MURRINDINDI SHIRE, VIC. — Shire residents are being encouraged to look a little closer at the birds in their backyards and discover simple ways to support local birdlife.
Bird habitat, nest boxes and citizen science were among the topics explored at Council’s Love Your Local Birds event last Tuesday, October 20.
Guest speaker Ron Litjens presented From Twigs to Nest Boxes: The Amazing World of Bird Homes, sharing practical information about the places birds call home and how people can help provide suitable habitat.
Participants in Alexandra, Kinglake, Yea and online heard about the importance of tree hollows, with approximately 17 per cent of Australian bird species relying on hollows for nesting and shelter.
The presentation also explored the impact of the January 2026 fires on the local birdlife. More than half the old trees with hollows were destroyed, with the loss of thousands of tree hollows reducing nesting and shelter options for species that depend on them.
Many of these trees were along our roadsides, which contain some of the last remaining sections of habitat. Birds are gradually returning as vegetation, including fruit and nectar-bearing plants, regenerate.
Nest boxes can provide additional habitat, and participants learned some of the key things to consider when choosing or building one, including placement on the east side of trees to reduce heat, the size and location of the entrance hole, the amount of space inside and ways to limit access to predators.
They also heard that nest boxes can attract some unexpected yet welcome residents. While a box may be designed with a particular species in mind, it is not uncommon for other birds or even possums to take up residence.
Cr Paul Hildebrand, Sustainability and Assets Portfolio Councillor, said supporting local birdlife could start close to home.
“Taking notice of the birds that visit our backyards is a great way to better understand the wildlife around us and the habitat it needs,” Cr Hildebrand said.
“Simple actions, from protecting existing habitat and planting local native species to providing a suitable nest box, can help make our backyards more welcoming places for local wildlife.”
The event introduced participants to the Aussie Bird Count and its app, which allows people to record the birds they see and contribute their sightings to bird conservation efforts.
Participants also learned about Nest Box Tales, a website with information and resources about nest boxes. You can learn more at nestboxtales.com
The evening was a great opportunity to ask questions, share ideas and learn practical ways to support local birds and their habitats.
Residents interested in finding out more about how to obtain a nest box can contact Murrindindi Shire Council on (03) 5772 0333.
