nest-box | Mount Gravatt Environment Group

July 10, 2016

Nest-box programme Fox Gully Bushcare

Posted by Mt Gravatt Environment Group under Fox Gully Bushcare, Mt Gravatt Conservation Reserve, Uncategorized | Tags: bird, Brushtail Possum Trichosurus vulpecula, Microbat, nest-box, nest-hollow, Scaly-breasted Lorikeets Trichoglossus chlorolepidotus, Southern Boobook Owl Ninox novaeseelandiae, Spotted Gum Corymbia citriodora v variegata., Squirrel Gliders Petaurus norfolcensis, Sulphur-creasted Cockatoo Cacatua galerita |
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By: Michael Fox

Kookaburra box - Fox Gully Bushcare Phase 2 - 7 July 2016

Boobook Owl box

The success of the first ten nest-boxes installed at the Fox Gully Bushcare has confirmed our research which showed the lack of suitable breeding hollows in trees.

The nest-boxes were installed in October 2012 and since then Squirrel Gliders Petaurus norfolcensis have been breeding and now two Glider families occupy five boxes. The first tenant in the boxes was a Brushtail Possum Trichosurus vulpecula in the Kookaburra box at the junction of the Geebung Track and the Farm Fire Trail. She has since raised two joeys and if you look into the box from the Geebung Track you will see her curled up asleep.

Kookaburra box - Geebung Track - 7 July 2016 lowres

Boobook box – Geebung Track

Kookaburras took over the Bookbook Owl Ninox novaeseelandiae box and have raised two clutches of chicks. Rainbow Lorikeets Trichoglossus haematodus have raised chicks in the Lorikeet/Rosella boxes.

Play spot the nest-box when you walk the Geebung Track with your kids.

What species uses what box?

Glider box - Geebung Track - 7 July 2016 lowres

Squirrel Glider or Scaly-breasted Lorikeet box

Mammals:

Micro-bats (three species identified in Reserve)

White-striped Freetail Bat Tadarida australis
Gould’s Wattled Bat Chalinolobus gouldii
Common bent-wing bat Miniopterus schreibersii oceanensis

Squirrel Glider Petaurus norfolcensis

Birds

Southern Boobook Owl Ninox novaeseelandiae
Scaly-breasted Lorikeet Trichoglossus chlorolepidotus

Micro-bat box

Also keep an eye out for birds creating nest hollows in the trees.

Sulphur-creasted Cockatoo - clearing hollow - 30 June 2016

Just last week I photographed a pair of Sulphur-creasted Cockatoo Cacatua galerita clearing out a hollow where a branch has broken from a Spotted Gum Corymbia citriodora v variegata.

June 9, 2014

Griffith Mates meet Bush Mates

Posted by Mt Gravatt Environment Group under Bushcare, Fox Gully Bushcare, Mt Gravatt Conservation Reserve, Mt Gravatt Environment Group, Wildlife of Mt Gravatt Reserve | Tags: Brown and Orange-streaked Ringlet butterflies, Brushtail Possum Trichosurus vulpecula, Fishbone/Sword Fern Nephrolepis cordifolia, Fox Gully Bushcare, FWR Group, Griffith Mates, nest-box, Ottochloa gracillima Graceful Grass, Squirrel Gliders Petaurus norfolcensis |
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Griffith Mates Team

By: Michael Fox

A beautiful autumn Saturday morning and Griffith Mates – Sienna, Ben, Lily, Abraham and Larissa joined Roger and myself at Fox Gully Bushcare site. The team removed another large area of Fishbone/Sword Fern Nephrolepis cordifolia and installed logs on the slope to create a safe work space and control erosion.

When the team from FWR Group joined our Wednesday Bushcare in September 2010 to start clearing, the Fishbone Fern covered an area larger than the average Brisbane house block – approximately 1,000 square metres. By the time the FWR team returned six months later, in March 2011, natural regeneration had already restored a good coverage of native grasses like Ottochloa gracillima Graceful Grass. This Living Mulch of native grasses controlled erosion, suppressed weed regrowth, retained moisture and provided food for caterpillars of the Brown and Orange-streaked Ringlet butterflies.

Ben reaching Glider box with GoPro camera

By the time the Griffith Mates team finished another huge area had been cleared and stabilised with logs. Restoration work on the Fishbone infested areas of Zone 8 is now almost complete and with further help from Griffith Mates we expect to finish the weed clearing this year allowing nature to take over with the natural regeneration of local grasses, herbs, ferns and vines.

To finish the morning I showed the team how we check nest boxes installed to provide substitute nest hollows for birds and gliders.

We found the Squirrel Glider family in two boxes and the female Brushtail Possum is still living in the Kookaburra box. She was quite curious about the camera, reaching up to sniff the lens. It is a particular pleasure to share this wildlife experience with young people from places like Hong Kong.

February 15, 2014

Kookaburra family drop in for a drink

Posted by Mt Gravatt Environment Group under Uncategorized | Tags: birdbath, Fox Gully Bushcare, Kookaburra Dacelo novaeguineae, Mt Gravatt Conservation Reserve, nest-box, wildlife |
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Kookaburra parents with three juveniles

By: Michael Fox

Just a few minutes ago I heard a couple of loud thumps on the large glass doors at the back of our house. On investigating I found a young (must be young to be so foolish) Kookaburra, sitting on the fence looking very shaken. It seems that flying into the glass once was not enough; it had to have a second go.

Just beyond the fence was the rest of the family sitting in the waiting tree above the bird baths. I have been refilling the bird baths twice a day this week as the dry weather drives our wildlife to look for water.

The Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae) parents hatched four chicks in the Boobook Owl nest box over Christmas. Only three chicks survived the fight for survival to become fledglings. It is good to have the family visit regularly.

18 January – three fledglings ready to leave home

December 16, 2012

Lorikeet chicks at Fox Gully and Koala near Ekibin Creek

Posted by Mt Gravatt Environment Group under Bushcare, Fox Gully Bushcare, Mt Gravatt Conservation Reserve, Wildlife of Mt Gravatt Reserve | Tags: Koala sightings, nest-box, Pale Headed Rosellas Platycercus eximius, Rainbow Lorikeet Trichoglossus haematodus |
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By: Michael Fox

The outlook for Mt Gravatt Conservation Reserve is looking good with good rain forecast through to February which will greatly enhance the habitat restoration at our Bushcare sites.

Rainbow Lorikeet chicks – click on photo to see colour of new feathers

We are also seeing positive signs with our wildlife. Two Rainbow Lorikeet Trichoglossus haematodus chicks have been hatched out in one of the nest boxes installed at the Fox Gully Bushcare site.

When we first confirmed the chicks had hatched we were not sure that they were Rainbows but one week on there is now no doubt as their colours develop. Click on the photo to enlarge.

We have also had another Koala report this week from Ramita Street near Ekibin Creek.