Spikey News August 2025 Issue Number 123

1. 6300 trees, shrubs and grasses planted by 716 enthusiastic volunteers over 22 days. 

FoCC volunteers, including students, planted 6300 trees, shrubs and grasses, using 6 tons or 18900 stakes and 6300 guards. 2200 leaflets were letterboxed in neighbourhoods adjacent to sites by enthusiastic walkers. And 50 kgs of rubbish was collected whilst preparing sites. Hundreds of sausages cooked by the wonderful Rotary Clubs of Ballarat. Numerous friends shared their emails and Facebook posts and encouraged others to join in.  Those individual actions helped make the plantings successful. The 200 remaining plants will be planted on October 4^th by the “Natures Stewards” volunteers bringing the total plantings to 6500.
A big thanks to these organisations in making the plantings happen.

• Ballarat Courier
• Ballarat Garden Supplies
• Ballarat Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation
• Ballarat Times
• City of Ballarat
• Damascus College
• Hands on Learning teachers
• Mount Clear College
• Mount Rowan College
• Woodmans Hill College
• Ross St Building supplies
• Smart Pix signs
• Rotary clubs of
  • Alfredton
  • Ballarat
  • Ballarat East (planting day was cancelled)
  • Ballarat South
  • Ballarat West
  • Wendouree Breakfast
• Voice FM
• Wadawurrung Indigenous Nursery Bostok

Soapy’s Dam 31st August

Sailors Gully 17^th August

Canadian Creek 10^th August
57 Volunteers planted 700 trees shrubs and grasses in a 2-hour session.

Lal Lal Drain (Site 2) August 3^rd FoCC images

2. Rotary support and sausage sizzle.
   The Rotary Club of Ballarat South catered for the Canadian Creek planting, the Rotary Club of Alfredton catered for the Dozed Tk planting and the Rotary Club of Wendouree catered for the Soapy’s Dam planting. Rotarians ran the on-site volunteer registration and provided support for the plantings. Many thanks to the wonderful Rotary volunteers who helped make the planting go exceptionally well.
   

3. School plantings – 2065 trees, shrubs and grasses planted by 295 students 

The FOCC hosted 13 school planting days involving 295 students from four schools between June 17^th and August 27^th. The largest group was 80 students and the smallest group was 4. Participating schools were Damascus College, Mount Clear College, Mount Rowan College and Woodmans Hill College. A total of 2065 trees, shrubs and grasses were planted by the students on Soapy’s Dam and on the east side of the Bunny Trail in Woowookarung Regional Park. The FoCC volunteers assisting, praised the students and teachers for their wonderful work and interest in landscape restoration activities. Special thanks to Jo for unstinting dedication to providing sausage sizzles to the students. Ably assisted by Judith, Tracie, Chris, Ric, Mark, Tarn and Peter working in wet and windy conditions on some days. Some students were also involved in the FoCC’s community tree plantings as well.

4. The Urban Ripple restoration project
   The restoration project is funded from the Victoria Government’s, Green Link fund. A total grant of $701000 has been awarded to the Bunanyung Landscape Alliance, and in partnership with the Yarrowee Leigh Catchment Group to revegetate waterways in Ballarat. As part of the project the FoCC agreed to plant 6500 trees, shrubs and grasses on four sites in the Corridor.

5. Official launch of the Urban Ripple Project
   Michaela Settle MP officially launched the Urban Ripple project on the FoCC Canadian Creek site near Hocking Avenue Mt Clear on Friday 8^th August 2025.
   

   

Ms Settle said, “It was wonderful to be at the launch of the Urban Ripple Project today — a community-led effort to restore Ballarat’s waterways.  Backed by the Victorian Government’s Green Links Program, this project will see 39,500 indigenous plants established across 13 sites, rejuvenating 80.5 hectares and nearly 10 kilometres of the Yarrowee River and its tributaries. A huge thank you to the Bunanyung Landscape Alliance, Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation, Yarrowee Leigh Catchment Group, local Landcare groups, and the passionate volunteers making this happen. Together, we’re restoring our precious waterways, supporting local biodiversity, and caring for Country. ” Source: M Settle Facebook page.

6. Bird of the Month XLIV (August 2025)
   Brown Falcon (Falco berigora)
   Any time, especially after 120 bird-walks along a favourite trail, one encounters a species for a site’s first time – that is a worthy cause for excitement!  Take into consideration also the fact this encounter represents the site’s (in this case, Union Jack Reserve, Buninyong) first record of the species in 145 eBird surveys (inclusive of my fellow eBirders’ checklist), and it is all the more a notable sighting, which is rewarding to increase the site’s species tally!  To top it all off, Bird of the Month is yet to feature a falcon species.  All this considered, it would be remiss of me to not take inspiration and write about this species.  So without further ado, behold the Brown Falcon…!

   

At 40-50cm, the Brown Falcon is a medium-sized falcon, and one of the most common and widespread raptors in Australia.  Another attribute which ranks it most distinguished among Australia’s raptors – or any Aussie bird for matter – is the species’ widely variable plumage colourations.  Despite its rather misleading name, the Brown Falcon comes in a light morph (whitish underparts; upperparts varying shades of darker brown), dark morph (uniformly sooty brown, almost black), and rufous morph (orangey brown upperparts) – each of which pose identification challenges with other raptors (refer to the below infographic for an ID guide).  The light morph is most common in southeast Australia, dark morph most prevalent in the tropical north, while Rufous morph predominates in arid climes.  Interestingly, they are all the same species (not even separated into subspecies/races), meaning theoretically all different colour morphs could appear in the same clutch of siblings.  Convoluting matters is the fact that colouration alters in transition from juvenile to adult plumages, while the oldest adult also become paler.  Common denominators present in all colour morphs – and therefore useful in ruling out other species – include the following: (1) the ‘double tear drop’, i.e. a dark-brown vertical stripe either side of the eye, enclosing pale cheek patch; (2) short trousers, always dark-brown or red-brown (never pale!); (3) pale underwing; and (4) conspicuous barring of wings and tail.

Brown Falcons are strongly associated with open farmland.  I have visited many a farm during my time as an ornithologist, and Brown Falcons have been observed (at least once) on every one of them.  Farms aside, Brown Falcons also inhabit plains, open woodlands, forest clearings, tree-lined watercourses, roadsides, alpine meadows, coastal dunes, and gibber/mulga deserts.
By falcons’ standards, Brown Falcons are oddballs with a few points of difference.  Where most falcons are highly aerodynamic, often with considerably specialised diets (i.e. many falcons are formidable predators of birds, while Nankeen Kestrels concentrate largely on mice and locusts) – the Brown Falcon is described as “sluggish” and “clumsy” by field guides, and its diet is very generalist.  Brown Falcons possess the pointed wingtips (i.e. primaries or ‘finger’ feathers clasped together) typical of all falcons, and even join Nankeen Kestrel as a surprising exponent of hovering (i.e. flight where the bird maintains a fixed height with no movement in the three-dimensional space, a rare aerialist skill done only by a select few Aussie birds) – albeit in doing so its wingbeats are “slow and laboured”.  However, its broad, bluntly pointed wings with convex trailing edge, contrast markedly with other falcons’ sharply points, crescent-shaped wings, designed for swift flight.  Brown Falcons have a widely varying diet of snakes (including Eastern Brown), lizards (i.e. skinks, dragons), small mammals (i.e. House Mouse, young rabbits), birds (e.g. starlings, parrots), insects (e.g. locusts, beetles, dragonflies), and carrion (often scavenging roadkill or kills pirated from other raptors).  Brown Falcons are versatile in their foraging methods, which encompasses gliding, soaring, hovering, diving, ambush from perch start, aerial attacks and tail-chases, flushing prey out of cover, and even stalking prey on-foot.  Pairs engage in cooperative hunting.

Breeding season here in the south is August through October.  As with all Australian falcons, Brown Falcons do not build their own nests.  Pre-existing nests of corvids (in our case, Little Raven) or that of other raptors are adopted or usurped.  Exceedingly rare alternatives include the nest of Australian Magpie, tree hollows, or termite mounds.  Both sexes incubate the clutch of 2-3 eggs (sometimes up to 5), but feeding duties of hatchlings are carried out predominately by the female alone.  Young fledge at ~30 days of age.
Brown Falcons are a considerably vociferous species, and indeed ‘The most vocal of Australian raptors’.  Vocalisations are characterised by screeches, shrieks, and hoarse chuckles.  Interestingly, two field guides liken its high-pitched cackling to a ‘laying hen’, only ‘louder and harsher’, as follows: ‘“karairk-kuk-kukkuk”, the first part raucous, rising, the following “kuk-kuk” as a low clucking’.  Also, ‘“karark”, “kar-r-rak”, “kairrrrk”, as single calls a few seconds
apart’.

Brown Falcon at Union Jack Reserve: Sighting Significance
This sighting was significant, not least because it was the first record in 145 eBird checklists arising from the sight, but also for the following reasons:

1. Canadian Corridor Raptor Infrequency: Aside from a handful of sightings of various raptors in (or above) residential neighbourhoods (Tandara Estate), and two Brown Falcon sightings in open farmland (adjacent to Geelong Rd), and perched on a powerline (Midland Hwy), it is, in my experience, difficult to come across raptors east of Ballarat where forests abound (much easier in the agricultural west of Ballarat!). Most raptor species (including Brown Falcons) are advantaged by land clearance, and open country raptors often patrol the skies, and perch on a powerline or an exposed branch – conspicuous behaviours, offering unobstructed views for the human observer.  Raptors of the forests, however, tend to be much more secretive and elusive, preferring a concealed perch on well-foliaged limbs.  Granted, my Union Jack Reserve sighting was not a forest raptor, it was nonetheless a reminder there is raptor presence in the Corridor.  Raptors don’t read the field guides, meaning the theoretically frequented habitat types may have blurred lines – as shown by this sighting of the open country-preferring Brown Falcon in a forest reserve.
   2. Behavioural Context – Possible Breeding activity: My observation, earlier in August, was intriguing for the unmistakable vocalisations that were noted.  The unsighted Brown Falcon was flying at a scarcely visible, great height, and engaging in a territorial or courtship display.  The species is renowned for its noisy aerial courtship displays.  This behaviour may be suggestive of the new arrival of a breeding pair, and quite possibly a nearby nest.  Bear in mind, August marks the first month of breeding season.  Watch this space!

Brown Falcons are geographically distributed continent-wide, including Tasmania, and also occur abroad in Papua New Guinea.  The species is common throughout, and generally considered sedentary (i.e. non-migratory), but it can be irruptive in response to plagues of House Mouse and locusts, while some populations may demonstrate north-south, and altitudinal, migration.  Despite its commonness, a decreasing population trend is in effect, according to IUCN.
Next time you wander through Woowookarung RP, particularly around its clearings (e.g. former plantations), or the exterior where forest meets open farmland – be sure to scan the sky and leafless branches of dead trees, to try for a chance encounter with the variable-plumaged, versatile predator, and hen-sounding, oddball that is the Brown Falcon!
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. 

8. CoB Tool Trailer Grant
   The FoCC has received a City of Ballarat “Ballarat Community impact Grant Program” for the “Purchase of Community Tree planting Resource Trailer”. The grant of $5200 is to purchase a closed tradie style trailer including signage and registration. The trailer will be used to transport and store the FoCC’s tree planting tools and equipment. A private lock up home has been found for the trailer. Expected delivery is late October.

   

9. Friends of Union Jack Creek Desoza Park – Tree planting

The Friends of Union Jack Creek is a small group in Buninyong working to restore Creekside habitat along Union Jack Creek in Desoza Park.

The Union Jack group is a subgroup of the Upper Williamsons Creek Landcare group. The FoCC is committed to providing support.

9. Forest Fire Management Planned Burn
   A planned burn is to be held in the York St Boundary Rd Wilson St Long St block in the near future. The first burning is to burn the skirts of the grass trees so as to reduce the intensity of the final burn.
   More information at: www.ffm.vic.gov.au

10. Koala Sightings
    

    

October to March is Koala breeding season and peak sightings time. If you see, hear or find scat from a Koala, please send the information containing the when, where, and how to: foccinfo@gmail.com.  Images are gold (even if a little blurry). All Koala sightings are entered into the iNaturalist online data base. The complete list of sightings can be viewed at https://www.focc.asn.au/koalas/

12. Proposed Koala habitat removal at 76 Springs Rd. Objection lodged
    An application to clear 0.75 hectares of Koala Habitat has been lodged with the City of Ballarat Statutory Planning department.

    

    Map of the Site courtesy of the Courier August 1 2025. Annotation by the FoCC. The FoCC has lodged an objection to the planned destruction of Koala Habitat. The application is at odds with the City’s Koala Plan, native vegetation removal regulations and the City’s recently adopted “Biodiversity Strategy”. An article of the application was published in the Ballarat Courier on August 1^st 2025. The article can be found at the Courier website. https://www.thecourier.com.au/story/9029323/brown-hill-subdivision-plans-threaten-koala-habitat-in-ballarat/  The FoCC believes the land can be subdivided into a lesser number of lots safely leaving the Koala Habitat shown in Yellow in a single lot. Nearby residents concerned about this development should lodge their own objections to the proposed destruction of Koala Habitat. The council does take notice of objectors. Feel free to contact the FoCC foccinfo@gmail.com for information about the proposal and objection processes. 

13. Rubbish dumpers, thieves and vandals The FoCC urges Park friends to report vandals as well as rubbish dumpers, wood thieves and other suspicious activity to Parks Victoria on 13 1963 or email: woowookarung@parks.vic.gov.au
    In emergency situations please call 000. If an offender is spotted, please note vehicle registration details as vehicle identification is most helpful, plus location and details. All information is treated by Parks Victoria Rangers professionally and confidentially.

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 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.

14. Membership Membership runs from 1^st January to 31^st December each year, Membership fee is $20 per year. New members and renewals after July 1 are credited to the next year.  Membership is 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 over 1300+ friends following us on Facebook and growing. Welcome to all new friends. Feel free to pass on to other friends and press the Like button. 

16. 2025 Proposed Calendar The calendar is prepared by the FoCC committee.

Spikey News is published monthly for the Friends of Canadian Corridor Incorporated. Registered No A0097535B. The FoCC is a Landcare group registered with Landcare Victoria Inc and a member of the Yarrowee Leigh Catchment Group. The purpose of “Spikey News” is to link the community to Woowookarung Regional Park and the Canadian Corridor.
Circulation this issue is to 1278 1301 subscribers. Welcome to all new friends.
Any opinions expressed in Spikey News are made by the editors in good faith and do not officially represent Parks Victoria or the FoCC.
Previous issues of Spikey news can be found at our web site, here.
We are proud to walk this land with the Wadawurrung people and all other First Nations people.