The Animals in our Bigger Backyard

Scroll down on this page for
  • Nestboxes
  • Urban Habitat Creation
  • Birds of Coal Point
  • Powerful Owl
  • Threatened Species on the Coal Point peninsula

Nestboxes

Every animal needs a home and the majority of Australia’s tree dwelling mammals and birds use tree hollows. Since European settlement, clearing of land and felling of old growth trees has left a shortage of home-hollows. It takes over 100 years for some habitat hollows to develop as fungi and termites take their toll on the tree trunk and this is where nest boxes can make a huge difference to the survival of the local species.

Nest boxes are a great way to share your bigger backyard, watch the local wildlife and get to know them. 

The Greater Sydney Local Land Services have compiled a Build your own Wildlife Nest Box guide which includes homes for our local Squirrel Gliders and Microbats.

The Australasian Bat Society has produced a Boxes for Bats information sheet as well.


Urban Habitat Creation


Standing trees and fallen logs play an important role in providing habitat. Cavities in trees and hollows in logs are homes for birds, microbats, possums, gliders and reptiles. 

But what happens if your tree becomes a safety hazard? A growing group of arborists are developing techniques to retain the habitat values of trees whilst ensuring the safety of the people who live around them.

Advanced chainsaw and pruning skills on veteran trees are outlined in this booklet from Sydney Arbor Trees

Birds of Coal Point

Birds are a great indicator of the health of the local bushland. The TSLS project is conducting regular bird surveys to find out what birds are present and monitor the effectiveness of the bush regeneration and corridor enhancement aspects of the project.

The first year of bird survey reports have provided a baseline from which to guide the onground work. With several years of surveys under our belts a picture of the birds in the bush is starting to develop.

Since 2012 the CPPA has been fortunate to have had the support of enthusiastic bird surveyors recording the presence and noting the absence of our fine-feathered friends along the Coal Point peninsula. Between 2012-2018 Tom Clarke undertook quarterly surveys. He handed the baton to Rob Palazzi  and Michael Paver  who upped the ante with monthly surveys until the 2021 COVID lockdown. The sightings and pictures have been a regular part of the Chronicle.

2013-2021 Bird Surveys 
2018- Bird Monitoring final Report
2018 Summer Bird Survey
2017 Spring Bird Survey
2017 Winter Bird Survey
2017 Autumn Bird survey
2017 Summer Bird Survey
2016 Spring Bird Survey
2016 Winter Bird Survey
2016 Autumn Bird Survey
2016 Summer Bird Survey
2013-2015 Triennial Bird Survey Report
2015 Spring Bird Survey
2015 Winter Bird Survey
2015 Autumn Bird Survey
2015 Summer Bird Survey
2014 Spring Bird Survey
2014 Winter Bird Survey
2014 Autumn Bird Survey
2014 Summer Bird Survey
2013 Annual Bird Survey Report
Birds about in Spring 2013
Birds about in Winter 2013
Birds about in Autumn 2013
Birds about in the Summer of 2013

The Powerful Owl 

In 2015 a pair of Powerful Owls took up residence at Coal Point and successfully parented a chick.

Powerful Owls are frequent visitors to Coal Point, feeding on the abundant tree-dwelling mammals, especially the Ringtail Possums, in the area.


The need large old hollow bearing trees to nest and rear their young and a dense understorey to roost in during the day.
In order to help protect and conserve these majestic animals a study is being undertaken to work out how many there are from Newcastle to Kiama. 

You can be a part of this project by keeping an ear out, keep track of what you hear or see and sharing that information with the Powerful Owl Project.

Lots of interesting information about the Powerful Owl can be found at http://www.birdsinbackyards.net/Powerful-Owl-Project

All the information about how to get involved can be found at http://www.birdsinbackyards.net/surveys/Powerful-Owl-Project

Threatened Species on the  Coal Point Peninsula

There are a variety of Threatened Species and plant communities which call the Coal Point Peninsula home. 



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