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Friends of Canadian Corridor, Ballarat

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25.01.2022 Behold the large and (I suspect) little-known, local skink that sets itself apart from other skinks with its protection of young, and interactive social structure. A fascinating read! This is a timely article to advertise our freshly printed revised edition of the popular brochure ‘Indigneous Wildlife of Southern Ballarat’, co-funded with Leigh Catchment Group. The new and improved photographic brochure was recently updated, and addresses the need to include a larger list o...f species (115) than the brochure’s previous edition. Coincidentally, the Cunningham’s Skink was one of many newly featured species, which includes many more reptile species, and a few more mammal and bird species to bring to the local community’s attention. Stay tuned, more to come on the brochure...! Cunningham’s Skink is locally relevant for a confirmed (but otherwise unreported) sighting record on a Grenville property, south of Ballarat. To the best of our knowledge, no other reported sightings exist of Cunningham’s Skink in Ballarat and surrounds. Who knows perhaps there’s other suitable habitat in the Ballarat area where Cunningham’s Skink have as yet gone undetected and unreported? A reminder that iNaturalist and Atlas of Living Australia (both are available for free as smart phone apps, or on web browser) are great resources for reporting your flora and fauna sightings, and browsing the database of other sightings in your local area.

25.01.2022 From the Ballarat Times

25.01.2022 Gurks’ Gardening is making a meaningful difference to the local environment at Woowookarung, and the plantings should stand the Park in good stead for the future!

25.01.2022 From the Courier today - good work, Joel, for promoting the bird count week so well, and introducing #Woowookarung to many more of the locals!

24.01.2022 The "Cascades" are looking good with all the rain and the grass trees along Olympic ("River") Ave are looking postively radiant after after a good clean. (Photos by Peter D)

23.01.2022 Hi Friends! Snow in Woowookarung on a fresh spring day. What a treat! There's an indescribable beauty in a snow-covered scenery. Word doing the rounds is that Woowookarung Scenic Lookout was busier than Mt Buller. (Image credit: Jeff)

21.01.2022 Hi Friends. Just wanted to confirm the obvious that our tree-planting at Woowookarung (scheduled for last Friday and Sunday) was cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions. The FoCC Committee would like to thank those who offered to participate in this event. We are currently working through alternative arrangements for this event (when safe to do so).

21.01.2022 Hi Friends! For anyone curious to learn the inspiration behind Woowookarung Regional Park’s Dementia-friendly Trail, this is a beautiful and poignant read. What a great source of civic pride that this local hidden gem is Australia’s first trail specially designed for people with dementia. Kudos to all involved in its development! Everyone deserves access to a therapeutic nature retreat!

20.01.2022 Interesting cultural heritage finding! Craig and Brett were prospecting in the Woowookarung RP forest on Sunday morning. They found a large number of big, old lead bullets over a wide area. They were actually in the drop zone for the Rifle Range short range. Interestingly, the bullets were about 200mm deep in the ground, which suggests a lot of earth movement and time elapsed since they were shot. The size measurements (in inches) of the bullets (from top to bottom) are: 0.475; 0.475; 0.575; and 0.303 (which is well known). Does anyone know what the others are? Or what sort of rifles were used in 1860 on therapy days?

19.01.2022 Hi Friends! This NAIDOC Week, we at FoCC wish to acknowledge the Wathaurong People - past, present and emerging. We are proud to have the 'Woowookarung' [Regional Park] name, which translates to 'Place of plenty', represent and continue the Wathaurong legacy. 'Always was, always will be Aboriginal land' Image taken in Woowookarung Regional Park, courtesy of Prue.

17.01.2022 In keeping with our recent flurry of posts, we've got another! This time it's a somewhat overdue Koala sighting report. Thanks Tracey B for sharing with us this great photo of a noisy male heard (and then seen!) in Woodland Dr, Canadian. Spring is upon, and that means more grunting Koalas to listen out for! But it's not just Koalas who will be noticeably more active -- it's birds and many other fauna too! Please be sure to drive with care to avoid animal road deaths. Thanks!

16.01.2022 Well spoken, Leigh Catchment Group! We reciprocate your thanks for co-funding this excellent brochure! Special thanks also to the local photographers who generously donated their amazing wildlife images , and to Colourfield Design for the tremendously refined brochure design! More details to come on how you can get your hands on a copy...

16.01.2022 'Spikey News: Oct 2020 Issue Number 71' is out now on our webpage (http://www.focc.asn.au/). Spikey News Features: 1. Great Australian Backyard Bird Count 2. Wild Flower walk... 3. Friends clean up 4. Koala spotting 5. Park Works 6. Local wildlife rescue and rehabilitation services advice 7. Katy Ryans Road. What do we know? 8. Yarra Gums 9. Frog season 10. FoCC Annual Meeting 11. Rubbish dumpers, thieves and vandals 12. Membership renewals Image credit: The Courier (Oct 24 2020); Bob

13.01.2022 Many birds are nesting in the park

12.01.2022 **Mildly graphic content** Friends, please let this photo be an important and timely reminder of the need to drive carefully at all times, not only for our own safety but that of local wildlife. This is increasingly important right now, as many species embark on breeding season. While passing on their genes and protecting their young take priority, many animals may behave erratically. Another important consideration to bear in mind is that road-killed marsupials may be bear...ing orphaned pouch young. If there are any good samaritans wanting to go that extra mile, then checking pouches and moving carcasses off the road (where scavengers can feed safely) is encouraged and ever so gratefully commended! Wearing gloves is advised if you are to do this, and any surviving pouch young should be referred to a licensed local wildlife carer. Huge thank-you to Pam for sending us this sad photo of a poor Eastern Grey Kangaroo! Be safe on our roads! Cheers!

12.01.2022 Linda made this short video showing things she's seen in the park

11.01.2022 Important notice for homeowners! When you’re trying to control rodent presence in your home, please bear in mind that desirable owls, kites and other predatory birds can die from eating poisoned rodents. There are non-poisonous alternative methods for controlling rodents, if you can take a brief moment to read the attached. Be kind to the animals we share this world with! Thanks!

10.01.2022 Dear Friends, There was a fire in the Park yesterday near Foos Lane and Boundary Rd. Jeff had a look this afternoon. He met two Forest Fire guys doing a check on the fire. No sign of cause. Except it was deep in the middle of broom and gorse (weed) patch. No tracks etc. Scary that it is so early. Great job done by the CFA and FFM - many thanks!... (Image credit: Jeff)

10.01.2022 Behold! The first release of our monthly newsletter under its characterful new name: Spikey News! Issue 70 is out now on our webpage (http://www.focc.asn.au/). Spikey News features: 1. Woowookarung Regional Park Bird Count and the Great Australian Backyard Bird Count... 2. Park works: Contractor Cultural Heritage induction for Dementia and Bag:Gup trail, feral tree removal and Dementia Trail tree planting and fences and Bollards. 3. Woowookarung Winter Wonderland 4. 55 Recreation Road update 5. Hut remnants name mystery resolved 6. Fire 7. Telstra Tower upgraded to 5G 8. Koalas spotted 9. Gariwerd indigenous calendar 10. Tree planting completed 11. Small group park clean-up 12. Another heritage orienteering marker found 13. Wildflower Pop Up Walk 14. 846 Eureka St Objection 15. 4WD Damage and springs 16. Firewood thieves, rubbish dumpers, and vandals See more

10.01.2022 Behold: Powerful Owl update! For context, Powerful Owls, Australia’s largest owl, classified as ‘Endangered’ in Victoria, first came to FoCC’s attention last January when a breeding pair and juvenile were spotted in Mt Helen. This exciting discovery was a major sighting as Powerful Owls breeding at a local site indicates a thriving prey population and healthy ecosystem. Requiring the hollows of large, centuries-old gum trees for breeding success, Powerful Owls are an exampl...e of an important species that is at risk if vegetation removal is not well legislated against. Fast forward to now, and we at FoCC are most excited to present this year’s newly fledged Powerful Owls! The precise location shall remain a closely guarded secret, but we are pleased to report two juveniles (up from one last year!) Powerful Owls have fledged and left the nest hollow. They are again occupying a space in Mt Helen. Since November 10, we've had Peter and Rob photograph up to 3 Powerful Owls at any one time, with the two juveniles (the white fluffballs) being quite photogenic, accompanied by one of the parents. How adorable! (Image credit 1-3: Rob; 4: Peter)

09.01.2022 Not sure exactly where it was but...

06.01.2022 Local field nats are seeing signs of spring

04.01.2022 A Koala sighting overnight in Mt Helen, well captured by Ebony N. What a treat to have such a cute and fluffy visitor! Be that as it may, it is a bit concerning that this Koala has become disoriented and wandered into the potential damage of human settlement. However, it looks quite healthy, and there were no reports to suggest this Koala got into harm's way, so we assume it safely made its way back to the bush. Thanks Ebony for the images of this beauty!

04.01.2022 Big thanks to Stuart W for kindly sending us this absolutely stunning image of the Woowookarung forest! Photographed on a sunny day between Clay Rd and Clayton St (just off Boundary Rd), and rendered in black & white for artistic touch! The beauty of the forest so very well captured!

02.01.2022 Hi Friends! We are pleased to bring to you another Powerful Owl sighting! Superbly captured by Andrew A (photo 1), the Powerful Owl photographed yesterday near Mt Buninyong, is shown clutching prey remains (which appear to be a Common Ringtail Possum). And just because we cannot get enough of Powerful Owls, attached also is an older image of a Powerful Owl pair photographed by Grant P (photo 2) near Woowookarung in May 2020. Right now while we're in home-isolation, Powerful... Owls breeding pairs are also likely attending nest hollows and keeping close to home. Keep safe, Friends! And be sure to get some nature therapy into your week!

02.01.2022 Pat was busy for three days doing a planting up above Dozed Rd - hundreds more native plants in and ready to grow in spring. Thanks Patrick! #gurksgardening

01.01.2022 Hi Friends! Our latest edition of the monthly newsletter is now out on website (http://www.focc.asn.au/). The agenda items are as follows: 1. Covid 19 effects 2. City of Ballarat: Six southern little creeks added to Yarrowee River Master Plan... 3. 55 Recreation Road moves ahead 4. Woowookarung Regional Park Bird Count and the Great Australian Backyard Bird Count 5. Hut remains found 6. Snow 7. Tree planting 8. Secluded lakeside R and R setting 9. Powerful Owl 10. Cascades flowing strongly 11. Grasstree thieves 12. Koalas spotted 13. Manna Gums and boxes 14. Orienteers markers circa 1976 15. Firewood thieves, rubbish dumpers, and vandals (Image credit: Alex; Andrew)