Orange Biodiversity

Work Charles Sturt has been doing

FalconCam Project

  • The FalconCam Project is a research-based and educational initiative with the aim of studying the breeding behaviour and diet of a family of resident, non-migratory peregrine falcons in Australia. The nest, or eyrie, is in a wooden box installed at the top of a tall water tower (still in use) in the grounds of Charles Sturt University.
  • The project has been approved by the University’s Animal Ethics’ Committee. To date (2022) Dr Cilla Kinross has collected nearly eight years’ worth of breeding behaviour data and nine years’ of prey analysis.
  • Watch the peregrine falcons live streaming below on the 'Box Camera' and read the web chat commentating on the parents Diamond (Mum) and Xavier (Dad) caring for eggs and raising their chicks. (Chicks hatch in late September.)

What you can do in Orange

Keep track of our famous residents in the centre of campus - Peregrines Falcons via FalconCam.

Get involved in active local works and community groups such as:

Lead your own sustainability/biodiversity event on campus with the help of an onsite Student Representative and Clubs Officer.

Orange Biodiversity history

The Orange Campus contains a significant landholding to the north/north-east of core campus facilities. The biodiversity report for the Orange Campus notes that there are substantial areas of remnant native vegetation (Yellow Box – Apple Box and Ribbon Gum – Apple Box). In addition, two creeks on the campus have the potential to form a significant wildlife/biodiversity corridor – particularly at the confluence of these two creeks, which form 'swampy' area.

The university is working in partnership with the Department of Primary Industries, Orange City Council and the Summerhill Creekcare group to improve aquatic habitat in Risky Paddock (biodiversity zone E) on the university farm.