Friends of Canadian Corridor

1. VCAT decision keeps Koala habitat intact.

The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal has upheld a City of Ballarat decision to refuse a 24-lot subdivision application in Haymes Rd, Mt Clear.

The VCAT hearing was held over seven days in February and March involving the applicant New Home Shop Pty Ltd, City of Ballarat, several expert witnesses and seven local objectors including the FoCC. The FoCC and local residents objected to the original plan of subdivision to moonscape the site of trees, including 14 critically endangered Yarra Gums. Later versions of the subdivision plan still had over 60% of the Koala habitat and over half the Yarra Gums, proposed to be removed. The VCAT decision highlighted that the applicant’s subdivision design did not address the complexity of the site, the native vegetation on the site adequately and failed to resolve Bushfire Management Overlay issues on the site. The upholding of the Councils refusal for a subdivision permit, bodes well for future protection of biodiversity on the east side of Ballarat. The full VCAT report can be read at:
http://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/vic/VCAT/2024/313.html

2. Heritage Festival Mine Walk
   1pm Sunday 19^th May 2024.
   

 Start and end point – CHW Wilson St Water Tanks, Wilson St, Canadian. (Red dot on map below)
Distance – 8.3 kilometres time, approximately 3+ hrs

Trail Condition – The trail is on undulating bush tracks and trails. It crosses gullies, creeks and occasional steep hills.

Solid footwear, rain and wind proof clothing is essential. Recommended to carry water and any other personal needs. There are no facilities along the way. Light refreshments at the end. A bifold walk map will be handed out at the start.

3. May General Meeting: Focus “Urban Ripple” project

 

The focus of the 7pm 15^th May FoCC general meeting will be the recent Victorian Government $701000 Urban Ripple waterways restoration project.

The Guest Speaker will be Ms Julie White, Project Manager of the Urban Ripple project. The project plan is to restore 13 sites along Ballarat waterways with extensive weed control, then replanting with local species.

The project was awarded to the Bunanyung Landscape Alliance in partnership with The Yarrowee Leigh Catchment Group (YLCG). The FoCC is a member of the YLCG and has four sites designated for restoration works in 2025 and 2026. These are: Lal Lal Drain, Canadian Creek, Soapy’s Dam and Sailors Gully Creek. The presentation will outline how the project will unfold over the next 2 years and how friends may become involved in the program.

FoCC General Meeting
7pm Wednesday 15^th May 2024
Earth Ed Science Centre
Olympic Avenue, Mt Clear.  All welcome.

4. Koalas

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.

All Koala sightings are entered into the iNaturalist online data base.

5. 10000 step trail closer to reality

Recent works on Baileys Rd and Penny Leaf track have created a 10000-step trail in Woowookarung Regional Park.

The idea of 10000 step trail was first proposed by the FoCC in 2017.

The FoCC 2017 submission to the Woowookarung Regional Parks Master Plan consultation, proposed a 10000-step central trail linking the Lookout, Amphitheatre and Visitor Centre as shown above. Note: The Dementia Trail Car Park and Rotunda have effectively become the visitor centre at present. The Woowookarung Regional Parks Strategic Directions Plan 2018 adopted the request and described the trail as:

Central circuit (The 10,000 Steps). This circuit also forms the 10,000 Steps circuit, which is proposed to connect many of the exciting and unique features of the park  Ref: Page 60 WRP Strategic Directions Plan 2018

The establishment of the Dementia Trail and the Grasstree Nature Trail within the Central Circuit (10000 step trail) and the reconstruction of Baileys Rd, means the 10000-step trail is now a reality on the ground as the map below shows.

“The Amphitheatre: Located on the 10,000 Steps circuit, the Amphitheatre (named by the Friends of the Canadian Corridor) sits within the topography of the park overlooking Ballarat. There is an opportunity to provide lookout platforms, picnic tables and seating that offer views across the regenerating former plantation blocks towards Ballarat. This location may provide an opportunity to tell the important story of the forest’s regeneration and the strategies to reunite the forest fragments such as the ecological corridors. Other stories include the water races on the nearby hillside.”

Ref: Page 62 WRP Strategic Directions Plan 2018

6. Park works: The W Connector

Parks Victoria have upgraded a connecting track between Baileys Rd and the W Track. The track has been resurfaced with a 100m long raised trail section across boggy ground.

Just completed Connector trail. Image 24^th April 2024.

7. Bird of the Month XXX (April 2024)
   Wedge-tailed Eagle (Aquila audax)

 

Milestone BotM editions such as this, call for a BIG, blockbuster write-up!  And no bird is bigger in size, spirit, or reputation than the mighty Wedge-tailed Eagle!  A popular childhood favourite (including that of this bird nerd!), this majestic bird is proudly shrouded in First Nations’ cultural significance, most notably being revered by Indigenous Victorians as the inspiration behind the Dreamtime legend of Bunjil.  Elsewhere, ‘Wedgies’ features prominently in pop culture iconography.  Physically, Wedge-tailed Eagles are imposing, growing to a massive total length of ~1m, with wingspans of 2.3m, and weights of ~5kg.  Such large dimensions rank it as Australia’s largest raptor (bird of prey), outsizing the second-largest, the White-bellied Sea-Eagle, by 15% in total length, and 25% in weight, while ‘Wedgies’ are over four times heavier than the other of Australia’s three eagles, the Little Eagle (itself smaller than several other non-eagle Australian raptors).  Certainly, this sheer size lends itself to Wedgies exuding an aura of fearlessness and all-conquering domination of the food chain, which is possibly the reason for its scientific epithet of ‘audax’ which means ‘bold’ in Latin.  Food chain aside, its aura extends to its commanding presence (very palpable!) in flight, as it soars high (regularly reaching elevations of 1,800m, or as high as 3,000m), gracefully, and powerfully, completely resistant to even strong winds.  Let me tell you, this is an awe-inspiring, larger-than-life, mega-bird!
The identifying features of the Wedge-tailed Eagle are of course its long, diamond-shaped tail; long, broad wings, with prominent ‘fingers’ (the wingtip feathers are more technically known as ‘primaries’), often held upswept in a shallow ‘V’; ‘trousers’ fully-feathered down to the off-white feet; and long, ivory-coloured bill.  The plumage darkens with age throughout at least their first 10 years (breeding age at 6-7 years), going from mid or chocolate brown, to blackish brown.  Juveniles have paler tones of golden-brown or reddish brown on their crown, nape, mantle, and shoulders down to mid outerwing, while the breast feathers are fringed with those paler tones, and the underwings are faintly barred.  As with most raptors, females are larger than males, but otherwise the sexes are visually indistinguishable.

Wedge-tailed Eagles tend to be silent, but may utter ‘disyllabic and wavering trill-like whistles and yelps in social/territorial contexts’.  Other cues to alert you to its presence are the recurring dynamic of aggressive and vociferous mobbing tactics by smaller birds, such as magpies, ravens, lapwings, Magpie-larks, Willie Wagtail, butcherbird, falcons, and Brown Goshawks, etc., which harass Wedgies as an anti-predator alarm system.

Wedge-tailed Eagles are widespread across the Australian mainland and Tasmania (also New Guinea), inhabiting a wide range of habitats throughout, most notably thrive in treed open country, woodland, and forests.  Favourable conditions for a habitat, include: availability of tall tree(s) to support their ample nest(s), and provide a high vantage point; abundance of mammalian prey; and undulating terrain (e.g. hills, mountains) as these topographic features promote the updraughts on which ‘Wedgies’ so routinely soar.

Wedge-tailed Eagles exploit a diverse range of prey species.  Primarily, they target mammalian prey, with dietary staples including rabbits, and brushtail possums (which Wedgies extract from tree cavities).  Secondary diet options include hares, ringtail possums, wallabies, kangaroos (hunts may be cooperative amongst 2-15 Wedgies), birds of all sizes (e.g. galahs, cockatoos, ducks), lizards (e.g. Bearded Dragon), and roadkill.  Supplementing their diet, in infrequent/rare cases of opportunism, are rodents, feral cats, foxes, Dingo, bats (both flying-fox and microbat), Koalas, raptors, Short-beaked Echidna, Platypus, venomous snakes, fish, Cane Toads, and insects.  The Wedgies’ formidability is such that almost everything with the exception of humans (no recorded human deaths), pythons, crocodiles, and large undulates, is able to be overpowered.  Fortunately, despite common misconception, livestock is generally only exploited as carrion (i.e. cleaning up the dead).  Wedgies can carry away prey of at least 5kg, but heavier prey may be eaten in situ by up to 20 Wedgies, or covered with vegetation debris and cached for later.

Wedge-tailed Eagles are monogamous and pairs breed for life.  Breeding season is April through September, but this may vary from location to location, and year to year, dependent on local food availability (cases are known where pairs defer breeding for four years straight).  Breeding pairs may engage in aerial courtship, whereby they may choreograph loop-de-loop manoeuvres – a sight to behold!  Both parents contribute to nest-building, incubation, and young-feeding duties.  Clutch sizes are typically 1 or 2 eggs, but sometimes up to 4.  Wedgie eggs (150g) are 3 times larger than chicken eggs, and a clutch of three eggs would see the expectant mother carrying 10% of her body weight in eggs.  Incubation lasts 45 days, and the male will primarily deliver food to the female, and occasionally relieve her of incubation duties.  Fledging occurs at 67-95 days.  Up to two-thirds of Wedgies may die sometime between fledging and 3-5 years, but adults have quite low mortality rates and can live for the better part of half a century (certainly, captive individuals have been known to live to ~40 years). Nests are large (typically 1.8m wide) structures of sticks, generally reused year after year for decades, and progressively reinforced with sticks to the point where the nest may be 3.9m deep and a hefty 400kg!  The nest interior is shallow (~30cm deep), and lined with green leaves and twigs.  The nests tend to be in the tallest tree and/or a tree on elevated ground (for surveillance purposes), but dwarf trees (1-2m), telegraph poles, power pylons, cliff ledges, rock piles, and hills are all known, occasional alternative nest sites.  Nests may number 2-3 per pair to provide alternative nurseries.  Occasionally, Wedgies may inherit and upsize disused Whistling Kite nests, while Wedgies’ disused nests may be inherited by Pacific Black Ducks, falcons or owls, and active nests may even support nesting co-tenants such as finches, pardalotes, brusthtail possums.

Wedge-tailed Eagles are classified as ‘Least Concern’ globally, ‘Endangered’ federally, and ‘Secure’ in Victoria, but are said to be ‘Increasing’ in population trend.  The species’ threats are illegal poisoning and shooting; collisions with cars (owing to its scavenging habit), powerlines, and wind turbines; and natural disasters such as fire and drought for its potential to reduce nest site and food availability.

Next time you wander through Woowookarung Regional Park (or adjacent farmland), or another local forest patch, keep a lookout (remember to observe the cues of magpies and other harassers) above for flyovers by the majestic, pest-controlling, carcass removalist, awe-inspiring mega-birds that are the mighty Wedge-tailed Eagle!
A pair of eagles and a tiny bird above right, seeing them off…

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).

8. Four headed Grasstree

Grasstrees are arguably a headline feature of Woowookarung Regional Park. Most Austral Grasstrees are single headed.

This most unusual four headed grasstree with matching spikes was observed west of Boak Rd in Mt Clear recently.

9. City of Ballarat Draft Biodiversity Strategy update

The draft Biodiversity Strategy was put for consultation at the beginning of April. The consultation is due to close at the end of April. After a review of the My Say and submissions the strategy should go to the Council for adoption in June.

The FoCC has made a submission which will be posted on the FoCC website in due course.

10. The spirit of Huckleberry Fin lives on. 

Spotted south of Recreation Road in the regrowth forest on ex plantation land.

11. ABC focus on rubbish and the Victorian container deposit scheme.

ABC Ballarat contacted the FoCC about rubbish and the Victorian container deposit scheme. The ABC enquiry was about whether deposit scheme had had any discernible impact. A quick Vox Pop of members elicited the following collective response:

• Friends reported less drink bottles and cans in our Parks and along roadsides.
• The friends were unsure as to whether less bottles and cans are being discarded or that more are being picked up by children, families and groups for fundraising.
• Local Park Rangers have observed a drop in bottle and can litter at places like the Lookout in Woowookarung Regional Park.
• One source of rubbish that has reduced considerably is the plastic straw, perhaps as a result of the ban of single use straws in February 2023.
• Friends feedback noted that household rubbish and building waste along roads is still a problem. Building sites generate a lot of waste where it is often blown onto roads and adjacent parks and forest. Suggestions were for more to be done about secure waste skip bins, even fines for overflowing skip bins on sites.”

12. Extra activities and opportunities

Ballarat South Uniting Church Breakfast and Pilgrim walk. The walk is 8.3kms long from Buninyong Uniting Church, through Union Jack reserve and the forest to the North of Buninyong and returning via the Geelong Rd shared trail. Good footwear, all weather clothing, drink bottle essential.
Details below:

13. Rubbish dumpers, thieves and vandals

The FoCC encourages Park friends to report track vandals, 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.
Useful information: Parks Victoria Woowookarung email address: woowookarung@parks.vic.gov.au

• City of Ballarat wildlife information:
  https://www.ballarat.vic.gov.au/me/pets-and-animals/wildlife
• Wildlife Victoria (03) 8400 7300
• 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.

The main point to reiterate is for any matters related to wildlife crime, to call Crime Stoppers.

16. Membership Membership runs from 1st January to 31st December each year, Membership fee is $20 per year. New members after July are credited to the next year. Membership forms are available online or email foccinfo@gmail.com
17. FoCC Facebook and webpage

www.facebook.com/friendsofcanadiancorridor/

Rob is overseeing the webpage  webmaster@focc.asn.au

The FoCC has over 1100 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.

17. 2024 Proposed Calendar

The calendar is prepared by the FoCC committee.

Spikey News features

1. The Bunny Line
2. Clean Up Australia Day
3. City of Ballarat Draft Biodiversity Strategy released
4. April General Meeting postponed
5. Bird of the month
6. RMIT University field camp at Pax Hill
7. Cherry Ballart and Fern Loop walk
8. Park Works
9. Koalas
10. Deceased Antechinus
11. Last call for FoCC 2024 Membership
12. Extra activities and opportunities
13. Rubbish dumpers, thieves and vandals
14. Useful information
15. Membership
16. Facebook and Web
17. Calendar

1. The Bunny Line

A Brilliant evening on Wednesday night March 13^th with author and historian Norman Houghton at the Earth Ed Science Centre Mt Clear.

Norman entertained the large audience with the story of the rise and fall of the Bunny Line. The Bunny line was the popular name for the Ballarat to Buninyong Railway which ran as passenger service between 1889 and 1930 with freight hanging on until 1947.

The final closure came in 1986 when the Ballarat to Eureka freight stub line closed.

Anyone wishing to purchase a copy of the “Bunny Line” should contact Trainworld at 290 Bay St Brighton Vic, Ph (03-95966342) or https://www.trainworld.com.au

2. Clean up Australia Day

“Ballarat residents young and old have donned gloves and high-vis to help clean up the Canadian Forest as a part of Clean Up Australia Day.

Friends of Canadian Corridor secretary Jeff Rootes was coordinating clean-up efforts along Wilson Street in Ballarat’s Canadian State Forest.

He said the group tackled a different section of the park each year, but have seen little improvement in the amount of rubbish left in the forest.

“It’s all mostly litter, fast food, drink cans, things like this, and some of this [area] gets hit pretty badly by rubbish dumpers,” he said.

“There’s usually a dump a week along this road, and Parks [Victoria] are very good at picking it up, but we’re catching the bit in the middle.”

“It’s consistent [the amount] it’s the same sort of stuff, household cleanouts, garden waste, I think it’s consistent which is sad to say.”

At the event, Member for Eureka Michaela Settle told The Courier clean up Australia day was about the community getting together and respecting the land.

Article courtesy of the Courier Facebook on 4^th March.

3. City of Ballarat Draft Biodiversity Strategy released

The City of Ballarat Draft Biodiversity Strategy was presented to Council on Wednesday 27^th March 2024.

The Council endorsed the release of the Biodiversity Strategy – Healing Country Together, for public exhibition for four weeks during April 2024.

Well done City of Ballarat!

The FoCC will provide more information to readers as it becomes available. Friends are encouraged read, critique and comment on the strategy.

The strategy involves 13 goals accompanied by 32 actions that support Biodiversity.

The broad thrust of the goals and actions are in line with many of the FoCC’s suggestions, observations and requests that have been made over the years.

Two examples are:

Action 8 is to establish a “Biodiversity Reference Group” a group that amongst other things may address the lack of a Koala committee, a requirement integral to the City’s Koala Plan of Management.

Action 30 is to map wildlife corridors across Ballarat, an action the FoCC has been requesting since inception in 2012.

4. April General Meeting postponed

The April general meeting April has been rescheduled for May 15^th 2024.

5. Koalas

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.

All Koala sightings are entered into iNaturalist online data base.

https://www.instagram.com/ballaratwildlifepark/p/C4RdWtXvtI9/?img_index=1

Hi, Sadly I just thought I would let you know that a koala that I regularly saw in a certain area of the Union Jack reserve loop was dead in the scrub today.  Looks as though she/he has been there for some days.  Face down, appears intact, so hopefully old age??

Regards Jodie, 3^rd March 2024.

See item 7 on Page 5 of this issue.

And

• Sighting in Eaglehawk Rd, Lal Lal by Bill 24^th February 2024.
• Koala growling on Mt Buninyong 12^th March 2024. Report courtesy of Carol.

6. Bird of the Month XXIX (March 2024)

Brown Thornbill (Acanthiza pusilla)

Fancy a bird that has a very cheeky, and innovative, anti-predator cheat code?  How about one that is so often around, but so commonly overlooked?  If you’ve ever wondered ‘what was that little brown job (LBJ) that annoyingly hopped behind some leaves?’, or ‘what was that sweet chatter call?  All the small birds’ songs sound so similar?’ – what you saw and heard may have been this month’s Bird of the Month (among other contenders, granted).  Allow me to enlighten you to the whacky and wonderful Brown Thornbill!

One of Australia’s tiniest birds, at 10cm short (tail included) and 7g light, Brown Thornbills are one feathered friend that will see you getting your money’s worth for your binoculars (if you don’t have a pair, there’s item no.1 on your next birthday or Xmas list!).  One of four species of Ballarat’s local Thornbills, the Brown Thornbill is not as plain, dull and boring as the name suggests.  Its dark-red iris, and tinges of rufous on the rump and (scalloped) forehead, together set it apart from its fellow (local) thornbills.  Additionally, it has olive-brown upperparts, streaked throat, buff (beige) belly, and grey-brown tail to complete the get-up.

An inhabitant of biomes with a dense shrub layer, Brown Thornbills occur in heathlands, woodlands, and forests – dry and wet, as well as parks and gardens.  The species is widespread from coast to inland (to elevations of up to 1,200m), and across the urban gradient (though, not so much inner city), throughout southeast Australia.

Such is its inextricable link to shrub layers; Brown Thornbills may be vulnerable to bushfires.  The species’ conservation status is ‘Least Concern’ and of ‘Stable’ population trend, while it is considered ‘Secure’ in Victoria and federally.  The upshot of its relative vulnerability to bushfire, is the fact that notionally, it is advantaged by areas where successional regrowth provides ‘pioneer’ communities of scrub, which are to its liking.  Brown Thornbills do, however, forage at all heights, from the ground to the canopy.

Brown Thornbills primarily are insectivores, but may also supplement their diet with seeds, fruit, and nectar.  Brown Thornbills tend to feed in pairs, or family parties.  Said to not flock as readily as other Thornbills, Brown Thornbills may, however, congregate in mixed-species flocks with other Thornbills, during non-breeding season.

Breeding season is July through to January.  Pairs (which are virtually indistinguishable) occupy territories year-round, with bonds said to be long-lasting (monogamous).  Females build the dome-shaped nest, and incubate the clutch of 2-4 eggs, while feeding duties are shared between both parents.  The nests are small, designed with a partially hooded entrance, and constructed out of grass and bark; lined with feathers, fur and soft plant down; and usually built low down in prickly bushes and ferns.  Incubation lasts 19 days, and young leave the nest (fledge) within 16 days.  Offspring remain with the parents until early autumn, before dispersing from the parent’s territory.  Thus, the population, at time of writing, is brimming with exclusively mature individuals.

Brown Thornbills are vocal year-round, and boast a surprisingly loud and deep call that belies its tiny size.  The signature note is ‘tzzt’ (or ‘tchirt’) and may be composed in pleasant trills, or harsh, rapidly repeated utterings when agitated or foraging.  Trills may follow the signature note with ‘to-weet-et-wrrtt’ and end the song with a longer, higher note.  Vocal mimicry of other species’ calls may also be interspersed throughout their renditions.

And how about that cheeky anti-predator cheat code?!  Well, while on the topic of mimicry, the Brown Thornbill, when under threat by a Pied Currawong (a predator of Thornbills), have been known to imitate the alarm calls made by rosellas, honeyeaters, and robins when a goshawk is on the hunt.  The Pied Currawong, which themselves are wary of goshawks, heed the (false) alarm, and put their thornbill-hunt on hold to watch their own back – little do they know, there was no goshawk, and they’ve been out-smarted by their prey.  How impressively innovative and deceitful!  You can read more about this anti-predator cheat code at: https://www.australiangeographic.com.au/news/2015/06/thornbill-scares-off-predator-by-mimicking-hawk-warning/

Next time you wander through Woowookarung Regional Park, or another local forest patch, calibrate your focals ready for views of these unjustly plain-named, deceitful impressionist, pocket rockets that are Brown Thornbills!

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).

7.RMIT University field camp at Pax Hill

Around 90 third year RMIT Environmental Science students completed a week-long field camp at Pax Hill Ballarat recently. The students were involved in a wide range of activities across Ballarat including presentations from the FoCC and Parks Victoria about the establishment and management of Woowookarung Regional Park.

8. Cherry Ballart and Fern Loop walk

A lovely walk around the Cherry Ballart Loop in the evening of Wednesday 27^th March. The weather was perfect. Fourteen walkers arrived to hear about the Cremorne Rifle Range, rare plants, interesting mine sites and an unknown laneway.

9. Park works

Baileys Rd

Parks Victoria contractors have filled in the large ruts and bog holes along Baileys Rd between Boundary Rd and Recreation Rd.

Baileys Rd had become rutted and full of bog holes from 4WD use, which have now been filled in. Some 30 truckloads of basalt gravel will be brought in to complete the surface the road. The road is an important management track and will be much better for cyclists and walkers.

Sailors Gully vehicle access changes

Bog holes on tracks and around Sailors Gully, Hocking Avenue and Dozed Track have been filled and repaired for use by cyclists and walkers. The Eco Blade removed gorse from along the track that connects Lavery Ave to Dozed Track.

67 bollards have been installed to control vehicle access with gates to be installed in several locations. Residents around Sailors Gully will be able their access at the rear of their properties via a Parks Vic gate access system.

10. Deceased Antechinus

A dead antechinus was found on the loop track in the Gorge a some weeks ago.

“The males live for 1 year and the females live for 2 to keep the species going. They procreate for 8 or more hours after which the males die, not from exhaustion but from genetics. Tests have proved this, they had 2 sets of males they let one set mate, the other didn’t. They all died at a similar time”. Comments by Peter.

11. Last call for FoCC 2024 Membership

Membership of the FoCC helps the FoCC in its advocacy, education and activities in support of the corridor.

All 2023 FoCC members have been notified that their 2024 membership is due and over half have already renewed.

Membership runs from 1^st January to 31^st December each year, Membership fee is $20 per year. Children of members are free.

To renew your membership:

• Bank transfer to details: Bendigo Bank Buninyong BSB   633000    Account No 184147098

Note: Please add your name to the bank transfer and email  foccinfo@gmail.com your name and the date of the transaction. If your postal address has changed, please let us know.

• You can pay for membership via Trybooking at:  https://www.trybooking.com/CFLFU
• Cost is $20.50 via Trybooking. You can also make a donation of any size via this process.
• Payment to the Treasurer at a FoCC meeting or

Cheques should be made out to “FoCC Incorporated” and addressed to:

FoCC Treasurer

PO Box 83,

Mt Clear Vic, 3350.

New Members

New members are most welcome:

Applications after July are credited to the next year. Membership forms are available online or email foccinfo@gmail.com

Thank you to all the 2023 members for their renewals.

12. Extra activities and opportunities

Black Swamp Burrumbeet.

Black Swamp Burrumbeet is a wildlife haven on the south west side of Burrumbeet.

An overview and a great read about the wildlife value of the property can be found at:

https://breaze.org.au/editor/newest-articles/saving-black-swamp-a-local-campaign

13. Rubbish dumpers, thieves and vandals

The FoCC encourages Park friends to report track vandals, 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.

14. Useful information

• Parks Victoria Woowookarung email address:

woowookarung@parks.vic.gov.au

• City of Ballarat wildlife information:

https://www.ballarat.vic.gov.au/me/pets-and-animals/wildlife

• DELWP 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.

The main point to reiterate is for any matters related to wildlife crime, to call Crime Stoppers.

15. Membership

Membership runs from 1^st January to 31^st December each year, Membership fee is $20 per year.

Reminders are sent out after the November Annual Meeting.

New members after July are credited to the next year.

Membership forms are available online or email foccinfo@gmail.com

16. FoCC facebook and webpage

www.facebook.com/friendsofcanadiancorridor/

Rob is overseeing the webpage  webmaster@focc.asn.au

The FoCC has over 1100 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.

17. 2024 Proposed Calendar

The calendar is prepared by the FoCC committee.

April 21st	Memory walk jog at Lake Wendouree. Dementia Australia. https://www.memorywalk.com.au/event/ballarat/home
May 15th	FoCC general meeting. Recheduled.
May 19th	Ballarat Heritage Festival: 1pm Guided north end mining walk
June 19th	FoCC General Meeting: Focus on Fauna – Echidnas, birds of prey etc
July 21st	Revegetation planting at Recreation Road Bushland Reserve
August 4th	8th Annual tree planting. Woowookarung RP, Dozed Rd area.
September	FoCC Sunday afternoon visit to Clarkesdale Bird Sanctuary Date Tba
October	Great Australian Backyard Bird Count
October	9th Annual Wildflower Walk. Date Tba
November 20th	8th Annual Meeting
December 6th	Drinks at the Lookout

Spikey News is published on behalf of the Friends of Canadian Corridor Incorporated. Registered No A0097535B.

The purpose of “Spikey News” is to link the community to Woowookarung Regional Park and the Canadian Corridor

The FoCC is a registered Landcare Group with Landcare Victoria Inc and a member of the Yarrowee Leigh Catchment Group.

Circulation this issue is to 1170 1180 subscribers. Welcome to all new friends.

Spikey News is generally published monthly. Friends wishing to contribute articles to Spikey News may do so by emailing foccinfo@gmail.com

Feel free to circulate widely including doctor’s waiting rooms, work offices, friends and neighbours

We are proud to walk this land with the Wadawurrung people and all other First Nations people.

Any opinions expressed in Spikey News are made in by the editors in good faith and do not officially represent Parks Victoria or the FoCC.

Web – www.focc.asn.au     Facebook https://www.facebook.com/friendsofcanadiancorridor/

Unsubscribe by emailing foccinfo@gmail.com

Friends wishing to add articles to the FoCC update may do so by emailing foccinfo@gmail.com

Feel free to circulate widely including doctor’s waiting rooms, work offices, friends and neighbours.

 

 

Spikey News features

1. Cherry Ballart and Fern Loop evening walk
2. Clean Up Australia Day Sunday March 3^rd
3. Bunny Line Book released and local talk
4. Bird of the Month XXVIII (February 2024)
5. Koala sightings
6. Natures Stewards courses for 2024
7. Green links grant announcement
8. Smart Living Expo Buninyong Sunday February 25^th
9. FoCC 2024 Membership 2024 now due
10. Sean Dooley at the Ballarat Observatory
11. Extra activities and opportunities

1. Cherry Ballart and Fern Loop evening walk

The FoCC is hosting an evening walk on the Cherry Ballarat and Fern loop at 6pm on Wednesday March 27^th 2024. This walk was previously postponed in February.

The trail has ups and downs on a couple of steep bits. Good walking footwear and long trousers are recommended.

Bring own coats, mossie repellent and water. Sunset on the day is 7.25pm, plenty of time for the walk.

The FoCC will be releasing the new Loop trail guide at the walk.

Meeting point

Cathie Street car park at the corner of Cathie St and York St Ballarat East. Note: parking is tight at the car park and is best on the city side of York St or Cathie Street and walk the last 50 to 100 metres.

2. Clean Up Australia Day

The FoCC is hosting a Clean Up Australia day site on Sunday March 3^rd 2023, 10am to noon.

The meeting point is the Wilson St Water Tanks, Wilson St Canadian.

The clean-up will focus on the roads and trails around the northern end of the Park. Solid footwear and clothing recommended. Gloves and bags supplied.

3. Bunny Line Book released and local talk

The “Bunny Line” will be the focus of a talk at 7pm on 13^th March at Earth Ed, Olympic Avenue, Mt Clear.

Tickets are free and can be booked at:

https://www.trybooking.com/CPFRW

Norm Houghton author and historian will be talking about his new book “The Bunny Line”.

Trains ran between the city centre and Buninyong from 1889, primarily in the form of little tank engines, particularly F class locomotives, with two carriages.

“By the late-1920s, numbers began dropping off due to increasing motor car ownership. The service was discontinued in 1930 on economic grounds and replaced with a Davis bus.”

The line south of the Eureka area ceased operation in 1947 and was pulled from the ground in 1955.

Now, parts of the line can be walked, run, or cycled as part of the recreational Bunny Trail pathway.

“It renews its role as a transport link,” Houghton said. “I hope people walking along the rail trail will think about what used to chuff up and down the railway, and what was on them.”

Houghton has a professional background in cultural heritage management as an historian, archivist, and administrator, having worked at Sovereign Hill and the former Gold Museum, and the Geelong Heritage Centre.

Photographs for The ‘Bunny’ Line were sourced from the Buninyong and District Historical Society and Victorian Railways archives. The book is available at trainworld.net.au.”

Excerpts courtesy of Ballarat Times 5^th January 2024.

4. Bird of the Month XXVIII (February 2024)

Australian Owlet-Nightjar (Aegotheles cristatus)

Hollow check!  Nesting. 1, 2, 3.  Read me loud and clear?  Good.  It’s time now to again fly (no pun intended) the flag for our nocturnal feathered friends.  This is a nocturnal bird with a difference!  A winged, tailed, beady-eyed fluffball tiny enough to fit in smaller hollows, and therefore compatible with Eucalyptus communities of younger age class (enter Woowookarung and it’s 70-odd year-old forest community).  And not only that, but it is one nocturnal bird that obligingly reveals itself during the day, by sunning itself at its hollow entrance.  Hence, we must look twice at each hollow we come across.  Presenting, the Australian Owlet-Nightjar!

Cute and unique (more on that later), the little-known Australian Owlet-Nightjar is the smallest (21-25cm), and perhaps most widespread and abundant of Australia’s nocturnal birds.  It is an insectivore that comes in a variety of different colours, and occupies a diverse range of treed habitats (all but rainforests), continent-wide.  The species consists of two races/subspecies; a mainland race and a Tasmanian race, and five colour morphs, including dark-grey; pale-grey; grey with orange face/collar; orange/rufous; and orange with dark crown.  These colour morphs are not influenced by race or parentage, but rather biogeography, given the cooler, temperate areas (including Tasmania) tend to be darker with less orange morphs, whereas the drier regions have more orange and paler morphs.

Typical of many nocturnal birds, Australian Owlet-Nightjars have large eyes, and much like Frogmouths and Nightjars, it has whiskers (or more technically ‘rictal bristles’).  Its eyes do not strongly reflect light beams (whereas other nocturnal birds’ eyes glow red).  Another visually prominent feature is its blackish head stripes – two eye stripes that run from atop the eye down to the nape, and some may also have a third, central stripe on the crown.  Given bird experts have such a precise attention-to-detail, seldom will one find in an ID guide, a bird compared to a mammal – but Australian Owlet-Nightjar, owing to its head stripes, whiskers and tiny bill, is described by Menkhorst et al. (2019) as appearing to have a ‘rather mammalian visage (surprisingly reminiscent of a Sugar Glider when peering from tree hollow)’.

Failing a visual encounter, fear not, you can easily identify Australian Owlet-Nightjars by its voice.  It is said that ‘Once learned, [it] is one of the most commonly heard nocturnal sounds’.  Calls are frequently sounded at dusk, then at intervals through the night, and occasionally even during daylight, from the roost hollow.  The typical call is described as a ‘Diagnostic, high-pitched, “chirr”, repeated 1, 2 or 3 times’, while the alarm call is a ‘shrill screech’.

Why evolutionary tree isolation matters: While similar-looking nocturnal birds, Frogmouths and Nightjars, belong to separate families (Podargidae and Caprimulgidae, respectively) within the same (Caprimulgiformes) Order (which makes them equivalently related as cats, dogs, hyenas and bears are to each other), the Australian Owlet-Nightjar is Australia’s lone representative of an entirely different Order of its own, that of Apodiformes.  Thus, the Australian Owlet-Nightjar’s uniqueness is such that it is way off on a distant branch (with no branchlet off-shoots) of the evolutionary tree, and is not even a bear or hyena to the cats and dogs of Frogmouths and Nightjars (despite misleadingly being namesakes).  This uniqueness is significant as it means the Australian Owlet-Nightjar proudly contributes a ‘phylogenetic’ diversity on a continent and local scale, where functional roles are saturated by the Orders of Psittaciformes (Parrots & Cockatoos) and Passeriformes (a diverse Order of songbirds which include Honeyeaters, Magpies/Butcherbirds & Currawongs, Ravens, Fairywrens, Pardalotes, Thornbills, Whistlers/Shrikethrushes, Robins, Finches, and just about any small-medium bushland bird with the exception of raptors, Kingfishers/Kookaburras, Cuckoos, and Pigeons/Doves).  Given no other species is armed with the specific adaptations to fulfil its ecological niche, the Australian Owlet-Nightjar is irreplaceable – and we must protect it against any decline towards extinction.

I digress, back to the Australian Owlet-Nightjar.  This nocturnal insectivore’s flight is described as ‘buoyant’ and ‘manoeuvrable’, thanks to those round wings, and long (barred) tail which acts as a rudder.  These flight capabilities bode well for its effectiveness at preying on insects.  Foraging is carried out within the (year-round) territory, and normally done in pairs.  Techniques include seizing flying insects from open airspace, and pouncing from perch-start on ground-dwelling or arboreal (tree-borne) prey, the latter of which has been likened to a flycatcher (evoking our previous Bird of the Month, the Satin Flycatcher).

The Australian Owlet-Nightjar’s breeding season is July through December.  The species broods one clutch of 2-5 eggs per breeding season, once a year.  Both parents construct the nest, incubate the eggs, and care for the young.  The nest is a bed of green leaves, placed in a suitable tree-hollow or rock crevice, sometimes quite low to the ground.  Hollows tend to be used as a roost site, year-round, during non-breeding season.  Artificial nest boxes may be adopted, as was the case with Photographer Rob!

Australian Owlet-Nightjar, as a well-adapted, widespread species (also occurring in southern PNG), has a global conservation status of Least Concern, and is of ‘Stable’ population trend.  In Victoria, its conservation status appears to be unknown.  Australian Owlet-Nightjars, and other nocturnal birds, tend to be under-reported (for obvious reasons) in citizen science sightings databases; thus, any data contributions from amateur observers are very valuable!

Next time you wander through Woowookarung Regional Park, or another local forest patch – check every hollow you see twice for this Sugar Glider-masquerading bird, and come dusk, keep your ears attuned to any chirr-ing!

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

5. 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.

Koala scats found on two fences, 100 m apart in the Haymes Rd area Mt Clear (23^rd February 2024 and 26^th February 2024. Images courtesy  of Rob).

Koala rescue on Mt Buninyong reported by Coral, 1^st February 2024.

Koala heard by Susan at Phylands Lane Lal Lal, 9^th February 2024.

Koala heard in night by Hayley at Haymes Rd Mt Clear. 21^st February 2024.

The adventures of Catherine the Koala.

Catherine is a Koala rescued last year, rehabilitated and released into Woowookarung Regional Park by local wildlife carers. Koala Catherine was named after Catherine, young fundraiser for wildlife rescue.

Federation University researchers attached a radio tracker to Catherine upon release, to monitor her movements.

The radio collar detached in January near the Dementia Trail after five months of tracking.

6. Smart Living Expo Buninyong Sunday February 25^th

The FoCC hosted a stall at the 2024 Smart Living Expo Buninyong on Sunday 25^th February 2024 at Royal Park, Buninyong.

7. Green links grant announcement

The Bunanyung Landscape Alliance and its partners, Leigh Catchment Group, Wattle Flat Pootilla Landcare Group, Friends of Canadian Corridor and Friends of Yarrowee

have been awarded a Victorian Government Green Links Program funding grant of $701,000.

The grant is for the purpose of restoring an area of 80.5 hectares along 9.8 kilometres of waterways of the Yarrowee River and its tributaries.

The awarding of the grant was be celebrated by Michaela Settle MP on site at Lal Lal Drain, Larter Street, Canadian, on Friday 1^st March, 2024.

The project involves restoring the Lal Lal Drain site, and 12 other wetland, creek and river sites. The focus is weed reduction and restoration of vegetation and habitat over a three-year period (2024-2026).

Most waterways within Ballarat are degraded, the result of gold mining and past neglect.

8. Natures Stewards courses for 2024

After two great Spring Nature Stewards programs in 2022 & 2023 the City of Ballarat are proud to announce that the first Autumn Nature Stewards program is open to registrations!

If you, friends, family or colleagues are interested in learning more about the natural environment in a fun, friendly and engaging way then Nature Stewards is for you:

Course info: https://vnpa.org.au/programs/nature-stewards-3/

Application page: https://vnpa.org.au/apply-for-nature-stewards/

Applications close Sun March 24^th 2024 and spaces are limited

This program is sponsored by the City of Ballarat and is an excellent program to learn more about the natural environment.

Great for volunteers, friends’ groups and landholders.

9. FoCC 2024 Membership 2024 now due

Membership of the FoCC helps the FoCC in its advocacy, education and activities in support of the corridor.

All 2023 FoCC members have been notified that their 2024 membership is due and over half have already renewed.

Membership runs from 1^st January to 31^st December each year, Membership fee is $20 per year. Children of members are free.

To renew your membership:

• Bank transfer to details: Bendigo Bank Buninyong BSB   633000    Account No 184147098

Note: Please add your name to the bank transfer and email  foccinfo@gmail.com your name and the date of the transaction. If your postal address has changed, please let us know.

• You can pay for membership via Trybooking at:  https://www.trybooking.com/CFLFU
• Cost is $20.50 via Trybooking. You can also make a donation of any size via this process.
• Payment to the Treasurer at a FoCC meeting or

Cheques should be made out to “FoCC Incorporated” and addressed to:

FoCC Treasurer

PO Box 83,

Mt Clear Vic, 3350.

New Members

New members are most welcome:

Applications after July are credited to the next year. Membership forms are available online or email foccinfo@gmail.com

Most 2023 members have already renewed. Receipts will be emailed out in the next week.

10. Sean Dooley at the Ballarat Observatory
Sean Dooley the “Birdman” at the Ballarat Observatory for two sessions.
Sean will speak about importance of a dark night for wildlife including migratory birds. Sean Dooley has written for TV comedies like Full Frontal, Hamish and Andy and Spicks and Specks, is author of books such as The Big Twitch. He was also the national birdwatching champion, holding the record for seeing the most birds seen in one year. Sean Dooley is the Birdman.

Sean’s writing about birds is “driven by the desire to connect people with nature. Conservation can’t happen without people and people won’t bother to care unless they have some connection to it”. Articles by Sean can be found here.

We want to share our important International Dark Sky Week message with as many people around Australia and indeed from anywhere on our beautiful planet, on ZOOM, link below to book.

    BOOKINGS

  1.30pm -2.30-pm Wednesday 3rd  April Student Session  in person      

           Register for Zoom Afternoon Session Here

       BOOK  7.00pm – 9.00pm Wednesday 3rd April Family   Session in person

Register for Zoom Evening Session Here      

11. Extra activities and opportunities

Tailings Dam Community Safety Action Group Inc. (TDCSAG) has a public appeal for CrowdFunding in aid of our VCAT Hearing dispute with the City of Ballarat over their conditional approval of construction of a tailings dam across the road from residential housing in Mount Clear, as detailed in the following links?

https://tailingsdamcommunitymountclear.com/

https://gofund.me/fd94802c

Green Earth Kids

Are launching a childrens creativity and wellness centre in Ballarat that has environment as the central theme.

More info: https://www.facebook.com/greenearthkids1/

12. Rubbish dumpers, thieves and vandals

The FoCC encourages Park friends to report track vandals, 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.

13. Useful information

Parks Victoria Woowookarung email address:

woowookarung@parks.vic.gov.au

• City of Ballarat wildlife information:

https://www.ballarat.vic.gov.au/me/pets-and-animals/wildlife

• 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.

The main point is for any matters related to wildlife crime, call Crime Stoppers.

14. FoCC Facebook and web

The FoCC has well over 1100 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.

Rob is overseeing the webpage.  webmaster@focc.asn.au

15. 2024 Calendar of events

March 3rd	Clean Up Australia, site meeting point. Wilson St Water tanks.
March 13th	“The Bunny Line” a talk by Norm Houghton at Earth Ed Olympic Ave Mt clear 7pm start.
March 27th	Cherry Ballarat and Fern Loop walk. 6pm start.
April 17th	FoCC General Meeting – Biodiversity
April 21st	Memory walk jog at Lake Wendouree. Dementia Australia.
May 19th	Ballarat Heritage Festival: 1pm Guided north end mining walk
June 19th	FoCC General Meeting: Focus on Fauna – Echidnas, birds of prey etc
July 21st	Revegetation planting at Recreation Road Bushland Reserve
August 4th	8th Annual tree planting. Woowookarung RP, Dozed Rd area.
September	FoCC Sunday afternoon visit to Clarkesdale Bird Sanctuary Date Tba
October	Great Australian Backyard Bird Count
October	9th Annual Wildflower Walk. Date Tba
November 20th	8th  Annual Meeting
December 6th	Drinks at the Lookout

Spikey News is published on behalf of the Friends of Canadian Corridor Incorporated. Registered No A0097535B.

The purpose of “Spikey News” is to link the community to Woowookarung Regional Park and the Canadian Corridor

The FoCC is a registered Landcare Group with Landcare Victoria Inc and a member of the Leigh Catchment Group.

Circulation this issue is to 1141 1170 subscribers. Welcome to all new friends.

Spikey News is generally published monthly. Friends wishing to contribute articles to Spikey News may do so by emailing foccinfo@gmail.com

Feel free to circulate widely including doctor’s waiting rooms, work offices, friends and neighbours

We are proud to walk this land with the Wadawurrung people and all other First Nations people.

Any opinions expressed in Spikey News are made in by the editors in good faith and do not officially represent Parks Victoria or the FoCC.

Web – www.focc.asn.au     Facebook https://www.facebook.com/friendsofcanadiancorridor/

Unsubscribe by emailing foccinfo@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. FoCC 2024 Membership 2024 now due.

Membership of the FoCC helps the FoCC in its advocacy, education and activities in support of the corridor. All 2023 FoCC members have been notified that their 2024 membership is due and over half have already renewed. Membership runs from 1^st January to 31^st December each year, Membership fee is $20 per year. Children of members are free.

To renew your membership:
Bank transfer to details: Bendigo Bank Buninyong BSB   633000    Account No 184147098 Note: Please add your name to the bank transfer and email  foccinfo@gmail.com your name and the date of the transaction. If your postal address has changed, please let us know.

• You can pay for membership via Trybooking at:  https://www.trybooking.com/CFLFU
  Cost is $20.50 via Trybooking. You can also make a donation of any size via this process.
• Payment to the Treasurer at a FoCC meeting or Cheques should be made out to “FoCC Incorporated”, addressed to: FoCC Treasurer, PO Box 83, Mt Clear Vic, 3350.

New Members: New members are most welcome: Applications after July are credited to the next year. Membership forms are available online or email foccinfo@gmail.com A membership form accompanies this Spikey News copy.

2. Cherry Ballart and Fern Loop evening walk

The FoCC is hosting an evening walk on the Cherry Ballarat and Fern loop at 7pm on Wednesday February 14^th. The trail has ups and downs on a couple of steep bits. Good walking footwear and long trousers are recommended. Bring own coats, mozzie repellent and water. The FoCC will be releasing a new Loop trail guide at the walk.

Meeting point: Cathie Street car park at the corner of Cathie St and York St Ballarat East. Note parking is tight at the car park. Parking is best on the city side of York St or Cathie Street and walk the last 50 to 100 meters.

3. Bunny Line Book released and local talk

The “Bunny Line” will be the focus of a talk at 7pm on 13^th March at Earth Ed, Olympic Avenue, Mt Clear. Norm Houghton author and historian will be talking about his new book “The Bunny Line”.

Trains ran between the city centre and Buninyong from 1889, primarily in the form of little tank engines, particularly F class locomotives, with two carriages. “By the late-1920s, numbers began dropping off due to increasing motor car ownership. The service was discontinued in 1930 on economic grounds and replaced with a Davis bus.” The line south of the Eureka area ceased operation in 1947 and was pulled from the ground in 1955.
Now, parts of the line can be walked, run, or cycled as part of the recreational Bunny Trail pathway. “It renews its role as a transport link,” Houghton said. “I hope people walking along the rail trail will think about what used to chuff up and down the railway, and what was on them.”

Houghton has a professional background in cultural heritage management as an historian, archivist, and administrator, having worked at Sovereign Hill and the former Gold Museum, and the Geelong Heritage Centre.

Photographs for The ‘Bunny’ Line were sourced from the Buninyong and District Historical Society and Victorian Railways archives. The book is available at trainworld.net.au.”
Excerpts courtesy of Ballarat Times 5^th January 2024

4. XMAS drinks at the Lookout

The 7^th annual FoCC drinks and nibbles at the Lookout was held on Friday 1^st December 2023 in cold and overcast conditions.

5. Bird of the Month XXVII (January 2024)
   Satin Flycatcher (Myiagra cyanoleuca)

Time is running out fast!  Get in quick, and don’t miss out!  The spring/summer migrants will soon be departing for their non-breeding range up north.  And what better focal migrant than the Satin Flycatcher.  Vocally distinct for your ease of identifying its call/song, this chatterbox will announce itself with its vocal presence.  Once you’ve located it by sound, greeting you will be the sleekest of small, feathered friends – well worth a look through binoculars!

Satin Flycatcher is a smallish (15-18cm) songbird, belonging to Family Monarchidae (e.g. Magpie-larks; Fantails, Willie Wagtail, etc.).  The species exhibits sexual dimorphism (meaning males and females have noticeably dissimilar plumages), whereby the male inspires the ‘Satin’ name with its glossy, deep blue-black head, chest, and upperparts, contrasting with its snow-white underparts – dapper like a tuxedo-clad maestro!  The female, meanwhile, has a rich orange-rufous chin, throat and breast, white underparts, and upperparts that are a slightly duskier blue-black.  The species also has a subtle crest, often raised when singing.

Satin Flycatcher typically betrays its whereabouts with its conspicuous vocals – heard first, seen second.  Descriptions of its vocals include ‘repeated, loud, piping “towhee-toowhee”’, ‘clear, high-pitched “to-weir-to-weir-to-weir”’, and ‘repeated, churring, grinding “tzzeep”’.  Also, ‘sharp, metallic, rising whistle: “chwee-wip, chwee-wip, chwee-wip”’, and ‘harsh, grating, buzzes, repeated often’.

The breeding habitat of Satin Flycatcher is moist forests, especially with tall overstorey community, and gullies.  Breeding season is September through March.  Both sexes build the cup-shaped nest, incubate the clutch of three (3) eggs, and feed the young.  The broad-based nest of shredded bark, grass, and lichen, is bound together by spiderwebs, and built into a horizontal branch, at heights of 3-25m.  The incubation period lasts 17 days.

The Satin Flycatcher forages energetically in the mid- upper canopy, taking insects on the wing.

Distribution encompasses temperate Victoria, Tasmania, and coastal/subcoastal NSW, QLD, where it breeds, and PNG and Indonesia where it ‘winters’ (i.e. its non-breeding range).  Satin Flycatcher’s extinction risk is classified as ‘Least Concern’ globally, and ‘Secure’ federally and in Victoria, but the species is undergoing a ‘Decreasing’ population trend, thus considered to be in decline.

Next time you wander through Woowookarung Regional Park, Union Jack Reserve, or another local forest patch – look and listen out for the buzzing, dapper tuxedo-clad maestro that is the Satin Flycatcher!

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, interns as an ecological consultant (ornithologist), and is a member of BirdLife Australia (Ballarat branch).

6. 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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7. Vale Gavin Jamieson

Gavin was an early supporter of the Friends, the Canadian Forest and the move to create a park and a well conservationist.

He had great passion for native species and for bee keeping, His knowledge of eucalyptus species was simply mind boggling.  A sad passing. 

8. Spotted Hyacinth Orchid ( Dipodium pardalinum)

This species is listed as “rare” on the Victorian Department of Environment and Primary Industries’ advisory list of rare or threatened plants in Victoria and “vulnerable” in South Australia. Several other specimens were located on Clay Rd, Clayton St as well as the Lookout.

9. Stubble quail found in Park

A chance sighting a stubble quail and four chicks at the south end of Dozed Rd Mt Clear is most interesting. Stubble quail are quite common in grassland areas and have been recorded north of Ballarat. The hen and chicks were crossing the track in a open grassy area. Stubble Quail are a new species for the Park and demonstrates that the Woowookarung Regional Park is a haven for biodiversity.

10. City of Ballarat Open Space Consultation

The City of Ballarat held an Open Space strategy consultation on My Say on the Cities website during December and January. Many people responded with their observations and wishes. The next step is for the City to formalise an Open Space strategy proposal for further discussion and consultation. The last Ballarat Open Space Strategy was released in 2008 and is in need of updating. The 2008 strategy contained the following statement about the then Canadian Forest as follows:

“Encourage DSE to continue to maintain Canadian Forest in accordance with the Forest Management Plan – Midlands Forest Management Area (DNRE; 1996) and encourage the preparation of a site-specific Management Plan for Canadian Forest which is designated as a regional Conservation (Bushland, Native Grassland and Wetland) open space.”

Ref: Ballarat Open Space Strategy 2008 Vol 1 Page 117

History now records that a “Strategic Directions”  management plan is in place for the forest with new trails, facilities, fire control measures, revegetation and weed and rubbish control at the fore front.

11. Powerful Owl spotted in Union Jack Reserve

“After an unplanned hiatus in sightings and advocacy, a Powerful Owl sighting near Buninyong marks a timely reminder to raise awareness for this elusive owl. With a conservation status of ‘Vulnerable’ in Victoria, the species and its habitat is legislatively significant and requires strong protection. Atop the food chain, Powerful Owls play an ecological role of irreplaceable importance — that is, keeping possum populations from becoming overabundant, which, without the Powerful Owls’ predation, may lead to ecosystem imbalance and unsustainable browsing, i.e. possible tree damage.

Powerful Owls remind us of the importance of large old trees, as these owls and much of its prey, require (very large) hollows for breeding success and shelter. The species suffers from reduction in hollow-bearing trees, and secondary rodenticide poisoning. Where practicable, please withhold tree removal, and opt for non-poisonous means of rodent control.

At FoCC, we are fielding local sighting reports (locations confidential) of Powerful Owls, and ask you to reach out to us if you believe you’ve sighted one (bonus points for photographic evidence!). We’ve been curating a highly confidential database (please don’t disclose specific location details on social media) of sightings (56 so far, since 1995), and a sightings distribution map. All in the endeavour to improve our understanding of the Powerful Owl’s local population and its habitat. We empower locals of all knowledge/skill levels to not be afraid of reporting false alarms (misidentifications), as false alarms for something ordinary are much preferable to no alarm for something extraordinary. Every little bit of data helps! For ID pointers and general information, please refer to the link (https://www.focc.asn.au/birdofthemonth/) to the Powerful Owl Bird of the Month (ed XIII, Sept 2022) column. “
Article courtesy of Joel

12. Park works

Wilson St gorse removal
Central Highlands Water contractors AFP Civil removed a large amount of gorse from along the water and power line easement on the north side of Wilson St in the Park. The removal was done over a few days in December by a very efficient grooming machine. See image. The easement had been a hot spot for 4WD activity and rubbish dumping. This is another dumping spot being dealt with appropriately. Future work will include gates at each end to control vehicle access and spot spraying of any re-emerging gorse. A Christmas present for the park. Well done Central Highlands Water!

Katy Ryans Rd Penny Leaf track and Boundary Rd gorse and broom removal.

Parks Victoria Eco Blade contractor has been busy removing gorse and broom at three sites in the Park.

• Katy Ryans Rd
• Penny Leaf Track
• East side of Boundary and south of Foos Lane.

  

  

  

   Grasstree Creek trail access works

The Grasstree Creek Trail runs east along Grasstree Creek from Joseph St, Canadian and enters the Park at the corner of Long and Spencer St, Canadian.

Parks Victoria contractors are filling in the ruts and grooves along the trail east of Long St. This is a welcome Parks Vic initiative along with the Grasstree Creek Trail being having the City of Ballarat trail works in December. (See next article 13)

13. City of Ballarat Grasstree Creek Trail extension completed

The Grasstree Creek Trail extension is now a reality. City of Ballarat contractors have put the finishing touches to the long-awaited trail. Earthworks involved installation of drainage piping for two water courses and a mining water race during December 2023. The meandering trail runs from Richards St through to Fussell St and the Pax Hill Scout Camp. The trail was first mooted in 2014 by the FoCC. Some ground cover planting and trail signage are yet to be done. Well done City of Ballarat!

14. Natures Stewards courses for 2024

After two great Spring Nature Stewards programs in 2022 & 2023 the City of Ballarat are proud to announce that the first Autumn Nature Stewards program is open to registrations! If you, friends, family or colleagues are interested in learning more about the natural environment in a fun, friendly and engaging way then Nature Stewards is for you:

Course info: https://vnpa.org.au/programs/nature-stewards-3/

Application page: https://vnpa.org.au/apply-for-nature-stewards/

Applications close Sun March 24^th 2024 and spaces are limited  This program is sponsored by the City of Ballarat and is an excellent program to learn more about the natural environment. Great for volunteers, friends’ groups and landholders.

15. Landcare grant

The FoCC was awarded a Victorian Government Landcare Grant 2023 valued at $6127, in October last year. The grant was announced by then Minister for Environment Hon Ingrid Stitt and is to “Restore a Canadian Creek tributary in Mt Clear including Haymes Rd Park”. Over 500 trees, shrubs and grasses will be planted at the 3 sites during winter this year. The City of Ballarat vegetation crew have assisted the project by removing most of the remaining pine trees in the Recreation Rd Bushland Reserve. What was once pine infested block is now on its way to being restored to quality bushland.

Land preparation and Pine removal 

Site 2 City of Ballarat vegetation crew cleared the last of the pine trees on the Recreation Road Bushland Reserve over summer. It is surprising is how good the remnant vegetation is once the pines are gone.

Site 3 of the Grant is along the creek, east of the Bunny Trail and on private property. A contractor felled over 200 pine trees to make way for the replanting in winter this year with native trees and shrubs.

The first replanting working bee is scheduled for 21^st July 2024.

16. Bunny Trail Loop map

The Bunny trail loop map and guide was published for the opening of the Bunny Trail last month. The Bunny Trail Loop Map PDF can be accessed at: https://www.focc.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/BunnyTrail-Trifold.pdf

17. Smart Living Expo Buninyong Sunday February 25^th

The FoCC will host a stall at the 2024 Smart Living Expo Buninyong on Sunday 25^th February 2024 at Royal Park, Buninyong. Always a good time to catch up with Friends and see and talk about sustainability opportunities. Ideal place to pick up one of our brochures.

18. Vandals at the Dementia Trail

Vandals attacked the Dementias Trail Rotunda panels and nearby signs over the weekend of January 19^th and 20^th.

If anyone observed or has any information, please contact Parks Victoria on 13 1963 or email: woowookarung@parks.vic.gov.au

 

 

 

19. Rubbish dumpers, thieves and vandals

The FoCC encourages Park friends to report track vandals, 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.

 

 

 

 

 

1. 8^th Wildflower Walk

The 8^th annual wildflower walk was held between Sunday October 29^th and Sunday November 5^th along the Dementia Forest and Sensory Trail in Woowookarung Regional Park.

The walk was designated “Seniors Friendly” and listed on the “Victorian Seniors Festival” October calendar.

Over 700 visitors walked the trail. The feedback from the walk was very positive.

Thirty-seven different wildflowers, shrubs and trees were highlighted with pop up signs along the walk. The Field Naturalists Club of Ballarat identified the wildflowers and the rest is up to nature.

This year wildflowers were able to be identified by QR codes on each sign. The QR codes are linked to the FoCC website.

2. XMAS Drinks at the Lookout

The 7^th annual FoCC drinks and nibbles at the Lookout was held on Friday 1^st December 2023.

A cool and rainy day, but warmly celebrated by a small band of Foccers.

3. Annual General Meeting and Election of FoCC Committee for 2024

The annual general meeting of the FoCC was held on Wednesday November 1^st  2023 at the Community House Buninyong.

The election of the committee members for 2024 was undertaken and the positions elected were:
President:             Bob Hartmann
Vice President:    Carolyn Barry
Secretary:             Jeff Rootes
Treasurer:             Peter Darveniza
Committee members:  Jo Kelly, Joel Ellis, Tarn Kruger, Rob Loveband, Tracie Currie, Joan Brick and Hayley Ingles

No further nominations were received and all were declared elected by the Chairperson Blake Gordon, in record time!

Guest speaker at the Annual General Meeting was Dr Sarah Preston.

Sarah Preston is a lecturer & course coordinator in veterinary science/early career researcher at the School of Health & Life Sciences, Federation University Australia, Ballarat, Victoria.

Sarah is overseeing Koala research in Woowookarung RP and surrounding areas into what happens to Koalas and Echidnas that are released back into the wild after having been rescued by wildlife carers. The program is also focussing on powerful owls as an important apex predator.

The program aims:

• Track koalas and echidnas upon release to observe how they move about and use the habitat.
• In the future to track powerful owls also.
• Current tracking funded by DEECA has just started and one Koala “Catherine” and two echidnas are providing tracking.
• The tracking may identify other Koala populations, habitat and injury hot spots.

4. Bird of the Month XXVI (November 2023)
   Australian Wood (Maned) Duck (Chenonetta jubata)

Okay, so the Canadian Corridor, and indeed our beloved Woowookarung Regional Park, are both primarily characterised by dry heathy, open eucalypt forest.  Granted that, it doesn’t preclude the influence of – or FoCC’s vested interest in – aquatic habitats interspersed throughout the Corridor, including Yarrowee River and its tributaries and creeks (some unnamed), lakes (e.g. Esmond), reservoirs (i.e. Kirk’s, Gong Gong, White Swan), and dams.  And where there is surface water, there’s a whole, different assemblage of many, varied waterbirds.
There is no better representative of a merger between dry land and water than the Australian Wood (Maned) Duck.  Where some waterbirds may be observed flying over Woowookarung, or taking up residence in a nearby dam or flooded paddock, the Australian Wood Duck will go one further and nest in forest – sometimes far away from water.

The Australian Wood Duck, also known as Maned Duck (or erroneously, Maned Goose), is a handsome, goose-like (i.e. long neck and upright posture) duck that gets its alternative name from the male’s mullet-like hairdo.  The origins of the ‘Wood’ of its common name are unclear, with a number of theories posited.  Such theories include its chestnut head being a colour reminiscent of wood, or the species’ affinity with wooded habitats, given it nests in tree hollows and perches in eucalypts and on logs.  Name origins aside, these pale grey ducks (44-50cm) with the brown-grey speckled breast and black wing stripes, are dabblers that forage on land, grazing on grasses and herbs (and occasionally insects) of lawns, grasslands, flooded or irrigated croplands, and littoral zones (i.e. the shores and shallow extremities of lakes, dams, sewage ponds, and estuaries).  Thus, they are not avid swimmers and certainly far-removed from divers, but may upend in the shallows, and will retreat to open water when disturbed.

Males have a richer chestnut head/neck than females, while females have more extensive mottling, and faint white stripes above and below the eye.  The species forms monogamous pairs that remain bonded year-round.  This is a highly social species that may congregate in flocks as abundant as 2,000 individuals.  Breeding season is September through November in the south of Australia, but elsewhere they may breed any time of year following sufficient rainfall.  As aforementioned, the species nest in tree hollows, which may be waterside or a considerable distance away from water.  A chosen tree hollow is often reused, year after year.  Artificial nest boxes may alternatively be used.  The primary nest material is downy feathers.  Clutches of 9-11 eggs are incubated over 28 days, and young remain with parents a month after fledging.

As a duck that sometimes nests far away from water, Australian Wood Ducks are a species hardened with a tenacity, born out of being predisposed to enduring the long, annual trek from the hollow to a suitable feeding ground, with ducklings (not yet fledged or capable of flight) in tow.  Often this entails duck families crossing, high-traffic, high-speed roads, or car parking lots.  While they haven’t garnered the reputation of Australian Magpies or Masked Lapwing (colloquially, ‘Plovers’), if any species embodies a seasonal surge of maternal/paternal protectiveness, it is the Australian Wood Duck.  In a season where most/all species, both avian and non-avian fauna, invest a single-minded, frenzied attention to furthering their lineage and protecting the next generation, Australian Wood Duck parents – and the fathers, especially – take tenacity to levels where I’ve had a male charging aggressively at my car as I rolled towards a parking space.  Thankfully, the family of ducks were unharmed, but it bears reminding that we’re amidst a sensitive season where wildlife ought to be respectfully admired from afar – and always drive safely, and be extra-watchful and ready to evade (where safe) wildlife crossing roads.

Females produce ‘loud, long-drawn, rising, nasal ‘gnow?’’, or ‘querulous “grouwwk”’.  Males produce a similar vocalisation, but ‘shorter, higher’, an ‘abrupt “nowk!”’.  Agitated flocks sound a ‘rapid clucking’ alarm, and ‘staccato chattering’ at rest or when feeding.  Flocks fly in random formation, and a profile of long neck, white panel on the wing’s trailing edge, and black wingtips, are conspicuous diagnostics.  Flight is described as ‘easy and swift as birds weave through woodland’.

Figure 1: This graphic details generic examples of the fauna that occur in forests (denoted by yellow), freshwater habitats (denoted by blue), and the species that use both habitats (denoted by green), listed roughly according to trophic levels (i.e. food chain), with herbivores at the top, insectivores in the middle, and predators at the bottom.  It is important to note that the forests and aquatic environments are not isolated, closed systems with no overlap or exchange of fauna and energy (food webs).  In fact, the two biomes are interconnected, which means that processes, both good (e.g. pollination, seed dispersal) and bad (e.g. pollution, habitat degradation), affecting the health of one biome can exert a flow-on effect on the other.  Take for example (1) if the forest suffers a reduction in hollow-bearing trees; this directly affects the breeding success of Australian Wood Ducks, which in turn could leave an absence in the said duck’s niche of feeding on grasses and herbs.  This could, therefore, potentially exert further permutations, e.g. one information source stated the species ‘may help control aquatic vegetation’ from becoming overgrown or locally invasive.  How might invertebrates and other aquatic fauna be affected by waterside lawns and littoral zones that haven’t been grazed in the absence of Australian Wood Ducks?  And how about the predators of lawn-dwelling invertebrates and other aquatic fauna?
Another example (2) if the aquatic environment suffers pollution that causes dragonflies to decline, that can manifest in to the insectivorous birds (e.g. Welcome Swallow, Scarlet Robin, White-winged Chough) being impacted by a seasonal reduction in prey availability.  How might that impact the top-order predators that prey on the insectivores?  All considerations to bear in mind, as our outdoor recreation and consumption of natural resources leave an ecological footprint on the local environment that can start a sometimes-far-reaching chain reaction.

Australian Wood Ducks are widespread throughout much of Australia (including Tasmania), apart from some of the driest deserts and tropical north.  They may occasionally appear in New Zealand as vagrants (i.e. when an individual or small amount of individuals randomly go off-course to an unusual location).  Globally, the Australian Wood Duck population is officially classified as ‘Least Concern’, and of ‘Stable’ population trend.  The species has benefited from the creation of farm dams and irrigated croplands, but given it is hunted for sport and at the mercy of tree-hollow availability, its conservation shouldn’t be treated complacently.

Next time you wander through Woowookarung Regional Park, pass by neighbouring farmland, or visit a local waterway such as Lake Esmond, look out for the brave, mullet-wearing, parents-of-the-year – the Australian Wood Duck – the link between forest and waterways!  And if/when you see them, take a moment to appreciate how the web of life is interconnected.

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, interns as an ecological consultant (ornithologist), and is a member of BirdLife Australia (Ballarat branch).

5. 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.

Total of FoCC Citizen Science Koala Count is now over 300.

6. “Koala Counter” App

The CSIRO has developed a ‘Koala Counter’ App as part of the National Koala Monitoring Program (NKMP).  Note: ‘Koala Counter’ is the most current CSIRO App – not to be confused with others of similar name.

The app is available at:   https://apps.apple.com/au/app/nkmp-koalacounter/id6444713649

It has been designed to provide more information than just seeing a koala.

Part of its purpose is to find out where there are no koalas.

It asks users to describe quality of habitat and other info, using simple drop-down menus.  It automatically records precise location co-ordinates.  The information you provide is useful to CSIRO even when there are no koalas counted.

The App won’t be too difficult to use once the basics are mastered, and is available now, free through the App Store.

Some familiarity with it before ‘going out bush’ is recommended.  It is quite straightforward to do a ‘single’ transect, and complete using the easy drop-down menus.

7. Koala DNA project extended

Earlier this year the FoCC supported a Federation University Koala scat collection projection run by Siobhan Heenan.

Fresh Koala scat was collected locally for DNA analysis to help determine the genetic diversity of Western Victorian Koalas.

Some of the samples are now going to be included in DEECA’s Great Victorian Koala Survey, which is exciting.

DEECA is now working really hard to collect samples in the east over the Summer and into March next year. The opportunity exists to add samples from Western Victoria and Ballarat to the study.

Local student researcher Siobhan Heenan is once again looking for Koala scat. If you find a koala or scat contact Siobhan direct on 0437420865 or via foccinfo@gmail.com

How it is done youtube clip

The following is a link to a video of Kelly Smith who is coordinating the citizen scientists in the eastern regions of Victoria. She shows what koala scat looks like, the method of collecting and how to post them. This is for volunteers who might be keen on getting out there themselves!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FiG7y2caM4

8. Natures Stewards courses for 2024

After two great Spring Nature Stewards programs in 2022 & 2023 the City of Ballarat are proud to announce that the first Autumn Nature Stewards program is open to registrations!
If you, friends, family or colleagues are interested in learning more about the natural environment in a fun, friendly and engaging way then Nature Stewards is for you:

Course info: https://vnpa.org.au/programs/nature-stewards-3/

Application page: https://vnpa.org.au/apply-for-nature-stewards/

Applications close Sun March 24^th 2024 and spaces are limited This program is sponsored by the City of Ballarat and is an excellent program to learn more about the natural environment. Great for volunteers, friends’ groups and landholders.

9. Parks Victoria “Seeds of cooperation planted by Ballarat volunteers”

Parks Victoria published on November 22^nd 2023 the following article on line:

“Seeds of cooperation planted by Ballarat volunteers”

 The opening paragraph begins with: “From little things, big things grow.  

That’s certainly the plan for a handful of volunteer groups in Ballarat who all play a vital part in caring for the local environment by taking care of native seeds at every step of their life cycle. 

The extraordinary initiative begins and ends just south-east of the city in Woowookarung Regional Park, a 641-hectare bushland park that was created in 2016. Woowookarung means “place of plenty” and lies on the traditional lands of the Wadawurrung people.  

The project is entirely led by volunteers, with multiple groups working independently yet collaboratively to collect, cultivate, and plant locally indigenous plants. Their goal is to restore Woowookarung to its natural state, creating habitat that can support Koalas and Powerful Owls.” 

The full article can be read at: https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/news/2023/11/22/00/25/seeds-of-cooperation-planted-by-ballarat-volunteers 

10. FoCC tree planting map

The map below shows the locations of the FoCC tree planting areas. A total of 3700 trees have been planted with a success rate of 75% or more depending on the year.

11. Yarrowee River explanation

The Yarrowee river was the subject of an excellent article from Federation University in “The Conversation” recently.

The article focussed on the shifted location of the Yarrowee river in central Ballarat as a result of gold mining.

https://theconversation.com/in-the-1800s-colonial-settlers-moved-ballarats-yarrowee-river-the-impacts-are-still-felt-today-214949

12. FoCC Membership for 2024 is now due.

Membership of the FoCC helps the FoCC in its advocacy, education and activities in support of the corridor. All 2023 FoCC members will receive am email notification that membership for 2024 is now due. Membership runs from 1^st January to 31^st December each year, Membership fee is $20 per year. Children of members are free.
To renew your membership: You can pay for membership via Trybooking at:  https://www.trybooking.com/CFLFU
Cost is $20.50 via Trybooking. You can also make a donation of any size via this process.
Bank transfer to details: Bendigo Bank Buninyong BSB   633000    Account No 184147098
Note: Please add your name to the bank transfer and email  foccinfo@gmail.com your name and the date of the transaction. If your postal address has changed, please let us know.
Payment to the Treasurer at a FoCC meeting or Cheques should be made out to “FoCC Incorporated” and addressed to: FoCC Treasurer, PO Box 83, Mt Clear Vic, 3350.

New Members
New members are most welcome: Applications after July are credited to the next year. Membership forms are available online or email foccinfo@gmail.com 

13. Bunny Trail Loop map

The Bunny trail loop map and guide was published for the opening of the Bunny Trail last month. The Bunny Trail Loop Map PDF can be accessed at: https://www.focc.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/BunnyTrail-Trifold.pdf 

14. Rubbish dumpers, thieves and vandals

The FoCC encourages Park friends to report track vandals, 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.

15. Useful information

• Parks Victoria Woowookarung email address: woowookarung@parks.vic.gov.au 

16. City of Ballarat wildlife information: 

https://www.ballarat.vic.gov.au/me/pets-and-animals/wildlife

• 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.

The main point is for any matters related to wildlife crime, call Crime Stoppers.

17. FoCC Facebook and web

The FoCC has well over 1100 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.

Rob is overseeing the webpage.  webmaster@focc.asn.au

Here is a link to an article written by Paddy Naughtin from Parks Vic, for their website, about the seed cycle in Woowookarung RP and the people who are involved.

From little things, big things grow.  

That’s certainly the plan for a handful of volunteer groups in Ballarat who all play a vital part in caring for the local environment by taking care of native seeds at every step of their life cycle. ….

1. “Bunny Trail” opened

The Bunny Trail was opened on Tuesday 24^th October 2023 by City of Ballarat Mayor Cr Des Hudson and Mt Clear College student Columbus Barton. A large crowd of local residents, cyclists’, walkers and Mt Clear College were present to celebrate the official opening. The opening is the culmination of four years’ hard work by the Friends and Mt Clear College students with support by the City of Ballarat, Community Bank Buninyong and Regional Development Victoria.

How it began

On October 30 2019, an auction sign was placed by the Victorian Government on what is now known as the Recreation Road Bushland Reserve in Recreation Road Mt Clear. The FoCC spotted the possibility of a rail trail along the old “Bunny” rail line embankment on the land and quickly went to work. First item was to postpone the auction. Prompt work by Michaela Settle MP saw the auction postponed. Discussions began with the Community Bank Buninyong for a grant to construct a bridge and trail which quickly moved the trail proposal forward. The City of Ballarat saw the trails connection to the Cities then fragmented trail network and agreed to purchase the land for the community. Delays, due to the impact of Covid and in completing the surveying and registering the easement all took time, before the actual construction could be commenced. The bridge was installed in March this year, followed by trail earthworks, drainage, installation of the picnic table, bike racks, fencing and signage.

Mt Clear College students removed hundreds of sapling pine trees and planted many small shrubs and grasses, plus hundreds of hours of Friends volunteer labour.
Parks Victoria complimented the project with map signage and fencing at the north end entrance to Woowookarung Regional Park.

Walkers and Cyclists can now follow the Bunny Trail all the way to Ballarat Station. At present the trail is not marked. The next stage is for signage along the whole trail to assist visiting walkers and cyclists.

The FoCC wish to acknowledge the generous support from:

Read the story in the Ballarat Courier at:

https://www.thecourier.com.au/story/8398627/permission-to-explore-ballarats-backyard-with-a-unique-donation/

Neil Haydon and Associates for the generous provision of legal services for the establishment of the easement

2. Bunny Trail Loop map
   
   

The Bunny Trail Loop Map PDF can be accessed at:

https://www.focc.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/BunnyTrail-Trifold.pdf

3. 8^th Wildflower Walk

Will be held between Sunday October 29^th and Sunday November 5^th along the Dementia Forest and Sensory Trail in Woowookarung Regional Park.

The trail starts at the Car Park at the Dementia Friendly Forest and Sensory Trail on Katy Ryans Rd.

The Field Naturalists Club of Ballarat and FoCC have organised the self-guided pop-up wild flower trail signage.

This year wildflowers have opened early. Traditional favourites such as “Egg and Bacon” bush pea have completed flowering and are now dormant.

The walk is designated “Seniors Friendly” and is listed on the “Victorian Seniors Festival” calendar for the month of October! The walking trail is a gentle walk uphill on formed track. Good footwear is recommended.

4. FoCC City of Ballarat “Biodiversity Strategy” response

The FoCC held a special meeting on October 4^th to formulate a “Biodiversity Response”.

The key foci for the FoCC are:

• Climate Change: Recognising that climate change is upon us and will have a expanding ongoing impact on the state of our Biodiversity well-being in our built and natural environment. Utilise the DEECA Regional Climate Adaption Strategy climate predictions and recommendations in all biodiversity initiatives.
• Biolinks: Identify the locations of the Canadian Corridor and the Northern Corridor including lesser bio links such as, the Mt Clear and Mt Helen non-urban breaks.
• Flora: Bush, forest and grasslands
• Fauna: Wildlife and koala protection
• Waterways: Yarrowee River, Canadian Creek and associated little creeks
• Lakes and wetlands: Including retention basins design to include biodiversity.
• Rezoning and naming: Rezoning inappropriately zoned land outside the designated residential and industrial areas and naming key currently unnamed
• Enabling: The community to participate effectively and efficiently in environmental management and restitution.

The FoCC is looking forward to seeing the “Strategy” transform the extent and valuing of Biodiversity in Ballarat.

The full 15-page FoCC submission can be obtained by contacting the FoCC at foccinfo@gmail.com

5. Bird of the Month XXV (October 2023)
   Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguinaeae)

Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree… you know the rest.  Just as you would know all there is to know about this iconic Australian bird, right?  Wrong!  Far be it from predictable or a known quantity, the Laughing Kookaburra is never short of surprises.  Here are 10 facts you may not know about Laughing Kookaburra.
Nickname: Laughing Jackass

Name origins: ‘Kookaburra’ is derivative of ‘guuguubarra’, the Aboriginal Wiradjuri name for Laughing Kookaburra — so called because it sounds like its famous call.
Family tree: The Laughing Kookaburra is a large (40-47cm), terrestrial tree Kingfisher — one of the largest Kingfishers, worldwide. In the north coast, its congener, the Blue-winged Kookaburra shares range overlap.  There are a further three Kookaburra species in New Guinea: Shovel-billed; Spangled; and Rufous-bellied, Kookaburras. All five Kookaburra species belong to genus Dacelo.
Being a kingfisher, it must live close to water? Actually, no, the Laughing Kookaburra is not closely associated with water.  More important is the availability of suitable trees to support them.  It will, however, occasionally plunge into shallow water when hunting.

Surprise assassin: In addition to the widely known prey of snakes (including dangerously venomous species), Laughing Kookaburras also feed on lizards, frogs, worms, insects, small birds, small mammals, crustaceans and goldfish from garden ponds.  Recently, on social media, astounding images emerged of a Laughing Kookaburra with a hefty Brown Hare in its bill.  Small prey items are swallowed whole, while larger prey is violently thrashed against a branch or the ground.  What it lacks in a raptor’s hooked bill and powerful, grasping talons with sharp claws, the Laughing Kookaburra makes up for with unrivalled tenacity and a BIG appetite!  Nature’s pest control!

Habitat: occupies a diverse range of habitats, including woodland; open forests and forest clearings; wooded watercourses, including along semi-arid riverine systems; farmland; parks; gardens; and orchards.

Geographic distribution: The Laughing Kookaburra occupies the entire Victorian state; the southeast of SA; all but the extreme northwest of NSW; and the eastern two-thirds of QLD, including the entire coastline and Far North. The Laughing Kookaburra was also introduced to WA, where it inhabits the southwest; and to Tasmania, including King, and Flinders, Islands.  It was also introduced to New Zealand.

 Breeding: The Laughing Kookaburra nests in tree hollows, and arboreal termite mounds.  More obscure nesting options may include haystacks and walls.  Above all else, though, large, old, hollow-bearing trees are desirable to support breeding success.  Within the chosen cavity, the nest tends to be bare and unlined.  Each clutch numbers 2-4 eggs.  Egg incubation is carried out by the female or both parents.  ‘Helpers’, which are mature offspring from 1-2 years prior, remain in the parents’ territory to support them with raising the latest brood.

Identifying sexes, different ages: Laughing Kookaburras are largely sexually monomorphic (i.e. both sexes look the same), but breeding males will develop a blue ‘flush’ on their rump/lower back.  Juveniles have a dark lower mandible/bill, whereas adults have the two-toned bill where the lower mandible is pale.  Additionally, juveniles have fine, brown scalloping of the breast/upper belly.

How are Laughing Kookaburras faring? Official conservation status reads well: the entire population is listed as ‘Least Concern’ (LC), with a population trend of ‘Stable’, while in each of the states it occupies, Laughing Kookaburra is listed as ‘Secure’.  However, anecdotal consensus among local birding hobbyist groups suggests Laughing Kookaburras may be in decline, particularly in suburban settings.  Many agree that in said settings, Laughing Kookaburra is not quite as commonly-encountered as it was previously.  Research concerned with this anecdotal consensus is emerging, and more will be needed to better understand Laughing Kookaburra population trends, threatening processes, etc.  Two targeted conservation measures spring to mind: 1) better protection of large, old trees; and 2) raising awareness of the dangers posed by secondary rodenticide poisoning (i.e. when predators get poisoned from eating poisoned rodents).  On that matter, homeowners would be advised to consider alternative methods of rodent control; and when poisoned rodents are found deceased, it is recommended the carcass be double-bagged and binned to minimise risk to scavengers.

Next time you wander through Woowookarung Regional Park, or another local forest patch or farm, when you next see or hear a Laughing Kookaburra, maybe now you’ll have a deeper appreciation of the surprise packet that is the Laughing Jackass!

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, interns as an ecological consultant (ornithologist), and is a member of BirdLife Australia (Ballarat branch).

6. 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.

7. “Koala Counter” App

CSIRO has developed a ‘Koala Counter’ App as part of the National Koala Monitoring Program (NKMP).  (Note: ‘Koala Counter’ is the most current CSIRO App – not to be confused with others of similar name.) The app is available at:

https://apps.apple.com/au/app/nkmp-koalacounter/id6444713649

It has been designed to provide more information than just seeing a koala.

Part of its purpose is to find out where there are no koalas.

It asks users to describe quality of habitat and other info, using simple drop-down menus.  It automatically records precise location co-ordinates.  The information you provide is useful to CSIRO even when there are no koalas counted.

The App won’t be too difficult to use once the basics are mastered, and is available now, free through the App Store.

Some familiarity with it before ‘going out bush’ is recommended.  It is quite straightforward to do a ‘single’ transect, and complete using the easy drop-down menus.

Total of FoCC Citizen Science Koala Count is now 300.

8. Seniors Festival

The FoCC held a stall at the recent Ballarat Seniors Festival held at Alfredton Recreation Reserve.

9. Park works

Tree damage at the Dementia trail. Building shelters in the park seems like fun, but the effects can be around for a long time.

10. Spikey

Echidna have been busy digging in the park. Particularly in the ex-plantation areas which is heartening.

11. Great Australian Backyard Bird Count 16^th to 22^nd October 2023

    

12. Snakes and lizards are out

This copperhead was quietly making its way along the edge of the footpath beside the Recreation Rd Bushland Reserve. Snakes are protected. If sighted please move away.

Other sightings have been along Dozed Rd and Wilson St.

13. FoCC 7^th Annual General Meeting

The FoCC will hold the 7^th Annual General Meeting at the Buninyong Community House, 407 Warrenheip St Buninyong at 7pm Wednesday 1^st November.

The agenda will include guest speaker, annual reports and election of office bearers.

Members wishing to nominate for the FoCC committee should contact the Secretary at foccinfo@gmail.com for a nomination form.

14. Rubbish dumpers, thieves and vandals

The FoCC encourages Park friends to report track vandals, 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.

Spikey News features

1. Koala Forum: National Icon – Local Treasure
2. Ballarat Biodiversity Strategy FoCC meeting
3. Unsettling -An insight into conservation
4. Bird of the Month XXIV (September 2023)
5. Bunny Trail Opening
6. 8th Wildflower Walk
7. Bunny Trail volunteer works
8. Koala sightings
9. Parks Victoria Lavery Avenue listening post
10. Donations
11. Park Works
12. Another section of Bunny Trail uncovered
13. Haymes Rd VCAT update
14. Great Australian Backyard Bird Count
15. FoCC 7^th Annual General Meeting
16. Red Cross Fire Emergency App

1. Koala Forum: National Icon – Local Treasure.

Ballarat and Moorabool Koalas were the focus of attention at the Koala Forum, held at the Eureka Centre Ballarat on Thursday September 14^th 2023. The Forum was opened by Ballarat’s Cr Belinda Coates. Ms Joanne Cuscaden, City of Ballarat Executive Manager Development Facilitation, spoke about the new Ballarat Biodiversity Plan.

At the end of the forum, participants were asked to consider how to re-energise and improve the Koala Plan as part of the forthcoming CoB Biodiversity Strategy. The participants completed a survey finding:

• ’Stronger protection of large remnant native trees” topping the list.
• “Active native vegetation retention on private land” and “creeks within development projects. protected/restored to enhance biodiversity”.
• Wildlife road crossings, wildlife signage and a Ballarat Environment Restoration Fund.

Comments included: “How to identify Koalas in the habitat by scats, marks on trees” and “Reduce speed limits where Koala populations exist”.

The survey results will be utilised in the FoCC submission to the now open “Ballarat Biodiversity Strategy”.

2. FoCC “Biodiversity Strategy” Meeting

7 – 9pm Wednesday October 4^th 2023
Buninyong Community House
407 Warrenheip St, Buninyong
All friends and members invited

Agenda:
President’s report

1. An overview of key parts of the 3 strategies from a Corridor perspective
2. A short “conversation kit” workshop

4. Round table identification of Biodiversity items for inclusion in the FoCC response

Overview: The City of Ballarat has the three following draft strategies/studies out for public comment/input.

• Draft Housing Strategy:

https://mysay.ballarat.vic.gov.au/ballarat-housing-strategy-2023-2041

2) Draft Neighbourhood Character Study

3) Draft Biodiversity Strategy.

https://mysay.ballarat.vic.gov.au/biodiversity-strategy

The three strategies/studies are supportive of the Canadian Corridor. The neighbourhood strategy is helpful in its identification of certain neighbourhood areas as Bush Suburban and Bush Residential areas. These new classifications should allow those areas to maintain their current character. Large leafy blocks!
The Biodiversity Strategy is the key to improving protection and enhancement of the natural values of the Corridor and Ballarat in general.
To assist in preparing a response to the strategy, the FoCC general meeting is devoted to working through the CoB conversation kit and then preparing a formal FoCC response to the Strategy.

3. Unsettling -an insight into the conservation and care of six peaks in southern Dja Dja Wurrung country.

Bunanyung Landscape Alliance is proud to present a FREE talk by Prof Barry Golding. A respect for landscape is built into our name. We recognise that landscapes change, and that our perceptions of landscape are strongly contingent on culture. Professor Barry Golding is undertaking a State Library Victoria Fellowship in 2023. His project involves research and writing a book, Six Peaks Speak: Unsettling changes in Southern Dja Dja Wurrung Country.

Ballarat Mechanics Institute, Sturt St Ballarat, 7.30pm Tuesday 10^th October 2023
Tickets from

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/unsettling-an-insight-into-landscape-change-from-barry-golding-tickets-713565863707?aff=oddtdtcreator

4. Bird of the Month XXIV (September 2023)
   Black-faced Cuckooshrike (Coracina novaehollandiae)
   Look!  In the sky.  Is it a cuckoo?  Is it a shrike?  Actually, it’s neither – it’s a Black-faced Cuckooshrike.  Shufflewing is one of its many nicknames.  Many an uninitiated observer is sure to be charmed, amazed or even mesmerised by learning about and ticking off their ‘life list’, this diverse, quirky surprise packet.  And thankfully for us, it’s relatively easy to get good views of – and in Ballarat, largely unmistakable.

Taxonomically diverse, Black-faced Cuckooshrike is by-and-large Ballarat’s sole representative of the Campephagidae Family, which comprises of Cuckooshrikes, Trillers, and Cicadabirds.  The family is characterised by “sleek” medium-sized insectivores, with “smart-looking, soft, dense plumages”.  Common among all Cuckooshrikes is their habit of shuffling their wings exaggeratedly upon landing and during courtship (hence, the Shufflewing nickname).

Medium-sized (30-36cm), the Black-faced Cuckoo sports a plumage of white, silver, and grey or bluish grey, and of course the black face/throat.  Males and females are indistinguishable, year-round.  Immature birds have a grey face, but exhibit black ‘eyeshadow’ extending from the lores to the ear coverts.

Black-faced Cuckooshrike has a very widespread geographic distribution across Australia.  The species inhabits a wide variety of vegetation communities, including rainforests, forests, woodlands, scrublands, tree-lined watercourses, parks, gardens, farms, and orchards.

The species occurs in singles, pairs, parties of up to 30, and occasionally large migratory companies.  While some are sedentary or nomadic, there are regular autumn/winter (non-breeding season) migrations northward to the inland/coastal north of Australia, where large winter companies occur.

Breeding season is from August through February.  Both parents share nest-building, incubation, and feeding of broods of 2-3.  The nest is a proportionally small and inconspicuous, shallow cup/saucer of fine rootlets, bark fibres, leaves, and spiderwebs, built into forked limbs, at heights ranging from 6-20m.

Black-faced Cuckooshrike’s diet primarily consists of insects/invertebrates.  Insects are most often taken from foliage, with one notable foraging technique being hovering.  Hovering is a rare, specialist flight behaviour (achievable by only three other Australian species), characterised by the bird skilfully maintaining its position in the three-dimensional space, above the prey target, all the while resisting displacement by the wind, usually by means of rapid flapping, and culminates in the bird plunging vertically down on its prey.

Other flight cues to look out for include its ‘easy’, ‘strongly undulating’ flight path, and closed-wing ‘shooting’ when it takes off from a perch.  It also has a penchant for perching on exposed limbs.

For non-visual cues, you may identify Black-faced Cuckooshrike by its distinctive vocals.  Calls have been described as ‘loud, sharp, churring, harsh yet musical’ or ‘musical, rolling, churring’.  Vocal pitch ‘often starts high then falls’, with “chereer, chereer” being sounded during wing-shuffling.  Also, harsh ‘skair’ in aggression.

Next time you wander through Woowookarung Regional Park, or another local forest patch or farm, don’t forget to attune your senses to the churring musical tones, shuffling wings, and skilful flight of the surprise packet that is the Black-faced Cuckooshrike!

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, interns as an ecological consultant (ornithologist), and is a member of BirdLife Australia (Ballarat branch).

5. Bunny Trail Opening

The “Bunny Trail” will be officially opened on Tuesday October 24^th at 10.30am at the Recreation Rd Bushland Reserve. Full details will be circulated in a few days’ time.

6. 8^th Wildflower Walk

The eighth wildflower walk will be held between Sunday October 29^th and Sunday November 5^th along the Dementia Forest and Sensory Trail in Woowookarung Regional Park

The walking trail start point is the Car Park at the Dementia Friendly Forest and Sensory Trail on Katy Ryans Rd. The Field Naturalists Club of Ballarat and the FoCC have organised the self-guided pop-up wild flower trail signage as shown below. The walking trail is a gentle walk uphill on formed track. Good footwear is recommended.

7. Bunny Trail volunteer works

Students in the “Compass Program” at Mount Clear College planted over 300 ground cover grasses and sedges in the Recreation Rd Bushland Reserve recently.

The students worked four double sessions at the reserve over a period of three weeks. The energetic students removed hundreds of remnant pine saplings from the reserve before plantings began.

8. 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.

Quite a few Koala sightings this month.

Observed: A large male koala along a gully near the corner of Gear Av and Yankee Flat Rd on September 28^th 2023.

9. Parks Victoria Lavery Avenue listening post

Parks Victoria held a park neighbours and visitors face-to-face Listening Post on the 20 September 4:30 – 6pm at the Lavery Avenue Park entrance.
17 people attended, as well as 4 follow-up emails and calls from people unable to attend. Most attendees were direct park neighbours.
Such a high turnout is considered a success by itself and shows how many people care about the park and its environment.

Parks Victoria is reviewing the information gathered and will consider all feedback received. Main topic discussed was increasing park neighbour and visitor safety, by changing public motor vehicle access close to private property.
No listening post is complete without knowledge sharing on how to tackle environmental weeds, rubbish dumping and how to increase safe recreation within the park.

10. Donations

The FoCC has been fortunate in gaining several very welcome donations recently.

Commonwealth Bank Ballarat Branch customers were provided with the opportunity to vote for their selected local community organisations.

The FoCC was placed as runner up and has been donated $250 for FoCC use. The FoCC gratefully thanks the customers at the branch for their support! Several individuals have also donated to the FoCC recently and the donations will be very helpful.

11. Park works

Cherry Ballart and Fern Loop shared use trails are now fully signposted. The two loops have very innovative creek crossings and are a delight to walk or cycle along.  The Parks Victoria information board is yet to be installed.

 

12. Another section of Bunny Trail uncovered

Another section of the Bunny Trail at Horwood Avenue has been exposed after a gorse clean-up by contractors.

The remnant section of the old Ballarat to Buninyong Railway is believed to be Council land and is approximately 100 metres in length. The old rail line is now quite evident as the image below shows.

13. Haymes Rd VCAT update

The FoCC is an objector to a development application in Haymes Rd, Mt Clear. The City of Ballarat rejected the application late last year. The developer had taken the case to VCAT. The first compulsory conference was held in August. Another compulsory conference is scheduled for December. If no agreement is reached, the case may go to a four-day hearing in February.

14. Great Australian Backyard Bird Count
    16^th to 22^nd October 2023

The #AussieBirdCount is a great way to connect with the birds in your backyard, no matter where your backyard might be — whether it’s a suburban backyard, a local park, a patch of forest, a farm, down by the beach, or the main street of town.
The FoCC map of suggested bird count sites in Woowookarung Regional Park.
All you need to take part is 20 minutes and your favourite outdoor space – you can do it at home. As well as contributing to BirdLife Australia’s knowledge of Aussie Birds, you will have the chance to win some great prizes! Head to the website and register as a Counter today.  https://aussiebirdcount.org.au

15. FoCC 7^th Annual General Meeting

The FoCC will hold the 7^th Annual General Meeting at the Buninyong Community House, 407 Warrenheip St Buninyong at 7pm Wednesday 1^st November.

The agenda will include guest speaker, annual reports and election of office bearers.

Members wishing to nominate for the FoCC committee should contact the Secretary at foccinfo@gmail.com for a nomination form.

16. Red Cross Fire Emergency App

The Red Cross has produced an emergency app for use in emergencies. With the prospect of a hotter and possible fire prone summer now is the time to consider ways to protect ourselves and our properties.

The app can be sourced from: https://www.redcross.org.au/emergencies/prepare/get-prepared-app/
Calendar for 2023

1. 2023 Seventh annual tree planting

“Many hands make light work” helped plant 500 trees in the Dozed Rd area of Woowookarung Regional Park on Sunday August 6^th 2023. Fifty volunteers planted the trees in the two-hour session. Messmate and Peppermint gums were planted on the dryer ridges whilst Yarra and Swamp Gums with some shrubs were planted in the wetter areas. A smattering of Manna Gums for Koalas was added to provide future Koala habitat.
The FoCC has planted over 3800 trees over the seven years in the Dozed Rd and Katy Ryans Rd corridor. All the trees have been planted in the old plantation area.
Congratulations to all volunteers especially 3 yr old Jude ably assisted by his Nanna.

The trees are supplied by the wonderful people at the City of Ballarat Community Nursery. The trees are propagated using locally sourced seed.

A sausage sizzle sponsored by the Community Bank Buninyong (Bendigo Bank) rounded out the mornings work.

 

2. FoCC 30^h August 2023 General Meeting

The forthcoming Ballarat Biodiversity Strategy will be the focus of the FoCC 30^th August General Meeting at Earth Ed Science centre Olympic Avenue, Mt Clear.

The guest speaker will be Mr Heath Steward, Senior Sustainable Policy and ESD Officer at the City of Ballarat. Heath will outline the process and progress being made in developing the policy. One focus of the council plan is:
How do we improve the health of natural environment?
The meeting will provide an opportunity to ask questions about the forthcoming strategy and formulate solutions. 

The FoCC general meeting will be held at:
7pm Wednesday 30^th August 2023
Earth Ed Science Centre,
Olympic Avenue Mt Clear
Light refreshments served 

3. Koala Forum: National icon – local treasure.

Koala Forum: National icon–local treasure
Eureka Centre, Stawell St, Eureka
5.30 – 8 pm Thursday 14^th September 2023.

• Mr Les Stokes – Acting director Infrastructure and Environment, City of Ballarat.
• Dr Desley Whisson – Senior Lecturer in Wildlife and Conservation Biology, Deakin University
• Dr Cathy Robinson – Principal Research Scientist, CSIRO Land and Water
• Mr Jackson Cass – Landcare Coordinator, Moorabool Catchment Landcare Group
• Current Ballarat Koala researchers from the University of Melbourne and Federation University.

The event will begin at 5.30pm with a light supper break at 6.30pm and conclude by 8pm.

The forum will celebrate the 20^th anniversary of the exchange of Koala murals between the City of Ballarat and its sister city in Japan, the Town of Inagawa and the development and incorporation of the Koala Plan of Management into the Ballarat Planning Scheme in 2010. The Forum focus is on current local Koala monitoring and Koala initiatives including:

• The University of Melbourne and Australian Koala Foundation Koala scat research by Louise Jory,
• The CSIRO National Koala Monitoring Program across Australia including the Ballarat and Moorabool Local Government Areas.
• The current Federation University Koala DNA sampling program plus the FoCC citizen science Koala spotting program

Outcomes expected: The forum will stimulate discussion and initiatives for improving Koala well-being and wildlife habitat enhancement for inclusion into the forthcoming Ballarat Biodiversity Strategy.
Tickets:  $15 at:
https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1101743

The Forum is proudly sponsored by:

4. FoCC Tree ID slow walk

A lovely day for a tree walk in the Forest.
John Gregurke from the Field Naturalists Club of Ballarat explaining the special details of a Swamp Gum, one of the eleven different species of Eucalypts in Woowookarung Regional Park today. The walk was organised by the Friends of Canadian Corridor in conjunction with Fields Naturalists Club Ballarat.

5. Bird of the Month XXIII (August 2023)
   Pied Currawong (Strepera graculina)
   Pied Currawongs have appeal for all ages.  Marketed to millennials, its utterances of its name (“currawong-currawong!”), and worthiness of (photographic) capture make it Pokémon-like!  For middle-aged people, it is aesthetically the intermediate between ravens and magpies with the redeeming qualities of both but without either’s notoriety.  And for those ageing like fine wine, during your youth, its stocks were centred of The Man from Snowy River-esque habitat but today those stocks have risen to where it has today become widespread.
   Pied Currawong bear resemblance to ravens and magpies.  Currawongs belong to the Artamidae Family, which comprises Australian Magpie, butcherbirds, and woodswallows.  Pied Currawong (42-50cm) is the same size or slightly smaller than the Little Raven, and larger than the Australian Magpie.  In cases where its white is obscured, Pied Currawongs’ lack of beard, yellow eyes, and slow, deep wingbeats distinguishes it from Little Ravens.  More challenging is distinguishing between Pied Currawongs and fellow local, Grey Currawongs.  The two species are the same size, and exhibit some overlap in plumage.  This is particularly true of female Pied Currawongs, which are greyer than males, and therefore look similar to Grey Currawong.  The difference is Pied Currawong have a white crescent on the base of the tail, and its bill is (slightly) hooked.

Pied Currawongs nowadays inhabit many habitats, including rainforests, woodlands, scrubs, farmlands, parks, and gardens.  Pied Currawongs may occur in singles, pairs, and gregarious flocks in autumn/winter.  Such flocks are quite vociferous in ‘rough weather’, but their ‘wailing, raucous, descending’, ‘slow, rollicking series of mellow, often gurgling sounds’ and ‘long wolf-whistle [of] “weeeooo”’ are more ambience than annoyance.  The species is sedentary (non-migratory), abundant, and nomadic, with breeding largely occurring in forests and foothills, with autumn/winter flocks dispersing to coastal lowlands and inland plains.

Breeding season is August–January.  The nest is a bulky yet shallow, untidy bowl of sticks, with an egg cavity lined with finer grass, rootlets and bark.  The nest is built into a slender fork of the upper/outer leafy canopy, at heights of 5-25m.  The female builds the nest, and incubates a clutch of 2-4 eggs – all the while the male feeds her.  Once hatched, 21 days are laying, both parents share feeding duties of the young, and will continue to do so for several months after fledging.
Pied Currawongs are omnivores with a diet of insects, small reptiles, small birds, and berries.  The characteristic foraging behaviour is to scour the bark for invertebrates.  Foraging amongst foliage and on ground are also regular foraging behaviours.
Next time you wander through Woowookarung Regional Park, or another local forest patch, don’t forget to look and listen out for the Pokémon-like bird which utters “currawong-currawong”; the bird from humble origins that has since emerged as habitat- and geography-diverse!

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, interns as an ecological consultant (ornithologist), and is a member of BirdLife Australia (Ballarat branch). 

6. Koala sightings

Quite a few Koala sightings this month. Some in happy surrounds where Koalas should be. Others in places that are not Koala safe.
This Koala was out of its habitat in Creek View Close, Mt Clear. A short time later she was involved in an incident, perhaps by a car, and was rescued. After a few days of care by the wonderful wildlife rescuers and carers she was released back into Woowookarung Regional Park in a safer place.

October to March is Koala breeding season and peak sightings season, so sightings tend to be less now. They are still there, just harder to spot.
If you see, hear or find scat from a Koala, please send the information containing the when, where, and how to: foccinfo@gmail.com.

7. Nest Box monitoring

Nest boxes in Woowookarung Regional Park were checked for usage on Thursday 3rd August by nest box monitors.
Eco Warriors Australia, along with Ecology & Restoration Australia are currently monitoring and assessing nest boxes that have not been recently monitored on Parks Victoria land across the state.

There are a dozen nest boxes in Woowookarung Regional Park and they have been there for quite a while. The monitors brought their pole camera and viewing equipment to look inside the nest boxes. Of the dozen nest boxes inspected, some were in poor repair with leaky or ill-fitting lids and blocked or difficult animal access. None had been used.

8. Park works

Information session. Parks Victoria are holding a listening post at Lavery Avenue Park entrance between 4.30pm and 6 pm on Thursday 21^st September 2023. The discussion will focus on managing access to the Park, between Horwood (Hocking) Avenue and Recreation Rd. The area is of great interest to the FoCC as the Bunny Trail route is along the western edge of the Park.

Tree planting
Federation University students, Parks Victoria rangers and FoCC volunteers planted around 250 native grasses, shrubs and trees along Penny Leaf track just off Dozed Rd in Woowookarung Regional Park on Thursday 17^th August   2023. The planting area was along a former badly eroded 4WD track. The track had been repaired in May by contractors and just needed the helping hand of revegetation by volunteers. The track is along a ridge line and is an important track for fire control in the event of a bushfire.

And over on Red Hill on Boundary Rd near Wilson St, Federation University students planted more trees and shrubs to undo previous vehicle track damage.

9. City of Ballarat repairs on Boundary Road

The City of Ballarat has been busy repairing the deep ruts on Boundary Rd on the south side of the Lookout.

Vegetation on each side of Boundary Rd between the Lookout and the Foos Lane intersection has been removed for safety reasons and to allow grader access for the roads repair. The road had become very overgrown, making it dangerous for walkers and cyclists coupled with potholes and washaways. The repairs are most welcome.

10. Bunny Trail

Someone has been busy! The Bunny Trail on Recreation Rd is now sporting a new front fence. Not sure why the central bollard is painted white, but I guess someone had a leftover tin at home. Still a few bits ‘n pieces left to cleanup – the orange bunting fences etc., but looking pretty good compared to a year ago!

Park entrance installed on Bunny Trail

Parks Victoria contractors completed the installation of the northern end Bunny Trail entrance and signs recently. This is another step in making the Parks entrances visitor friendly.

11. FoCC is a Rail Trails Australia Member

The FoCC is a now a member of Rail Trails Australia. The  building of the ‘Bunny Trail” at Recreation Rd Mt Clear has featured in the Rail Trails magazine and their website.

Currently Rail Trails list the short Eureka Section of the Bunny Trail and the Ballarat to Skipton Rail Trails as local trails. In time, the extended “Bunny trail” will be recognised in the Rail Trails listings.

12. Rubbish dumpers, thieves and vandals

The FoCC encourages Park friends to report track vandals, 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.

13. Useful information

• Parks Victoria Woowookarung email address: woowookarung@parks.vic.gov.au 

• City of Ballarat wildlife information:
  https://www.ballarat.vic.gov.au/me/pets-and-animals/wildlife

• 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. The main point to reiterate is for any matters related to wildlife crime, call Crime Stoppers.

15. FoCC Membership
    Membership runs from 1^st January to 31^st December each year, Membership fee is $20 per year. Children of members are free. New members after July are credited to the next year. Membership forms are available online or email foccinfo@gmail.com
16. FoCC Facebook and webpage www.facebook.com/friendsofcanadiancorridor /

Rob is overseeing the webpage  webmaster@focc.asn.au

The FoCC has well over 1000 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.

Calendar

1. 2023 Seventh annual tree planting

The FoCC will host the planting of 500 trees in the Dozed Rd and Katy Ryans Rd area on Sunday 6^th August 2023 beginning at 10 am. This will be the seventh mass tree planting by the FoCC beginning with 220 trees in 2017. The trees are supplied by the wonderful people at the City of Ballarat Community Nursery. The trees are propagated using locally sourced seed. The nursery was established following a recommendation from the 2006 City of Ballarat’s Koala Plan of Management.

Details: Meet at Cnr of Dozed Rd and Katy Ryans Rd, Mt Clear. Solid footwear and warm hard-wearing clothing required. It may be wet. The FoCC will supply gloves and tools or bring your own favourite tree planting equipment.

The tree planting will conclude with a cuppa and sausage sizzle courtesy of the Community Bank Buninyong.

Tree planting 2017 to 2023

2. FoCC 16^th August 2023 General Meeting
   

The forthcoming Ballarat Biodiversity Strategy will be the focus of the FoCC August General Meeting. The guest speaker will be Mr Heath Steward, Senior Sustainable Policy and ESD Officer at the City of Ballarat. Heath will outline the process and progress being made in developing the policy.

One focus of the council plan is:
How do we improve the health of natural environment! 

The meeting will provide an opportunity to ask questions about the forthcoming strategy and formulate solutions. 

The FoCC general meeting will be held at:

7pm Wednesday 16^th August 2023
Earth Ed Science Centre, Olympic Avenue, Mt Clear
Light refreshments served 

3. City of Ballarat and Town of Inagawa Japan – Koala Murals

The City of Ballarat and Town of Inagawa, Japan began a sister city agreement in 1988 to facilitate educational and cultural exchanges between the two cities. This year is the 35^th year of the agreement, which was renewed again by the City of Ballarat on 26^th July 2023.

In 2003 two Koala ceramic murals were made, one in Ballarat and one in Inagawa Japan from paintings created by local wildlife artist Steve Morvell. The Inagawa mural now hangs in the Cities’ Phoenix Office building and the Ballarat mural is in the Town of Inagawa Library.

The Ballarat mural was created by students from Ballarat and Clarendon College, Beaufort Primary School and Buninyong Primary School in a series of workshops in Ballarat with assistance from the Australian Koala Foundation and oversight from Steve Morvell.

With the twentieth anniversary of exchange of the murals this year, wildlife artist Steve Morvell has produced a new Koala painting to celebrate the anniversary. The FoCC is indebted to Steve for the painting and to Macarthur Frameworks and Gallery Ballarat for their generous donations.

The Koala painting by Steve Morvell handed to Mayor Des Hudson by FoCC Secretary Jeff Rootes in front of the City of Ballarat’s Inagawa made 2003 Koala mural on 13^th July 2023.

The painting will be handed to the Town of Inagawa in Japan by the City of Ballarat Mayor and Chief Executive Officer in their visit to Inagawa in the first week of August 2023. 

4. Koala: National icon – local treasure Forum.
   

Key speakers at the forum are:

• Ms B Wetherall – Director Infrastructure and Environment, City of Ballarat.
• Dr Desley Whisson – Senior Lecturer in Wildlife and Conservation Biology, Deakin University
• Dr Cathy Robinson – Principal Research Scientist, CSIRO Land and Water
• Mr Jackson Cass – Landcare Coordinator, Moorabool Catchment Landcare Group
• Current Ballarat Koala researchers with the University of Melbourne and Federation University.

The forum will be opened by the City of Ballarat Mayor Cr D Hudson. The event will begin at 5pm with a light supper break at 6pm and conclude by 8pm. The forum will first celebrate the ongoing Koala initiatives and events from the past two decades including:

• The 20^th anniversary of the exchange of Koala murals between the City of Ballarat and its sister city in Japan, the Town of Inagawa. (See item 3)
• The development and incorporation of the Koala Plan of Management into the Ballarat Planning Scheme in 2010.

The Forum focus is on current Koala monitoring and Koala initiatives including:

• The University of Melbourne and Australian Koala Foundation Koala scat research by Louise Jory,
• The CSIRO National Koala Monitoring Program across Australia including the Ballarat and Moorabool Local Government Areas.
• The current Federation University Koala DNA sampling program plus the FoCC citizen science Koala spotting program

Outcomes expected: The forum will stimulate discussion and initiatives for improving the biodiversity, Koala and wildlife habitat and well-being in Ballarat for inclusion into the forthcoming Ballarat Biodiversity Strategy.

Tickets to the forum will be available at the end of the second week of August on Try Booking. Booking details and further information will be circulated widely soon.

CSIRO National Koala Monitoring Program

The CSIRO National Koala Monitoring Program (NKMP) is a Federal Government program being delivered across Australia.  The Program will broaden our understanding and unify the different monitoring techniques used in different parts of the country. The NKMP aims to deliver a robust estimate and build a long-lasting capability to monitor and assess trends in koala populations.  More info at:

https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/biodiversity/threatened/species/koalas/national-koala-monitoring-program

5. FoCC Tree ID slow walk

A Tree ID slow walk looking at the many different species of trees in the centre of the Woowookarung Regional Park will be held on Sunday August 27^th 2023. Meeting point is the Dementia Trail car park at 10 am. Good walking footwear, warm clothing and water are essential. The distance to be walked is around 3km. Knowledgeable local naturalists will lead the walk and highlight the array of species in the Park along the way. The walk will encompass the forest around the Dementia Trail, Bakers Rd and Katy Ryans Rd area. A cuppa at the end.

Registration recommended: pls email foccinfo@gmail.com Or text /phone 0408509591

Bird of the Month XXII (July 2023)
Galah (Eolophus roseicapilla)
Okay, this Ballarat winter is almost at Antarctic proportions!  You want a bird that comes to you, so you don’t have to come to it.  I raise to you the Galah.  Common and conspicuous enough to be enjoyed from the comforts of your home.  Colourful enough to brighten your day, when skies are grey.  Talkative enough to indulge an appreciation of birdsong.  Quirky to observe its playful shenanigans.  Say no more, this bird sure has a very accessible, and loveable larrikin charm – just the tonic for your winter melancholy!

Galahs are a medium-sized (34-38cm), pink and grey cockatoo.  The crest, which is often folded down, may be white or pinkish white.  The pink of its plumage may vary in intensity, given some individuals are a rose red.  Females have red eyes, whereas males have dark-brown eyes.

Galahs inhabit open country, open woodland, watercourses, town parks, and sporting fields, provided suitable trees are available.  Highly social, Galahs occur in pairs through to large flocks, which congregate on the ground to feed on seeds/grains.
Breeding season is from July through December.  Galahs require tree hollows to support breeding success.  Nest trees may be alive or dead.  The hollow floor is lined with green, leafy twigs.  Both parents share incubation (and other parental care) duties of clutches of 2-6 eggs.  ‘Several’ broods may be bred per breeding season, with the young fledging at the age of 6-7 weeks, and being dependent until 3 months old.  Galahs form permanent breeding pairs, and can be relatively long-lived, with wild individuals living to 40 years old.

Galah vocalisations are ‘rather harsh, metallic, and abrupt, yet not unpleasant: “chirrink-chirrink, chirrink-chirrink”.  Also, ‘in alarm, harsh, scolding, rasping screeches’.

Galahs’ flight behaviour is characterised by deep wing beats, and “acrobatic”, “swift and tilting” flight, which takes an “erratic and crazy route across the sky”.

Speaking of ‘crazy’, Galahs are known to shower themselves in the rain by hanging upside-down from powerlines, with wings outstretched.

Galahs, as a population, are common and in some cases “very abundant”.  They are sedentary (i.e. non-migratory), and/or locally nomadic.  Population numbers are growing around human habitation, given increasing availability of water, and the clearing of heavier forest, has enabled Galahs to expand their once-inland geographic range coastward.  Indeed, this applies to the Ballarat context, as here Galahs were uncommon at the turn of 21st century, and absent a few decades earlier.

Next time you wander through Woowookarung Regional Park, particularly on the border of farmland – OR you’re partaking in some indoor birding through the loungeroom window – keep an eye on the nature strips, powerlines and sky, where you may well see (or hear!) the crazy loveable larrikins that are Galahs!

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’ trilogy of brochures.  Joel has studied birds up to Honours degree level, interns as an ecological consultant (ornithologist), and is a member of BirdLife Australia (Ballarat branch). 

7. Koala sightings

The FoCC Citizen Science Koala Count now totals 287.

October to March is Koala breeding season and peak sightings season, so sightings tend to be less now. They are still there, just harder to spot.

If you see, hear or find scat from a Koala, please send the information containing the when, where, and how to: foccinfo@gmail.com.

“Koala spotters wanted!

Can you help Siobhan collect Koala scat across Ballarat?

There is currently amazing work being done in the Gippsland region of Victoria with profiling koala populations and learning about their genetic diversity. Siobhan is attempting to find Koalas around Ballarat in the hopes of collecting some scat (poo!) for DNA analysis. If you spot a koala anywhere in the Ballarat region and surrounds it would be amazing if you could let her know! Scat is best collected by tweezer or tooth pick. Human handling can damage the DNA. Siobhan is hoping koala spotters will call her and arrange for a collection. So far 27 collections have been made.
Contact Siobhan on:siobhanheenan@students.federation.edu.au or her mobile – 0437420865″

Koala scat found near the junction of Wilson St and Boundary Rd. Collected carefully and placed on toothpicks ready to join the Koala scat DNA program.

8. Park works

Parks Victoria have installed concrete pads at the new car parks along Olympic Avenue and the overflow car park at the Dementia Trail. A second Grasstree Creek crossing has been put in on the Cherry Ballart Trail. The creek crossings reduce the risk of walkers and cyclists picking up phytophthora in wet areas.

9. Tree stakes and guard recycling working bee

A FoCC working bee picked up a ute full of 1500 tree stakes and 500 tree guards in Woowookarung Regional Park on Saturday 15th July 2023.

The tree guards and stakes were collected from the 2021 tree planting area along Katy Ryans Rd. Fourteen volunteers took just over an hour to collect the stakes and guards.

They will be reused in the forthcoming FoCC tree planting on Sunday 6th August in the area around the corner on Dozed Rd and Katy Ryans Rd in Woowookarung Regional Park.

10. Warrenheip shared rail trail possibility

The eastern end of Strickland Parade runs from Coulson Rd along the north east side of the rail line up to Warrenheip Rd Warrenheip. The parade is just a track and is partly on Council land and partly on Vic Track rail reserve.

The idea for a trail has been proposed by the Committee for Warrenheip, a local group which has just received $10000 to build a walking trail in Warrenheip on the old recreation reserve.

The possibility of connecting Warrenheip with Ballarat via the Strickland Parade is a great opportunity.

Remnant old growth forest

Possibly the largest old growth forest in Ballarat staddles the proposed rail trail and railway line between Ballarat and Warrenheip at Woodmans Hill. The area outlined on the map above contains up to 200 very old big trees. The remnant forest is a major part of the Canadian Corridor or bio link that connects Woowookarung Regional Park and Prior Park to the Nerrina Historic area and the Creswick State Forest via the Gong and Kirks Reservoirs.  The bio link between Woowookarung Regional Park and Nerrina Historic site via the Gong and Kirks Reservoirs.

1989 Report

 “The value of remnant vegetation as wildlife habitat on the urban fringe of Ballarat” was a study undertaken by Eleisha Birkin at the Ballarat College of Advanced Education in 1989.

The report studied five remnant vegetated areas in Ballarat including the “Woodmans Hill” remnant forest which straddles the rail line. The report noted:

• A koala presence encouraged by the remnant stand of Eucalyptus Vinimalis trees (manna gums). Ref: Page 75 Birkin report.
• A connection southward to the Canadian State Forest (Woowookarung Regional Park) via farmland remnants and a pine plantation. Ref: Page 53 Birkin report.

Key implications from the report were:

• “Small patches have value in maintaining regional populations of birds and animals…”
• “All remnants must be considered as part of the conservation network and not just those designated as reserves”
• The role of a management body is then to increase environmental awareness in the community and provide direction and information for the network of remnant vegetation on both a regional and local scale”

Ref: Page 84 Birkin report.

Thirty-four years later, the remnant forest is still there, right in the middle of the Canadian Corridor and Biolink. The remnant forest should be added to the forthcoming Ballarat Biodiversity Strategy as an area to be protected and enhanced.

Illegal tree cutting in old growth forest

At the eastern end Coulson Rd end of the Strickland Parade track, two very old eucalypt trees on the Council Road Reserve were cutdown last year. Legal action by the Council has occurred.

11. Another developer claiming no Koalas

A headline in the online Ballarat Courier claiming:

In Ballarat when developers prepare subdivision plans on designated Koala Habitat, the usual claim is, no  Koalas were found. They will visit the site once, then write a wordy claim that there are no Koalas on site and no evidence that there ever has been.
The developer’s report states:

No koalas were observed during the assessment and no evidence was found to indicate that koalas are currently occupying the study area.

Ref P13 452 Fussell St Canadian Vegetation and Koala Habitat Assessment MTES June 2021.

The FoCC notes from long experience that Koala assessment researchers confine enquiry to the hopelessly out of date Victorian Bio Atlas, whilst conveniently ignoring the authoritive “iNaturalist” website or even the local FoCC Koala sightings, on line at focc.asn.au.

This 2010 map was presented to the VCAT hearing at 425 Richards St Canadian which is a neighbouring property to 452 Fussell St.

That VCAT hearing in 2010 was a test case for the Cities then new Koala Plan of Management (KPOM). The VCAT hearing upheld the validity of the KPOM with a ruling that saved 21 Koala habitat trees by placing the trees into designated tree protection zones.

The developer at 452 Fussell St should read the VCAT outcome and adjust their plans accordingly.

Any friend concerned or affected by the application is encouraged to submit an objection to the Council.

The development application may be found at:

https://eservices.ballarat.vic.gov.au/ePathway/Production/Web/GeneralEnquiry/EnquiryDetailView.aspx?Id=1466951

12. Rubbish dumpers, thieves and vandals

The FoCC encourages Park friends to report track vandals, 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.

13. Useful information

• Parks Victoria Woowookarung email address:
  woowookarung@parks.vic.gov.au 

• City of Ballarat wildlife information: 

https://www.ballarat.vic.gov.au/me/pets-and-animals/wildlife

• 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. The main point to reiterate is for any matters related to wildlife crime, call Crime Stoppers

14. FoCC Membership

Membership runs from 1^st January to 31^st December each year, Membership fee is $20 per year. Children of members are free. New members after July are credited to the next year. Membership forms are available online or email foccinfo@gmail.com

15. FoCC Facebook and webpage www.facebook.com/friendsofcanadiancorridor /

Rob is overseeing the webpage  webmaster@focc.asn.au

The FoCC has well over 1000 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.

Calendar2023