Squirrel Glider Habitat Relief
Join us in 2022 to install nest boxes and plant food trees for Squirrel Glider populations in the Newcastle LGA
As well as two final bushland sites at which we will be installing nest-boxes at in 2023, we are working towards a full-scale corridor restoration project at a high-priority planting site for Squirrel glider populations in Newcastle/Lake Macquarie.
Blue Wren Creek - nestbox inspection, June 2023
Blue Wren Creek - nestbox inspection, June 2023
Blue Wren Creek - nestbox inspection, June 2023
Blue Wren Creek - nestbox inspection, June 2023
Blue Wren Creek, Dec 22
Blue Wren Creek, Dec 22
Blue Wren Creek, Dec 22
Wallsend, November 2022
Blue Wren Creek, Dec 22
Blue Wren Creek, Dec 22
Blue Wren Creek, Dec 22
Blue Wren Creek, Dec 22
Blue Wren Creek, Dec 22
Wallsend, November 2022
Wallsend, November 2022
Wallsend, November 2022
Wallsend, November 2022
Wallsend, November 2022
Wallsend, November 2022
Newcastle’s Glenrock, Blackbutt and Blue Gum Hills reserve areas provide the best glider habitat and have the highest number of sightings, however glider numbers in the LGA are lower than in neighbouring LGA’s due to higher urban density and tenuous, highly fragmented corridors.
With a preference for established coastal bushland and woodlands below 100m of elevation, vast areas of habitat preferred by Squirrel gliders has already been lost, and the longevity of local populations is uncertain.
The Squirrel Glider Squirrel Glider (Petaurus norfolcensis) listed as Vulnerable under the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 is an arboreal, nocturnal marsupial which dwells in dry and wet sclerophyll forest and woodlands.
Gliding up to 50m and raising packs of their young in multiple den-trees, Squirrel gliders are a coastal animal, found along the Queensland, NSW and Victorian coastlines, with rare sightings in South Australia.
The largest population clusters are found in Queensland’s Clarence River region and Wyong on the Central Coast. In Lake Macquarie populations are located in Valentine, Morisset, Eleebana and Wyee. Concerns that Wyee populations are on the brink of becoming isolated due to fragmentation and corridor were identified in 2008.
This project is focused on enhancing Squirrel glider habitat and promoting awareness of this threatened species. Join us for:
Planting food-trees, installing & inspecting nest boxes at strategic locations across Newcastle
Installing & monitoring trail cameras
Spotlighting & habitat scouting
Compiling footage & field data
Community outreach & awareness-raising
Workshops & skill-shares
City of Newcastle Council through the Community Support - Environment Stream provided HCEC with funds for this project.
Members of the Everyday Arbor team are volunteering climbing skills and habitat knowledge to install nest boxes for this project.
Further reading
See research papers on the Squirrel Glider