Innovative solution to a noisy challenge along the Barwon River

Wanted: A young family to set up house in a beautiful part of Winchelsea, with great views over the river, fresh and plentiful takeaway meals and a fantastic playground.

In return this young family will need to manage the resident corella population and help keep them under control.

Only peregrine falcons need apply.

The challenge of living with nature in Winchelsea called for an innovative solution.

Corellas are protected native birds, but they can be noisy, messy and destructive and have caused damage to trees along the Barwon River in Winchelsea.

The novel approach was devised during a site visit, when Council’s environment officers watched the corellas scatter when a bird of prey flew over.

Peregrine Falcons are a natural predator of corellas and it’s hoped that encouraging a family of falcons to take up residence on the river will deter large flocks of corellas from that area.

We teamed up with Growing Winchelsea and Winchelsea Men’s Shed to install a Peregrine falcon nesting box in a tall tree along the Barwon River – providing the perfect platform from which a falcon family can hunt, roost and breed.

Fingers crossed a new young couple take up residence and help manage the corellas in our township.