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.
The below gallery show cases native fauna species identified on this campus through biodiversity monitoring activities.
Raven (Corvus coronoides) Wiradjuri - waagan.
Black Kite (Milvus migrans)
Crimson Rosella (Platycercus elegans)
King-Parrot (Alisterus scapularis)
Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)
White-plumed Honeyeater (Ptilotula penicillata)
Red Wattlebird (Anthochaera carunculata)
Rufous Whistler (Pachycephala rufiventris)
Flagship species Scarlet robin ( Petroica boodang ) is vulnerable
Yellow-rumped Thornbill ( Acanthiza chrysorrhoa)
Charles Sturt University extends our sincere gratitude to the following talented and very generous photographers for granting permission to publish their amazing images.
Thank you to: Simon B Cotterell, Ian Montgomery birdway.com.au, Jennifer Horsnell, Geoff Burrows, Dr Joanne Connolly, Tim Bergen, Alexandra Knight, David Hunter, Mark Stephenson, Cilla Kinross, Ian Kerr, Roger France and Ken Monson.
Wildflower images are sourced from canberra.naturemapr.org
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.)
You can also view the falcons through a variety of other live cam angles:
The Scarlet Robin Petroica boodang, is a small, plump bird, to 130mm. Males have a striking scarlet breast, black head, neck and upperparts with a conspicuous small white patch above the bill. The lower underparts are white. The wings are barred white and the outer tail is also white.
Females are brown above with an orange-red breast, white forehead and brown wings and white underparts. Young birds resemble females but are streaked white above, tinged buff on the wings and are mottled dark-brown on the breast and sides of the body.
Scarlet Robins can be quite tame around humans. They are a quiet and unobtrusive species which is often easily approached. Their populations have declined in South Australia and Western Australia as a result of land-clearing practices. They are particularly affected by the removal of understorey.
The Scarlet Robin:
The Orange Campus contains a significant landholding to the north/north-east of core campus facilities. There are substantial areas of remnant native vegetation of Yellow Box – Apple Box and Ribbon Gum – Apple Box. The 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.
A total of 16.2 hectares at Charles Sturt University Orange have been identified and mapped as areas of significant conservation value. These areas were formally ratified in April 2017 as biodiversity zones. There are six biodiversity areas located on the Farm. These biodiversity zones are a good start, however more work needs to be done to connect the habitat requirements of this species as they need a lot of undergrowth.
Participate in activities enhancing the biodiversity zones including:
This content is also part of LiFE Framework
Learn more about LiFE Framework
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