I had the opportunity to attend the Great Eastern Ranges Conference in October 2022. Two standout speakers were Carl Tippler and Mick Callan from Habitat Innovation and Management. Based in Orange NSW, they recently developed a modular plastic moulded nest box that closely mimics a natural hollow—more effectively than any other nest box I’ve seen. It was evident that considerable thought had gone into the design of these boxes, aiming to replicate the characteristics of natural hollows that are essential for wildlife.
One such characteristic is the ability to match the microclimate provided by natural hollows. This is increasingly critical in the face of heatwaves and climate change. Known as Habitat Modular nest boxes, they are ingeniously designed with double-walled polypropylene and a timber insert to enhance insulation. These boxes not only last decades longer than traditional wooden ones but also feature a modular system that allows for customisation of box sizes, depths and entry points. This adaptability is particularly beneficial for species with specific habitat needs, such as the endangered Greater Glider.
Studies show that Greater Gliders are highly sensitive to elevated temperatures while in their dens, necessitating very specific hollow characteristics to thrive. These requirements include a hollow depth of at least one metre, an entrance size of 15cm or more and a height up a tree of at least 15 metres. Forming such a hollow naturally in a tree could take over 100 years. Greater Gliders need two to four of these specific den trees within a 2-hectare range. Moreover, they face intense competition for these scarce resources from other hollow-dependent species such as cockatoos, possums and owls. Considering their specific needs, the competition for resources, and the significant loss of these trees due to fires (both planned and unplanned), clearing, lightning strikes, natural falls, and trimming, it’s clear why Greater Gliders and many other arboreal species are under serious threat.
Merryl holding a two module nest box.
Lying in bed one night (where I do my best thinking), I devised a project to test these new nest boxes on a remarkable property nestled in the hills of Upper Brookfield, which hosts a small population of Greater Gliders. This property, known as Feathertail Nature Refuge, is protected through a Queensland Government Nature Refuge and also a Brisbane City Council Voluntary Conservation Covenant. Its varied landscapes, towering eucalypts and thriving understory create a uniquely diverse habitat, home to many species rarely found in Brisbane. The property owner, Merryl, is as extraordinary as the property itself. Her enthusiasm for the land and the flora and fauna is infectious to all who visit. Merryl has embraced the role of caretaker, much like First Nations People and the previous owners, Geoff and Rose, as she is committed to protecting and enhancing the property for future generations.
My proposal, while promising, required funding. The timing was perfect as the Queensland Government had just opened their latest round of Nature Refuge Landholder Grants. I discussed my idea with Merryl, and she quickly came on board. Merryl had successfully applied in previous rounds, having secured funding for weed control and was well-versed in the application process. After obtaining quotes for the nest boxes and installation services from qualified arborists, we submitted an application. Three months later, Merryl received fantastic news – her application was approved for the installation of eight Habitat Modular nest boxes, with a follow-up inspection scheduled for six months after installation. We opted for a mix of boxes: five with two modules and three with three modules.
It should be noted that other businesses are also producing high quality, long-lasting polyethylene nest boxes suitable for, and proven to be used by, Greater Gliders, so I encourage anyone looking to purchase nest boxes to research the growing market.
Close to 10 months after the concept was first conceived at the conference, we gathered at the property along with the arborists from Arborspec who were responsible for installing the nest boxes on our pre-selected trees. Their prior experience at installing Habitat Modular nest boxes meant that they understood our brief and what we wanted. We aimed to cover a variety of environments and chose a mix of Tallowwoods, Grey Gums, Ironbarks, and Brush Box trees located within the gully and on the eastern slope near the house where Greater Gliders had previously been spotted.
We watched in awe as the arborists adeptly used a fancy spud gun (a nod to my mischievous youth in the 90s) to launch their climbing ropes 20 to 25 metres over a tree limb. They then efficiently scaled the trees using a pulley system. This was certainly not a task for anyone with a fear of heights. Once positioned high in the branches, they hoisted up the rather heavy nest boxes, which were secured into place with a bracket screwed into the tree. Over the next eight hours the Arborspec team installed all eight boxes at heights ranging from 15 to 25 metres. Additionally, they set up three Reconyx motion-sensor fauna cameras aimed at the boxes to monitor any wildlife activity over the following months.
As part of Merryl’s in-kind support for the grant, she committed to monitoring the nest boxes and the surrounding areas by spotlighting. To her astonishment, the night after the installation, she spotted a Greater Glider inspecting one of the boxes closest to the house. Regrettably, this particular box was not equipped with a camera. A follow-up spotlighting event for other Land for Wildlife members was also organised with Matt Cecil from the Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland; although that night, only Squirrel Gliders were observed.
After a long six months, the team from Arborspec was back to inspect the boxes in February 2024. They shimmied up the trees to check each of the eight boxes. The initial boxes showed clear signs of use, though no animals were present. This dramatically changed when they reached a two-chambered box in a large Tallowwood. Unfortunately, only the arborists witnessed what happened next: after they tossed a rope over a nearby branch, out scurried a Greater Glider, which took off into the canopy of the huge Tallowwood. No further discoveries were made in the remaining boxes, yet the team was buzzing from their earlier encounter, and immediately uploaded the images from the cameras onto Merryl’s computer.
As we scrolled through the hundreds of photos, we were astonished to find images of Feathertail Gliders, Squirrel Gliders, Owlet Nightjars, Brush-tailed Phascogales, Common Brushtail Possums and a Lace Monitor, all exploring and using the three monitored nest boxes. Most exciting, however, were the photos revealing the shaggy coat and fluffy ears of a Greater Glider. Notably, the two-chambered boxes attracted more interest than the three-chambered ones.
Three species of glider were using or visiting the nest boxes on Merryl’s place – Squirrel, Feathertail and, the target species, Greater Gliders.
Given that only three of the eight boxes had cameras, it left us wondering about the potential visitors to the other five. These results, while exciting, drove home the critical need arboreal animals have for suitable hollows. We shared our success with the Nature Refuge team and Carl and Mick from Habitat Innovation and Management, who were thrilled by the results.
Our achievements have only fuelled our motivation. Merryl plans to install permanent cameras on some of the nest boxes to acquire long-term data on their use. We also aim to install more nest boxes throughout the property and are hopeful for continued collaboration with all partners involved. This project’s success is a testament to the power of collaboration between the Queensland Government, Habitat Innovation and Management, Arborspec, Brisbane City Council, and of course, Merryl.
Article by Cody Hochen
Land for Wildlife Officer
Brisbane City Council
References & Further Reading
Eyre TJ, Smith GC, Venz MF, et al (2022) Guide to greater glider habitat in Queensland. Report prepared for the Dept of Agriculture, Water and the Environment. DES, Brisbane.
Callan MN, Johnson A & Watson DM (2023) Influence of nest box design on internal microclimate: Comparisons of plastic prototypes. Austral Ecology, 00, 1–14.
Habitat Innovation and Management. www.habitatinnovation.com.au
DCCEEW (2022) Conservation advice for Petauroides volans (greater glider (southern and central), Canberra.