Cassilis Inspire Biodiversity Project Nest Boxes
Filling the gap for our native species in the Upper Hunter
Region Landcare Network has provided funding through a partnership with HLLS for construction of nest boxes for endangered birds, small mammals and microbats displaced by the fire.
Murrurrundi, Merriwa, Denman Men’s Sheds have together constructed 150 nest boxes for species including the Eastern rosella, Red rump parrot, Kookaburra, Pacific black duck, Ringtail possum, Owlet Nightjar, Tree creeper, Pardalote, Grey shrike thrush, Barn owl, Brushtail possum, sugar glider, Squirrel glider, and microbat species.
Background:
After the devastating 2017 Merriwa St Ivan Bush Fire, Merriwa Landcare Group held a forum to inspire local support for a sustainable recovery at Cassilis resulting in the Inspire Farm Biodiversity Project. The project involves revegetation with local native tubestock on fire affected properties and installation of nest boxes in remaining trees to replace the mature hollow bearing species that were lost. Many volunteer groups and individuals have come forward to help with the project.
The Landcare team visited each property to assess soil type and conditions and prepared Re-vegetation Plans with optimal site preparation and species selection. Cressfield stud near Scone has voluntarily grown trees from supplied seed for the Cassilis area.
Over 8000 trees, shrubs, herbs, lilies and grasses have been grown and will be distributed across seven properties. Merriwa Landcare Group’s revegetation project has been funded by Hunter Local Land Services through the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme.