Qld Glider Network event

Camera in place, checking pictures.

Recently we joined a Qld Glider Network activity in some bushland near Inala to find and check nest boxes for gliders.  We were fortunate to find two families of gliders, probably Squirrel Gliders, and also a couple of brushtail possums.  Many of the empty boxes showed that they were used from time to time and we had at least one unexpected nest box resident, a Lace Monitor (Varanus varanus), hopefully you can see it's leg and tail sticking out the bottom of the box  in the picture.

Lace Monitor

Measuring the height of the box

Qld Glider Network has  developed a specialised rig for seeing inside a nest box with minimal disturbance to any residents.  This allows an electronic view of what is inside without having to climb up and open the box itself.  The rig can also be used to measure the distance from ground to the box.  Other records are also taken, location, tree species and what side of the tree the box is on.  Over time it is hoped to have a better understanding of gliders preferences so that future boxes will more closely suit their needs. Nest boxes are also used by many of our bird species, bees and even ants can colonise a box.  There has been much destruction of Glider habitat and in particular the large old "dead" trees with many hollows which used to be used by so many of our native creatures.  We are lucky to retain a small population of Gliders and we must protect what is left of their habitat to keep even this small remnant of the glider population in our area. 

Almost too high for the rig!

Sunlight hazard

 A number of gliders in this box