Between 2016-2022 the Junortoun Community Action Group constructed over 200 nest boxes which have been placed in various locations in Junortoun, including along the O’Keefe Rail Trail, at Manning Reserve, Knul-doorong Reserve and Honeyeater Bushland Reserve.

The project was delivered as a partnership between the Junortoun Community Action Group students and staff of Catherine McAuley College, the Men’s Shed at Bendigo Domain Village, Landcare Victoria and the City of Greater Bendigo.

Target species

The nest boxes constructed through this project, targeted native mammal and bird species including:

• Tuans (phascogales)
• Sugar gliders
• Eastern Rosellas
• Owlet nightjars
• Pardalotes
• Microbats

Project

Natural Reserves staff of the City of Greater Bendigo erected all of the nest boxes and JCAG gratefully acknowledges their expert knowledge and their assistance that guided the number and placement of boxes. In particular, JCAG acknowledges the extra time and effort that Ami Greenfield contributed to the project.

This project commenced in 2016 and was delivered in three phases as a true community partnership.

• Phase 1 – 2016 – 2017 built and erected nest boxes along the O’Keefe Rail Trail between Knuldoorong Woodland and the Junortoun Flora and Fauna Reserve on Trotting Terrace.
• Phase 2 – 2017 – 2018 saw boxes installed between Knul-doorong Woodland and Bennetts Road.
• Phase 3 – 2019 – 2021 covered the O’Keefe Rail Trail from Cashens Road northwest across McIvor Highway to Markovich Lane.

Monitoring

Nestboxes are inspected and monitored regularly to check for usage by target species, and to identify use by pest species (honeybees, Indian mynahs).

If you identify that a nestbox is damaged, or infested by honeybees please report this to JCAG by email.

More information

For more information on the Junortoun Nestbox  Project, or to get involved, call JCAG on 0491 714 153 or email JCAG.

Acknowledgement of funding and support