Nest boxes for wildlife in Victoria: An overview of nest box distribution and use

Nest boxes are deployed by individuals, community groups, researchers and government and non-government organisations, mainly to improve habitat for native hollow-dependent fauna. Information was sought from those involved in nest box programs to assess the distribution and extent of nest box installation across Victoria, and to provide an overview of faunal species reported as using nest boxes. Eighty-one respondents provided information on 98 'programs' that together support 9986 nest boxes. One to 1100 nest boxes were installed within programs. Most nest boxes (72%) had been installed by community/environment groups. Thirty-three native mammal and bird species used the nest boxes. More than half of the nest boxes (65%) were monitored at least once per year. Monitoring data of sixty-five percent of programs was curated and stored, but analysis or publication of results was completed for only a few programs. There is much potential to improve nest box program design and data management to help determine and increase conservation benefits for fauna.