Men’s Shed builds bird boxes

Graeme Chester, Alan Jones, president John Layton and Taffy. Picture: JED LANYON

By Jed Lanyon

Badger Creek Men’s Shed are working hard to build nesting boxes to help support birds affected by the devastating summer bushfires.

The men’s shed has hand crafted over 50 boxes, which will allow surviving native wildlife to nest inside after much of their habitat would have been destroyed.

One men’s shed member ‘Taffy’ said, “When the bushfires came, we heard a call for some bird boxes, so I suggested it to the lads and we took it on.”

The nesting boxes have been created with different sized holes allowing a variety of bird species to utilise them.

Taffy said that he had received good feedback regarding the quality of the nesting boxes that had come from men’s sheds.

The boxes have been fitted with specially designed lids to ensure that possums and other predators cannot get inside, while the inside of each box has been modified to make it easier for chicks to climb out.

The men’s shed used wood supplied from Bunnings that would have gone to waste as well as materials from JC Custom Screens.

Taffy shared how supportive the Badger Creek Men’s Shed had been during a difficult time.

“This men’s shed saved my life. I’m being dead honest,” he said.

“When I came here I was just about ready to jump. I was made welcome and taught how to use the gear that we’ve got.”

He welcomes anyone interested in joining the Badger Creek Men’s Shed to come along to 360 Badger Creek Rd on a Monday or Wednesday morning to join in on the social activities.

“People can just roll up, like I did.”