Nestbox Monitoring #2 - cute, furry & up a tree (update: photos!)

Requirements: UPDATE: We may need to hire a car for this trip. In order to cover the car hire charge upfront and to secure your place on this trip, please bring $25 cash to the trip meeting (this is separate from petrol cost)

What is tiny, cute, furry, endangered and lives in a box up a tree? 
Come and find out! 

Photos from the first nestboxing weekend

This is the second nestboxing weekend of the year - April 5 and 6.

The Regent Honeyeater Project has been operating a nestbox program for over a decade in the Lurg Hills near Benalla. The boxes provide arboreal homes for threatened species such Sugar Gliders and Squirrel Gliders. All of them boxes need to be checked each year - to monitor the populations and to learn more about their habitat needs.  

Monitoring activities are undertaken in teams and involve visiting nextboxes in the forest, checking for wildlife, recording data and observations. It's also a great opportunity to learn about these unique Australian animals, and to practice map reading skills and bush navigation. 

TRIP DETAILS
Usually, this is a weekend trip and everyone is encouraged to stay for both days. However, this time I can only attend for Saturday because of work commitments, so there is a daytrip option. Everything will depend on the availability of cars. 

We will drive up to Benalla on Saturday morning, returning in the evening on Sunday (weekenders) or Saturday (day trippers). 
The other options is to take a train to Benalla on Friday afternoon.

You will need: 
- food & water for the weekend (we'll be out in the field during the day, on Saturday there is a group BBQ dinner)
- sleeping bag and/or tent - free accommodation is provided in the Benalla Scout Hall (mattresses are provided, bring everything else), or you can camp
- sturdy shoes, long trousers, long-sleeved shirt, gaiters, sun protection, rain gear (just in case) 
- money for petrol & car maintenance (~$20-25 depending on numbers)
- money for car hire!!! 

UPDATE: We may need to hire a car for this trip. In order to cover the car hire charge upfront and to secure your place on this trip, please bring $25 cash to the trip meeting (this is separate from petrol cost - however, maintenance will be much less)

Trip meeting will be on April 1.
If you have questions in the meantime, find me at the clubrooms on a Tuesday night or email me at conservation at mumc dot org dot au. 
 

More about the nextboxing project: 

http://regenthoneyeater.org.au/nestbox2013.php

For those of you who can't attend this weekend but are interested, there will be another one May 3 & 4 (I'm not able to go myself, but it's not a problem to organise a trip!)