Help us monitor nest box use in Warrumbungle National Park

About the nest boxes

The nest box project was initiated in 2013 in an effort to provide habitat for birds and tree dwelling mammals within fire affected areas of Warrumbungle National Park as it slowly recovers from the 2013 bushfires. It is hoped that the nest boxes, located along the major watercourses within the Park, will help rangers address the loss of a tree hollows that provide critically important nesting habitat for variety of tree-hollow dependent animals including parrots, cockatoos, gliders, possums, and bats.

With the recovery of the vegetation since the fire, important habitat for many animal species is returning to the National Park, however, the tree hollows will take many years to be replenished. Providing nest boxes is a means of addressing the loss of tree hollows in the short to medium term.

The community has already taken a great interest in the nest box project, with donations received from Coonabarabran organisations: Rotary, The Men's Shed, the local art group, and the bushwalking club to help fund their construction. The boxes were manufactured locally and eager volunteers from The Men's Shed assembled them. In total, about 400 nest boxes of different sizes have been constructed. Over the last few months since their installation park visitors have been noticing some interest in the nest boxes by local wildlife.

Spot snap and play

We are now seeking help from the public to monitor which nest boxes in the park are being used and what species are using them.

Each nest box is numbered and vary in size, position and location. We have set up quests as a way to involve the community and Warrumbungle's park visitors to help us collect this valuable data. All sightings go into the Atlas of Living Australia's Biological Data Recording System and will be added to our database of recorded species sightings in the Park.

To get started:

1. If you're planning a trip to Warrumbungle National Park join in the survey by downloading the free Questagame app on either an Android or IOS
2. When you're in the Warrumbungle National Park click on Quests (search or scroll for the Warrumbungle nest box quests)
3. Choose a nest box quest to join
4. Follow the quest trail to locate nest boxes
5. Upload any sightings

Nest boxes being installed

Nest box installation (Photo by Jacki Roberts , OEH)	Nest box installation (Photo by Jacki Roberts , OEH)
Nest box installation (Photo by Jacki Roberts , OEH)	Nest box located near the Visitor Centre (Photo by Michael Grace)
Nest box located near the Visitor Centre (Photo by Erin Roger, OEH)	Nest box located near the Visitor Centre (Photo by Erin Roger, OEH)
Nest box located near the Visitor Centre (Photo by Erin Roger, OEH)	NPWS staff monitoring nest box use (Photo by by Karen Hudson OEH)

Watch a video of a ring-tailed possum using a nest box taken by NPWS ranger Karen Hudson