My neighbour had a
Spotted Pardalote nest
in a sand heap. He happened to have a big steel square wire grid frame that was usually a cover for his trailer, that was put over the heap. It allowed the pardalotes to easily get through the frame but stopped cats or currawongs
getting to the nest entrance or sitting in wait near the entrance. Whether it made a difference we don’t know but we assume the nest was successful. Surely a wooden nest box - if they use it, would protect the actual nest from cats, but is that the issue?
I would have thought the vulnerability would be of the adults arriving and departing. I would guess at an opening size of about 5 cm. Really hard to protect from ants, other than by eliminating the ants.
From: Joan Lipscombe [
Sent: Monday, 8 May, 2017 1:52 PM
To: canberrabirds
Subject: [canberrabirds] Nesting pardalotes
A friend has sought advice about how he can protect his Spotted Pardalotes from predators when nesting in his garden. One nest in his compost heap was predated by a cat, another, in a pile
of soil, was attacked by ants. He wondered if an nesting box buried in his compost heap with just the entrance showing would work. It might help withe the cats, but presumably not the ants. Does anyone know what size opening would be right for the pardalotes
( I presume it would have to be a certain size to attract them). Any thoughts, suggestions appreciated.
