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These SOSSI volunteers’ DIY skills were put to the test as they made around 30 nest boxes. From left, Jeff Albom, John Hyde, Julian Fripp and Les Cave. Photo, Chantel Strydom
The cliffs at Shakespear Regional Park just became a whole lot more attractive to seabirds such as petrels and shearwaters with the recent addition of around 30 nest boxes.The ready-made homes for the birds took four Shakespear Open Sanctuary volunteers around three weeks to build, with each box taking around six hours to make.
Although it took 14 different pieces to make up each box, the instructions given to volunteers were rudimentary.
“We were given a box of wood and nails and told to ‘go for it’,” SOSSI volunteer Jeff Albom says.
It is hoped that seabirds attracted to the cliffs by speakers emitting bird calls at Huaroa Point, which were installed a few months ago, may be encouraged to stay by the boxes placed alongside. The boxes will largely be invisible to the birds but they will spot the holes where the artificial tunnels exit the ground.
SOSSI chair Peter Jackson says it is likely that young or first time breeding pairs will be attracted to the cliffs and they may appreciate help to successfully nest.
He says local students were keen to make the boxes as homely as possible for the birds. “We gave one to Gulf Harbour School to paint and they fitted it out with a sheepskin and a few stuffed toys as well,” he says.
