Invitation to Woowookarung – Tree Planting
An “Urban Ripple Project” Sunday 27th July 2025 – 10am to noon.
Come along to help plant native trees, shrubs and grasses along a creek next to Dozed Track in Woowookarung Regional Park, Mt Clear.
• All equipment is provided. Feel free to bring your own gloves, tree planter, hammer or shovel, children and friends.
• Wear durable footwear and “July” appropriate gardening clothes.
• BYO water bottle or drink
• Meeting point is on Dozed Track, Mt Clear. Signs from Geelong Rd
A sausage sizzle at the end is hosted by the Alfredton Rotary Club.
Please register to assist catering.
• Try Booking: https://www.trybooking.com/DDEZH
• Email foccinfo@gmail.com,
• Text: Jeff 0408 509591 or
• https://www.focc.asn.au/
The Urban Ripple revegetation project is funded from the Victoria Government’s, Green Link fund. A grant of $701000 has been awarded to the Bunanyung Landscape Alliance, and in partnership with the Yarrowee Leigh Catchment Group to revegetate waterways in Ballarat. As part of the project the FoCC will plant 600 trees, shrubs and grasses along Sailors Gully at Dozed Track, Mt Clear.
The Urban Ripple revegetation project is funded from the Victoria Government’s, Green Link fund. A total grant of $701000 has been awarded to the Bunanyung Landscape Alliance, and in partnership with the Yarrowee Leigh Catchment Group, the project aims to revegetate waterways in Ballarat. As part of the project the FoCC will plant trees, shrubs and grasses on 10 hectares along 2.2 kilometres of waterway. Planting sites are shown below.
The Urban Ripple Tree 2025 planting program is about to occur over five sites as follows. Calendar of public planting events: All events begin at 10 am and conclude with a sausage sizzle at Noon. (Some keen volunteers may work into the afternoon)
How to be involved – Individuals and families This is a great opportunity to join with hundreds of other friends to plant trees, shrubs and grasses to restore the native vegetation on each site.
To book into the two July plantings via Try Booking. Site 1 – July 13: Trybookinghttps://www.trybooking.com/DDEZC
August bookings will open soon. Or use the contact details here for more information foccinfo@gmail.com Or Ph 0408509591
Site maps
Lal Lal Drain 1 and 4 and Soapy’s Dam 5 planting areaPlanting area 2 in Woowookarung Regional ParkCanadian Creek and Lavery Avenue 3, 6 and 7 planting areas
An opportunity for groups to participate:
Three schools are already participating in the “Urban Ripple” plantings on Soapy’s Dam. (See article below). Several more groups have registered their interest in joining the planting program. Groups may have an allocated planting area on the selected site depending on expected numbers and wishes.
All tools, plants, tree guards and stakes, training, gloves etc and a sausage sizzle are provided.
Damascus College student tree planting Damascus College Year 8 students planted 330 trees shrubs and grasses at Soapy’s Dam on Tuesday 24th June.
Students, teachers and helpers enjoy the sausage sizzle lunch on a very cold Tuesday 24th June 2025.
The students are participants in Environment and Lifestyle studies at the College’s St Brendons Dunnstown Campus. A wonderful effort by the students in very cold and wet conditions. And a big thanks to the accompanying teachers. Also, thanks to Jo and Judith for the sausage sizzle, Mark, Peter, Chris, Ric, Greg and Tarn for assisting the students.
Urban Ripple planting site tour May 3rd 2025 A small group of friends toured the FoCC Urban Ripple sites on the morning of Saturday 3rd May 2025. The purpose of the tour was to acquaint friends with the planting sites.
Josh, Melissa, Chris, Janice and Val at Soapy’s Dam. Image 3rd May 2025.
Mining Water Race walk Two small guided walks around the Sparrow Ground, Pax Hill and Sawpit Gully mining water races were successfully held on Sunday May 18th.
Parks Victoria trial vegetation study Parks Victoria Rangers have initiated a study into the amount of vegetation in Woowookarung Regional Park. The study is being run by the Glenelg Trust for Nature. The purpose of the study is to provide baseline data of the type and density of vegetation within the Park. The first part of the study was to create a workable methodology for use across the Park. A trial workshop was held on May 6th in the Park block north of Greenhills Rd Mt Helen. The one metre square for measuring vegetation. 6th May 25The 25-meter line in place. 6th May 2025.
The trial had three parts
A 25 m long line along which all vegetation is recorded. This determines density over a distance
A 1-meter square used to determine how much vegetation is within the square.
A sky view to determine how large or dense the leaf canopy is.
Regular visitors to the Park will know that this year the undergrowth and tree canopy has diminished mainly due to the dry conditions. The trial is to set up regular studies at interval of about 5 years so as to determine whether the vegetation and canopy are expanding, holding the same or declining.
Tree guards and stakes arrive The FoCC purchased 19000 wooden tree guard stakes, 4000 plastic tree guards, 1000 corn starch tree guards, 3 rolls of jute matting for the forthcoming Urban Ripple tree planting in May. The purchase was funded from the Urban Ripple planting budget. Many thanks to Dean at Ross St Building in Ballarat East Supplies for the generous unloading of the stakes with their forklift and storing the stakes until they are used.
What 7 tons of tree stakes and guards looks like at Ross St Building Supplies in Ballarat East. 20th June 2025.
FoCC purchases tree planting equipment The FoCC has purchased extra tree planting equipment for our forthcoming Urban Ripple tree plantings. The 27 extra mattocks, shovels, hammers and trowels tools are funded by the Urban Ripple project. A review of the 2024 planting working bees identified a shortage of tools.
The FoCC planting tool collection. Sixty tools ready to start planting. Image 20th June 2025
Wiyn Murrup Traditional Burn at Sparrow Ground A first in Ballarat. The Wadawurrung Traditional Owners in conjunction with the City of Ballarat, CFA and Forest Fire Management Victoria completed the first traditional burn in Ballarat on Friday 20th June 2025. The best way to describe a traditional burn is in the “Wiyn Murrup Rangers, Wadawurrung Traditional Owners” words: Wadawurrung Traditional Owners are bringing Wiyn Murrup (Fire Spirit) practices back to Dja (country) to renew our Dja, reaffirm our cultural connections, our identity and heal country and people. Wiyn Murrup practices build both resilient ecosystems and culturally connected landscape. Wadawurrung ancestors managed Dja with Wiyn (fire) for tens of thousands of years. The Wiyn Murrup burn is a practice that is tens of thousands of years old. Ongoing traditional fire burning management is a practice that can reduce the destruction caused by hot and rapid bushfires and enhance biodiversity of flora and fauna. Traditional burns are usually done in the cooler winter months and use a low intensity fire or “cool burn” to remove surplus growth and stimulate new growth.
Wadawurrung Wiyn Murrup rangers, City of Ballarat, CFA and Forest Fire Mgt Victoria observers at the edge of the first traditional burn. 20th June 2025
Bird of the Month XXLII (June 2025) Yellow-rumped Thornbill (Acanthiza chrysorrhoa)
Cute. Colourful. Busy. Social. If these attributes resonate with you, then the Yellow-rumped Thornbill may be your ‘spirit’ bird! If my recent observations in Buninyong can be considered a proxy of others’ experiences, the Yellow-rumped Thornbills are not just seasonally abundant, but a visitor of more noticeable presence this year than years past.
A species associated with open spaces with sparse cover of shrubs and trees, the Yellow-rumped Thornbill may be a feathered visitor to your residence as well, particularly if a golf course, farmland, or open woodland is nearby. It may be a surprise coming from someone who has almost 10 years of birdwatching experience, but Yellow-rumped Thornbills are a rarity for the following personal observations: (1) recently observed in our backyard for the first time in 13 years of residence at my current address; (2) until recently, it’s the only species I have encountered mid-breeding attempt (apologies Mr and Mrs Yellowrump!); and (3) one of the few species I have vividly viewed attending the nest (not such a bad thing, as it is very important to keep a respectful distance from active nests!). Okay, so maybe I need to pack more birding into my days, but the fact is, the Yellow-rumped Thornbill is an all-action, ever-busy species whose jerky hop-and-peck foraging is emblematic of ‘never a dull moment’.
Adult Yellow-rumped Thornbill, with rich yellow rump in full view. Image credit: Rob Loveband.
At 11-13cm, the Yellow-rumped Thornbill is Australia’s largest thornbill, though still considerably small. ‘Yellow-rumps’ are one of five thornbill species resident to Ballarat, with the others being Brown Thornbill (Bird of the Month XXIX Mar 2024), Striated Thornbill, Buff-rumped Thornbill, and Yellow Thornbill. Yellow-rumps belong to Family Acanthizidae, which also includes fellow local White-browed Scrubwren, and what sets the Yellow-rumps apart from its aforementioned relatives, is its inextricable link to more open vegetation communities, and tendency to be uncommon or absent in forests. Flocks of 3-30 individuals busily forage for insects on lawns and low-hanging branches, invariably present on farmland, and often golf courses. The edges of forests may be occupied, as I have observed to be the case at Union Jack Reserve (Buninyong) where it is bordered by open farmland. Yellow-rumps may also join other birds in mixed-species flocks. In addition to its titular yellow rump, the birds’ aesthetic is characterised by black forehead spotted white; white eyebrow; olive-brown mantle; off-white or buff underparts; black tail, finely edged white; mid-brown wings; and a pale fawn iris. Males and females are identical, while juveniles have darker eyes and a yellow gape (lip skin). The species flies “bouncingly”, with its yellow rump sometimes visible during its undulating flight.
Adult Yellow-rumped Thornbill, with crown (not too dissimilar to that of a male Spotted Pardalote). Image credit: Rob Loveband.
Breeding season is July through December. This is when Yellow-rumps characterful idiosyncrasies come to the fore! The species is a cooperative breeder (granted, somewhat common of Australian birds), who deploy auxiliaries or ‘helpers’ (one or a small group) to support the mated pair’s breeding efforts. Pair and helpers make the nest, while the female incubates the clutch of 3-4 eggs alone, but assisted by all when it comes to feeding duties. The nest is situated at heights of low to 8m (but occasionally up to 15m) in the outer foliage of eucalypts, acacias, non-native conifers, mistletoe, or vines, and sometimes incorporated into the stick nests of raptor (birds of prey) or babblers. The untidy, domed nest is composed of dry grass, bark fibre, and spiderwebs, and is quirky for its unique architecture, which is characterised by one or more ‘false’ cup-shaped chambers at the top, and lower egg chamber with hooded entrance. The purpose of the false chambers is unknown, but theories include functioning as a decoy to deter predators and parasitic cuckoos, a roost site for father or fledglings, a ‘practice’ nest to give helpers a trial run in nest construction, or a ‘displacement’ activity for males. Yellow-rumps wouldn’t segregate their males to keep them out of the way, would they?!
The vocalisations of the Yellow-rumped Thornbill are described as ‘pretty tinkling, cyclic song’ or ‘cheery, undulating, tinkling’, and song ‘lasts 3-4 seconds, usually ending with two clear whistled notes, the second descending: “chip-chip-chippity-cheepity-chippity-cheepity-wheit-wheeoo”.’ The flight call is “check-check”.
Yellow-rumped Thornbills occur in all states and territories of Australia, but are sparse or absent from the tropics and driest deserts. The species is common, abundant, and sedentary. (i.e. present year-round at breeding residence).
Next time you wander through Woowookarung RP clearings or the outer edges of this or other forests in the Corridor, make sure you’re on the look-out for the social flocks of these chipper, ground-foraging birds that are the indefatigable Yellow-rumped Thornbill! Author note: FoCC Committee member and co-admin of FoCC’s Facebook and webpage, Joel Ellis is the resident bird nerd, amateur Powerful Owl researcher, and editor of FoCC’s (co-funded) ‘Indigenous [Species] of Southern Ballarat’ brochure series. Joel has studied birds up to Honours degree level, is a professional ecological consultant (ornithologist), and member of BirdLife Australia (Ballarat branch)
Park Works Gorse removal. Parks Victoria contractors have removed a large area of gorse from the block bounded by Dozed Rd and the Bunny Trail along the western boundary of the Park. This area was heavily infested with gorse, a legacy from the pine and blue gum plantations on that site.
Gorse removal area. Hocking Ave and Katy Ryans Rd area Mt Clear.
Gorse removal. Image 17th June 2025.
Baileys Track trail signs installed Five new direction signs have been installed at the Katy Ryans Rd and the Dozed Rd ends of Baileys Track. The trail extends the Grasstree Nature Trail from Katy Ryans RD through to Dozed Track. This adds another 1.2 km of fully constructed shared cycle/walk track to the Parks steadily expanding formal trails.
Map of Baileys Track sign locationSign 3 at the south side of Katy Ryans Rd. Image 28 June 25
Bollards: Recreation Road Fire Zone.
In March this year a fire broke out south of Recreation Rd. A perimeter track was bull dozed around the fire zone. Parks Rangers have now installed bollards to stop vehicle access. Later this year logs and fallen vegetation will be placed back over the bulldozed track to promote regrowth.
The bulldozed fire control track around the fire zone and recently installed bollards. Image 17th June 2025.
Remarkable regrowth in fire zone.
The regrowth in the fire zone. Image 17 June 2025.
Track Control Parks Victoria rangers have installed bollards at several sites in the Park. Some are extensions beside existing bollards which allow access for cyclists and walkers access whilst keeping vehicles out. Drivers have been observed “bush bashing” to get around existing bollards.
Koala Sightings October to March is Koala breeding season and peak sightings time. If you see, hear or find scat from a Koala, please send the information containing the when, where, and how to: foccinfo@gmail.com. Images are gold (even if a little blurry). All Koala sightings are entered into the iNaturalist online data base. The complete list of sightings can be viewed at https://www.focc.asn.au/koalas/
Stake and guard recycling working bee
Over a dozen Friends collected 1100 stakes and 350 tree guards from the 2024 planting area beside the Bunny Trail.
The Friends with a cuppa at the end. 11th May 2025.What a ute full of recycled stakes looks like before repackaging. 11th May 2025
Trail usage numbers are up The Dementia Friendly Forest and Sensory Trail has continued to be a popular walking spot in the Park. Usage for the year was 15200 up from 14000 for the same period last year. The Bunny Trail in the southern part of the Park had a count of 220 walkers, 80 dogs (85% on lead) and 42 cyclists during one week in February.
Recreation Road upgrade planning. Recreation Rd, Mt Clear will be upgraded over the next 2 years. Council surveyors have mapped the road and adjacent road verges including all trees and features. Gas, Telstra and water authorities have been locating and mapping all the services that are along the road in preparation for any works. Discussions have been held about the provision of animal crossings. The FoCC has provided Koala and Kangaroo records and anecdotal evidence to assist. To see what a large animal crossing looks like try this BBC report on the world’s biggest wildlife crossing. https://apple.news/AepVaXpokQd6wGovthZCZZQ
Greetings FoCCers! In the absence of Spikey News which is having a well-earned one-month hiatus, we just wanted to bring a quick update.
Please enjoy these images of 2 Koalas observed by Jeremy at Union Jack Reserve.
And the birds? Bird of the Month will be reinstated next month as per usual. But for now, we’ll leave you with this.:
The onset of winter doesn’t have to bring an end to your enjoyment of birds. Should you brave the weather or venture out in an opportunistic explore if/when the weather fines up, the following are a few things to keep your eyes and ears alert to:
• Breeding season is underway for Superb Fairywren. The resplendent blue breeding plumage of breeding males is now emerging and available for your viewing enjoyment!
• Wedge-tailed Eagles are now embarking on their breeding season. If you’re super-lucky, in the right spot at the right time, the courtship ritual of tandem loop-de-loops and other aerobatics could be a winter gift to cherish!
• Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoos are currently choc-full of an exclusively mature populace, which means flight lessons and babysitters are not needed. Listen out for their vociferous flocks (I have recently observed in the corridor flocks totalling roughly 100 individuals!), leisurely, effortlessly going about their flyovers.
• White-winged Chough are a few months out from breeding season, meaning they too adults-only and ‘all systems to go’. A flock recently observed at Union Jack Reserve was an aggregate totalling almost 50 individuals. Never a dull moment watching choughs go about their activities!
• Yellow-rumped Thornbill are the next featured species in store for the Bird of the Month. Stay tuned for more!
Lots of Scarlet Robins around Woowookarung at them moment. (Photo 2 Jun 2025)
Urban Ripple 2025 Saturday 3rd May tree planting site inspection walk
The Victorian Government Green Links Grant Program in 2024 provided $701,000 to the Bunanyung Landscape Alliance in partnership with the Yarrowee Leigh Catchment Group for the project titled: Urban Ripple: Restoring our Yarrowee River and its Little Creeks The project is to restore 80.5 hectares along 9.8 kilometres of waterway by planting 39,500 trees and shrubs on 13 sites along waterways in and around Ballarat.
The FoCC has four planting sites this year within the “Urban Ripple” program.
· Lal Lal Drain
· Soapys Dam
· Canadian Creek
· Lavery Avenue
6500 trees and shrubs will be planted on the four sites. The trees are being grown by the Wadawurrung Nursery at Bostok near Ballan. The seed is of local provenance. The walk is an excellent opportunity for friends and community group leaders to view the sites and plans and how to become more involved.
Walk over of the four Urban Ripple sites: Saturday May 3rd
Lal Lal Drain The walkover will begin at Lal Lal Drain next to the Larter St bridge at 9am.
Soapys Dam. At 9.45 on site off Davies Rd, Mt Clear.
Canadian Creek. At 10.30am on site. Parking on Hocking Avenue, Mt Clear before the Canadian Creek bridge.
Lavery Avenue. At 11.15am. At the court bowl end of Lavery Avenue, Mt Clear.
Friends are invited to come along and learn about the sites, planting program and dates for this year. More info: foccinfo@gmail.com
Proposed planting dates for Urban Ripple sites.
Planting dates are now being organised with the following dates and sites tentatively organised.
There will be additional sites and dates to come. Two sites will have sections planted by students from Damascus College and Mt Clear College. Community groups are already involved in the planning. New groups are most welcome to become involved. This may include having a separate planting date and section. Contact foccinfo@gmail.com for more details or phone Bob Hartmann 0474557409 or Jeff Rootes 0408509591. A complete list of planting sites and arrangements will be published in the June Spikey News.
Tree stake and guard collection working bee: 10th May at 10am.
A working bee to pick up stakes and tree guards will be held at the “Bunny Trail” site in Recreation Rd Mt Clear where 1100 plant trees shrubs and grasses were planted last year. Due to the dry summer, quite a few plants did not survive and the stakes and guards will be recycled. A side task for the day will be to estimate the % success rate of last year’s plantings. Details: Sunday 10am 10th May 2025. Recreation Rd Bushland Reserve and beside the Bunny Trail in Woowookarung Regional Park. Meeting point: North end of the Bunny trail at the entrance to Woowookarung Regional Park. Just turn up. Light refreshments provided. Solid footwear and clothing required. Gloves supplied or bring own. Parking on Recreation Rd
Mining Water Race walk Woowookarung Regional Park water races, diggings and sluice field pop up walks. Venue: Sparrow Ground Rotunda, Spencer St, Canadian,
Walk 1: 10am 18th May 2025 Walk 2: 2pm 18th May 2025
Each walk in Woowookarung Regional Park will be led by FoCC volunteers along trail complete with information boards at each mining site. The walk is 5.6 km (2 hours approx.) along gravel roads and undulating bush tracks. Walkers are urged to wear solid footwear, warm clothing and carry water and food if required. There are no facilities along the trail. A walk booklet will be available at the start. Light refreshments at conclusion. Just turn up!
More info: foccinfo@gmail.com or Ph 0408509591
FoCC walk map 2025
FoCC Friends 23rd April Heritage Gaps Review Program Meeting outcome.
The short meeting heard about the three sites identified by the FoCC as worthy of further investigation for the City of Ballarat Heritage Gaps Review program. A roundtable discussion at the end of the meeting agreed to form a working party and prepare a submission on each site for the Council. Submissions are due by the middle of the year.
Sites identified so far are: The former Ballarat to Buninyong Rail Line, known locally as the “Bunny”. Tarn Kruger gave a short overview of the heritage value of the line. Currently railway embankments and features are not listed on the Heritage Register
The Bunny Railway. Looking south from Horwood Road in 2008Same location today. The large old tree on the right was in the previous image also. Image: 18th April 2025
The two images above demonstrate how heritage can be lost when new developments occur. Imagine if the railway embankments had been kept as part of the Sailors Gully Residential development and how the Bunny Rail trail could have become a feature in the precinct plan.
The former “Canadian Rifle Range Ballaarat”.
Jeff Rootes outlined the structures and value of the Rifle Range and that it is still complete.
The shooting target lifting apparatus and safety shelter at the long-range butts
The Canadian Forest Mining Water Races.
Peter Darveniza outlined the importance of the mining water races, dams and sluice fields that exist in Woowookarung Regional Park. The sites will be the visited during the Ballarat Heritage Festival FoCC Water Races Walk to be held on Sunday 18th May, Details in item 4.
Ballarat East Trails
The City of Ballarat has been seeking feedback on its proposed trails in Ballarat East through the MySay process. Responses closed on 30th April.
The Cities Ballarat East Trails plan as published in My Say.
The FoCC has prepared a submission to the Council in support of the proposed trails including some suggestions for the route along Rodier St south of Eureka.
Map of the “Bunny Trail” extension along Rodier St Ballarat East.
The FoCC has welcomed the proposed Bunny Trail extension running south from the Eureka Centre along Rodier St Ballarat East. The proposal is in line with a request the FoCC made to Council in February to install “Bunny Trail” signs between the Ballarat Station and the Recreation Rd Bushland Reserve in Mt Clear. The request for signage is to enable walkers and cyclists to navigate safety on or beside the “Bunny Trail” along the route of the old Ballarat to Buninyong Railway.
Koala Sightings
October to March is Koala breeding season and peak sightings time. If you see, hear or find scat from a Koala, please send the information containing the when, where, and how to: foccinfo@gmail.com. Images are gold (even if a little blurry). All Koala sightings are entered into the iNaturalist online data base. The complete list of sightings can be viewed at
The FoCC was nominated for a “Raising the Bar Award” at the recent 3BA – POWER FM – OPTUS awards celebrated at the Hop Temple Ballarat on 10th April 2025. The most deserving winners were: Individual:Heidi Biggin has been awarded $10,000 to support her outstanding work in advancing disability inclusion within our community. Group:Grampians Health Wellness Centre will also receive a $10,000 grant in recognition of their exceptional retreat program for cancer patients and their careers, offering a range of wellness activities.
Grampians Health Wellness Centre receiving their $10000 award.
The FoCC is very appreciative for the nomination for the Group Award by a Friend or Friends unknown.
Bird of the Month XLI (April 2025) Eastern Spinebill (Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris)
Image credit: Rob Loveband.
It’s heralded as Australia’s answer to the hummingbird, and it is mesmerising! Mesmerising for both their foraging exploits and their unique pastel tones that wouldn’t look out-of-place on the wrapping foil of your Easter eggs! With that long, fine, curvaceous bill, the Eastern Spinebill is actually a honeyeater, and while it can hover somewhat about the inflorescence of flowering plants, it diverges from hummingbirds by virtue of its inability to fly backwards. But spinebills are not alone in this aviation limitation, as hummingbirds are the only birds worldwide capable of this aerobatic feat. Just don’t petition for a rebrand of our national coat of arms, because there’s not enough room to include all our fauna that cannot take a backwards step/flight (which is of course the symbolic reason why the kangaroo and emu take pride of place as our emblems)! Forward-only trajectories for our nation, kangaroo, emu, spinebills, and all birds, alike! Anyway, I digress. This is a bird that will have you charmed with its gentle, peaceful presence, and a colour palette worthy of décor inspiration.
Smallish (14-16.5cm) and unmistakable, Eastern Spinebills are unlike any other local honeyeater. From the beautiful warm rufous-buff (almost apricot!) belly, to the chestnut throat, red iris (eye), gunmetal wings, and hints of white and black – the Eastern Spinebill is most definitely one of a kind. The sexes look subtly different, with the females having a olive-grey crown which is paler than the black (or blackish) crown of the male, who also has a throat crescent/band (absent or inconspicuous on female). Juveniles have a significantly different plumage to mature individuals, with olive-grey upperparts, yellow-buff underparts, and a brown iris (eye).
Adult male Eastern Spinebill. One can tell it’s a male by the throat’s dark crescent and blackish crown. Image credit: Rob Loveband.Adult female, as told by the grey crown. Image credit: Rob Loveband.
Eastern Spinebill’s breeding season is August to December. Both sexes incubate (for 14 days) the clutch of 2-3 eggs, with two broods often reared per breeding season. The nest is a small, deep cup of grass, twigs, fine bark strips, feathers, hair, moss, and spiderwebs, which hangs by its rim to a fork of the outer foliage, at heights of usually 1-5m (but sometimes up to 15m) from the ground.
Juvenile, as told by the olive-grey upperparts, yellow-buff underparts, and brown iris, and pale lower bill. Image credit: Rob Loveband.
Eastern Spinebills love to extract nectar from shrubs and trees with tubular flowers, to which their bill is very well-suited. They are non-migratory, i.e. present locally year-round. This being so, the availability of flowering plants that blossom at all different times of the year is very important to this species, whose hand may be forced into locally nomadic movements in search of blossoming veg. If attracting these cuties to your backyard is not incentive to plant natives that flower at all different times of the year, then I don’t know what is! Like most honeyeaters, Eastern Spinebills also feed on insects, which are both gleaned from foliage and hawked out of the airspace.
Eastern Spinebills inhabit heathlands, woodlands, forests, and gardens. They occupy southeast Australia, from southeast SA, temperate Victoria, and the eastern seaboard of NSW and QLD (south of Cooktown), through to Tasmania.
The vocalisations of the Eastern Spinebill may be characterised by ‘long, tinkling, staccato piping’, ‘explosive twittering rondos’, and ‘twittering flight song’. The song is a ‘clear, cheery “cheer-whit cheerwhit”’, while the calls are ‘sharp “chip-chip-chip-” at even, high pitch’.
Next time you wander through Woowookarung RP, another forest patch within the Corridor, or possibly your garden, be sure to listen out for chipping and piping, and maybe just maybe you will be treated to the hovering of the red-eyed, apricot-bellied hummingbird-esque Eastern Spinebill! Author note: FoCC Committee member and co-admin of FoCC’s Facebook and webpage, Joel Ellis is the resident bird nerd, amateur Powerful Owl researcher, and editor of FoCC’s (co-funded) ‘Indigenous [Species] of Southern Ballarat’ brochure series.
Foos Lane “old Chinese residence” information found
Recently a former resident of Foos Lane, Warrenheip asked about whether any FoCC friends may have information or images of an old Chinese built house that existed in Foos Lane that the resident lived in as a young person. The house no longer exists? A perusal of the 1934 aerial images of the area clearly shows the existence of the house and its site has been corroborated by the resident. The existence of a Chinese built house in that area and the origins of the name “Foos Lane” may well be connected. Any more information is most welcome!
Foos Lane and house 1934
Bunanyung Native Habitat Restoration Guide Launch The Bunanyung Native Habitat Restoration Guide was launched at Ross Creek on 6th April by the Bunanyung Landscape Alliance and the Natural Resources Conservation Trust. This is a new tool for restoring degraded land. Based on detailed floristic mapping units, the guide helps landowners select the right indigenous plants for their region, supporting local biodiversity. Whether you’re a land manager, gardener, or community member, this resource will empower you to contribute to ecological restoration efforts.
This guide has been produced with the valuable assistance of the Natural Resources Conservation Trust. The guide is being used to identify the trees and shrubs to be planted in the Urban Ripple project.
To access the Guide in PDF or flip book form: https://bunanyunglandscapealliance.org/habitat-restoration-guide
Haymes Rd Mt Clear Tree plantings update
Last year the Friends of Haymes Rd and the FoCC planted nearly 200 trees and shrubs in Haymes Rd Park. Despite a very dry summer the growth of some the trees has been quiet spectacular as the image below shows.
Haymes Rd tree growth. Image 1st April 2025
Another Classic Car find The very dry summer has reduced growth along some of the creeks which may have allowed this 1930’s era English car remnant to be discovered beside Lal Lal Drain. This is the twelfth classic car discovered so far in Woowookarung Regional Park. See www.focc.asn.au for the updated classic car map.
Car remnants beside Lal Lal Drain. Image 22nd April 2025.
Rubbish dumpers, thieves and vandals
The FoCC urges Park friends to report vandals as well as rubbish dumpers, wood thieves and other suspicious activity to Parks Victoria on 13 1963 or email: woowookarung@parks.vic.gov.au In emergency situations please call 000. If an offender is spotted, please note vehicle registration details as vehicle identification is most helpful, plus location and details. All information is treated by Parks Victoria Rangers professionally and confidentially.
DEECA wildlife issues reporting information Report wildlife crime to Crime Stoppers Victoria on 1800 333 000. Report any wildlife at immediate risk of deliberate harm or neglect to 136 186. Other matters relating to wildlife and wildlife management should use the 136 186 too. The Help for Injured Wildlife tool will help you locate and contact the closest relevant wildlife carers and rescue and rehabilitation organisations to help the injured wildlife.
FoCC Facebook and webpage www.facebook.com/friendsofcanadiancorridor/
Rob is overseeing the media webmaster@focc.asn.au
The FoCC has over 1300+ friends following us on Facebook and growing. Welcome to all new friends. Feel free to pass on to other friends and press the Like button.
2025 Proposed Calendar
The calendar is prepared by the FoCC committee.
Spikey News is published monthly for the Friends of Canadian Corridor Incorporated. Registered No A0097535B. The FoCC is a Landcare group registered with Landcare Victoria Inc and a member of the Yarrowee Leigh Catchment Group. The purpose of “Spikey News” is to link the community to Woowookarung Regional Park and the Canadian Corridor. Circulation this issue is to 1238 1243 subscribers. Welcome to all new friends.
Any opinions expressed in Spikey News are made by the editors in good faith and do not officially represent Parks Victoria or the FoCC. Previous issues of Spikey news can be found at our web site, here.
This is a great opportunity to tell the Vic Gov your thoughts on how to manage the state’s forests and parks into the future. Do it now! This closes January 12!
The Friends of Canadian Corridor (FoCC) as an organisation has grown significantly since its early days with us now having 135 financial members, over 1200 friends on our mailing list and 1300 followers on Facebook.
As many will recall, our initial purpose was the establishment of Woowookarung Regional Park, which continues to increase its visitor numbers and with the Dementia Friendly Walk is becoming an important attraction for both tourist and locals alike. The FoCCs positive working relationship with Parks Victoria (PV) staff has continued to grow with our regular meetings and input into PVs infrastructure planning and their new biodiversity projects for Woowookarung that will commence in 2025.
One of the significant successes for the FoCC has been our ability to build positive working relationships with a broad range of organisations including the City of Ballarat and its councillors, Parks Victoria, Midwest tourism, Dementia Alliance, and Ballarat Field Naturalists as well as a number of commercial companies.
In 2022 the FoCC committee adopted the Advocate, Educate and Activate mantra as its statement of purpose.
In our advocacy work within the Canadian Corridor, the completion of the Recreation Road Bushland reserve project has been a highlight. The reserve is now a regularly used link that connects the people of Mt Clear with Woowookarung. This reserve is also an important link in the Bunny Rail trail project.
The official adoption by the City of its Biodiversity plan, which FoCC had considerable input, has highlighted the positive relationship that we have developed with the City.
This year also saw a significant successful VCAT challenge to an inappropriate development in the area, alongside proposals and meetings with the City of Ballarat in regard to the upgrading of Recreation Rd.
The FoCC was represented on a working party facilitated by PV. This group discussed future research and Citizen Science projects within Woowookarung. These projects, to be initiated in 2025, will provide a better understanding of the complex biodiversity within the parks ecosystem. These projects align with our Educate role.
The completion of our fourth Wildlife brochure “40 Species Checklist” has proven to be a hit with families and school groups. I would like to take this opportunity to thank two of our committee members for their work in producing this amazing resource, Joel Ellis and Hayley Inglis.
The pop up Mining Heritage walk and the pop up Wild flower walks, held in May and October, continue to draw considerable numbers and have become very popular annual events. A big thankyou goes to all those involved with the setting up and promotion of these events.
Our bi monthly meetings also showcased a number of guest speakers who provided valuable insights into our local area. Norman Houghton’s talk on the Buninyong Railway Line ensured an informative connection between the old railway and the Bunny rail trail project. Spikey News continues to provide a wealth of information regarding the Canadian Corridor including the regular Bird of the month article. A special thank you to Jeff Rootes and Joel Ellis for producing this very important community newsletter every month.
The Activation of volunteers for tree planting this year saw FoCC plant its 5000th tree in Woowookarung as part of our annual tree planting project. The task of this mile stone planting was entrusted to a group of young enthusiast tree planting FoCCers.
With a grant from the CCMA, FoCC able to was able to clear a significant pine infestation adjacent to the Mt Clear Bushland reserve as well as plant out areas along Mr Toms creek, which passes through the reserve. Trees were also in a council reserve in Haymes Rd by the a group of local residents.
Considerable work has also commenced on the Urban ripple tree planting project which will commence in 2025. Under this project, FoCC plans to plant 6000 trees, shrubs and grasses across 4 sites.
All the above would not have occurred without the dedicated volunteers who continually turn up and support our efforts. I want to take this opportunity to thank you and acknowledge your role in improving our local environment.
I especially want to acknowledge and thank the members of the FoCC committee for their work, support and enthusiasm. Through your drive and passion FoCC has provided community leadership and helped protect and enhance our local environment.
As president of FoCC, I am looking forward to 2025 with enthusiasm and hope for further growth and success for this unique organisation.
The untidy, domed nest is composed of dry grass, bark fibre, and spiderwebs, and is quirky for its unique architecture, which is characterised by one or more ‘false’ cup-shaped chambers at the top, and lower egg chamber with hooded entrance. The purpose of the false chambers is unknown, but theories include functioning as a decoy to deter predators and parasitic cuckoos, a roost site for father or fledglings, a ‘practice’ nest to give helpers a trial run in nest construction, or a ‘displacement’ activity for males. Yellow-rumps wouldn’t segregate their males to keep them out of the way, would they?!
