Step 1: Biodiversity Field Survey (2020)

The Arboretum is in the same region as Bodangora Wind Farm, but far enough away to provide physical distancing for birdlife. It therefore makes an ideal breeding habitat. One of the key features of a landscape for many local bird and bat species is hollow logs, as these provide ideal nesting and breeding habitat. The Iberdrola Australia staff assisted some ecologists from Habitech to count the available tree hollows in the Arboretum.

In addition to nesting habitat, the group was identified bird and bat species, and in particular for any of the 10 species identified as being of special significance to the Bodangora windfarm, either because they are rare or in some cases because of their significance to the local Wiradjuri people.  The 10 species consist of six birds and four bats, namely:

1. Wedge-tailed Eagle;
2. Superb Parrot;
3. Australian King Parrot;
4. Brown Treecreeper;
5. Little Lorikeet;
6. Grey-crowned Babbler;
7. Southern Forest Bat;
8. Yellow-bellied Sheathtail bat;
9. Gould's Wattled Bat;
10. White-striped Freetail Bat.

Ultimately, over 60 species of birds were identified, along with various bats and frogs. The findings of the field survey were used to inform the design of our next phase of the project.

Step 2: Nesting Box Installation (2022)

In April 2022, Iberdrola Australia, and representatives from ecological innovation group, Habitech, used the findings of the field survey to design enhancements to a zone of land at the arboretum to improve its attractiveness to target species. This included:

• 25 nesting boxes targeting the Brown Tree Creeper;
• 10 nesting boxes for the Yellow Bellied Sheathtail Bat; 
• 1 nesting platform targeting the Wedge Tailed Eagle; and
• enhanced the ecological environment to create a feeding zone targeting the Grey Crowned Babbler.

The work was completed by a combination of Iberdrola staff, Habitech employees, and representatives from several of our green energy customers.