"A
twenty metre nest-box-installing climb into the vibrant crown of this
giant, wonderful, incredible, colossal, ancient (200+ yr-old) Marri
tree, which glowed in the afternoon sun and tempted me (Simon) up there like a
cave full of glistening jewels, was the highlight of my day. And
possibly year. We only met last week but we are now best of friends. Her
arms cradled me with all the gentle care in the world,
and the view she offered me (I could see Mt Dale 50km away!) was
immense. To think that if she could talk, this tree would whisper tales
of witnessing countless Nyoongar ceremonies, then one day seeing the
first party of white explorers following the Helena River into the
Darling Scarp, CHANGES THE GRAIN of the human mind."
This was one of eight beautiful Eucalypt trees Simon had the privilege of
climbing to install nest boxes for Black Cockatoos at Helena College,
made by students at the school as part of a community services project.
The students were able to salvage demolition timber and plywood to
apply our 're-cyc-ology' train of thought to their boxes. We spent the first two afternoons of their ten-week project getting them started on how to build a nest box for Black-Cockatoos. They then spent the rest of the term building their own and had completed ten boxes by the end - such a great effort, and wonderful idea for a community services project!!
The eight boxes Simon has installed have a good chance of being used by cockies as just down the road in a private garden, several boxes are currently being used by both Red-tailed and Carnaby's Black-Cockatoos.
Our enormous
thanks go to Margaret Hogan and Kate Abbott for asking us to
assist with the project, and the school handymen Jason and Jason for
their help providing guidance to the students during construction, and
helping Simon with installation too.
Here's a cutting from the local Hills Gazette showing one of the boxes ready to be hoisted up!
