve.

This adds to the 43 that have been in Sydney Park, Federal Park and Blackwattle Bay since March last year.

“This program protects local biodiversity and enhances the habitat for a wide range of species who all have a role to play in the ecosystem,” City of Sydney urban ecologist, Dr James Macnamara said.

“Microbats and small birds are important for controlling insect populations. Possums help pollinate native eucalyptus trees and are a prey species for vulnerable powerful owls who help control the possum, rodent and rabbit populations.

“Biodiversity is critical for maintaining a healthy and diverse ecosystem that in the right conditions is able to thrive and provide all of their benefits to the city’s plants and animals, as well as its residents.”

The nesting boxes range in size to cater to different animal species and have entrances that protect them while they’re inside. The City of Sydney installs wooden boxes high in suitable trees with a wire that expands as the tree grows to protect the trunks.

The City of Sydney will periodically inspect the nesting boxes to document how they are being used and investigate which species have moved in.

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For interviews with Clover Moore, Lord Mayor of Sydney contact Zoe Delamare. Phone 0431 601 002 or email [email protected],gov.au