Tuesday, 29 September 2026
Dear Supporter,
Welcome to our October eNews!
This issue includes details of two October walks, nature journaling, and a reminder about the October Birding Weekend in Little Desert National Park. We’ve also got a wrap up of the Feathery Festival, and don’t forget to meet Bird of the Month!
October Bird Walk – Saturday 3 October – Old Distillery Dam, Greater Bendigo National Park, and Noel Ruedin’s Property, Kamarooka
For our October walk we are doing a half or full day event as is your preference. We will start in the morning (9:30am) at the Old Distillery Dam area in the Greater Bendigo NP, Kamarooka.
The Kamarooka section of the park protects a unique tract of mallee vegetation known as the ‘Whipstick scrub’ and some of the best stands of distinctive Box-Ironbark forests of north-central Victoria. This means we could see species that we don’t commonly get at our normal walk areas. These may include Shy Heathwren, Crested Bellbird, Black Falcon, Black-tailed Nativehen, Chestnut-rumped and Inland Thornbill, Red-capped Robin, Purple-gaped, Tawny-crowned, White-fronted and White-eared Honeyeaters and Purple-backed Fairywren, all of which have been seen recently in the area, along with many others.
We suggest people bring a picnic lunch, as after Distillery Dam, for those that wish to make a day of it, we will go to Noel Ruedin’s property which is nearby and wholly within the Greater Bendigo NP. We will have our lunch, then continue birding there. Included in that will be a look at an old Malleefowl nest, as well as the old Ruedin’s Eucalyptus Distillery.
Your walk leaders will be Bob Dawson and Noel Ruedin.
ALL WELCOME!
Where:Â The Old Distillery Dam, Campbell Road, Kamarooka. Travel from Castlemaine to and through Bendigo exiting via the Midland Highway (A300). Once through Bendigo, continue on the Midland Highway, about 7KM past Epsom, turn left toward Lockington, Mitiamo on the Bendigo-Tennyson Road (C338). Drive 11.7KM and turn left onto Campbell Road. The road to the dam is off to the left about 620mtrs along Campbell Road. Allow for at least 1:15hrs driving time from Castlemaine.
GPS: -36.548367, 144.368183.
Google Maps Link is here.
Note, there is a Long Drop toilet at Noel Ruedin’s property where we will have lunch.
When:Â As we have further to travel than normal, meet at the Old Distillery Dam at 9:30am.
Bring / wear:Â Your lunch if you are making a day of it, water, snacks, binoculars, sunscreen, hat, and we also strongly recommend that you wear long trousers and closed-in sturdy shoes.
More info: Jane Rusden, 0448 900 896 or Bob Dawson 0417 621 691.
To discover more about the greater Bendigo National Park and Ruedin’s Distillery, click here: https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-see/parks/Greater-Bendigo-National-Park
https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/5383
Acknowledgment of Country
BirdLife Castlemaine acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we will walk, the Dja Dja Wurrung people, and we pay our respects to their Elders past and present. We recognise and are grateful for the immense contribution of Indigenous people to the knowledge and conservation of Australia’s birds.
Important Information About Walks
Please note that walks will be cancelled if severe weather warnings are in place, persistent rain is forecast, the temperature is forecast to be 35C or above during the walk period, or a Total Fire Ban is declared. Please check our Facebook page the day before the event in case there is a cancellation.
Old Distillery Dam, Kamarooka. Photo by Euan Moore.
Rainbow Bird Walk – Saturday 17 October – Campbells Creek Trail
Join us for a bird-watching wander along Campbells Creek Trail, where you can connect with nature and fellow queer folks! Whether you’re a seasoned bird nerd or looking for a welcoming introduction to the world of birds, this event is for you. Kids are encouraged – bring the whole rainbow fam! Morning tea, if desired can be purchased at Stak’s Café after the walk.
Campbells Creek Trail is a shared gravel path that follows the creek. The surface is mostly dirt with some fine gravel, so we recommend wearing sturdy shoes with good grip. The path is mostly gentle but includes a few short, steep sections.
This event is made possible through the collaborative efforts of Birdlife Australia, Connecting Country and Castlemaine Community House.
Where: Campbells Creek Trail – starting and ending at Lewis Drive (next to the Salvage Yard). Please meet at the Lewis Drive overflow car park (turn left just before the entrance to the Salvage Yard and Good Op shop car park).
When: 9:00am until approx. 11:00am.
Bring / wear:Â Binoculars aren’t essential but can enhance the experience. We’ll provide tips on using them, and a limited number will be available to borrow on the day. Please consider bringing a hat, sunscreen, and shoes with a good grip.
Toilets are available at the Good Op Shop at the start and end of the walk.
Red-browed Finch foraging on the banks of Campbells Creek. Photo by Jane Rusden.
October nature journaling will be at Muckleford Nature Conservation Reserve, Sinclairs Lane, Walmer.
Nature journaling is a combination of science, art and mindfulness. Enjoy a quiet time with nature, observing the ebb and flow of our local birds, other wildlife and native plants, as we explore with our curiosity and record observations in a sketchbook. Guided by Jane Rusden, artist, birder and environmentalist.
No experience necessary, all welcome.
We leave no trace, be kind and thoughtful of wildlife and their habitat … sit beside plants to draw them or take a photo. We don’t pick plants or flowers. Keep a respectful distance from wildlife, so we don’t disturb them or make them nervous. Use binoculars or telescopes to get a closer look. Enjoy those special moments when we find a unique bloom or wildlife chooses to come closer to us, as we sit quietly.
What to bring / wear:
– Wear suitable clothing and sturdy shoes (for sun and snake protection). Note we will be on uneven ground and will walk up to a few hundred meters, possibly carrying your art materials.
– A small selection of art materials such as paints, pencils, pens, coloured pencils, pastels, paper, water container if applicable, camera or phone and binoculars if you have them. A bag to put it all in.
– Something to sit on.
– A hat and sunscreen.
– Water and snacks.
– Your sense of curiosity.
When and where: Sunday 4 October from 9:30am – 11:30am. Muckleford Nature Conservation Reserve, Sinclairs Lane crossing of the Castlemaine Maldon Historic Railway Line, Sinclairs Lane, Walmer.
Parking available just to the north of the railway line on Sinclairs Lane.
GPS: -37.0108082, 144.1312024
Jacky Winter in watercolour and charcoal, by Jane Rusden.
Just a reminder that our 2026 Birding Weekend is coming up soon, in and around the Little Desert National Park and the Dimboola area in the Mallee. If you intend to come along, we recommend booking your accommodation ASAP. That also includes sites at the caravan parks.
The area has a number of different types of habitat including mallee, dry forest, red gum areas and riverside. Recent interesting sightings and for October last year include Spiny-cheeked and Tawny-crowned Honeyeaters, Horsfield’s and Shining Bronze-Cuckoos, White-browed Babbler, Rainbow Bee-eater, Sacred Kingfisher, Gilbert’s Whistler, Restless Flycatcher, Jacky Winter, Hooded and Red-capped Robins, Inland Thornbill, Purple-backed Fairy-wren, Southern Whiteface, Common and Brush Bronzewing, Blue-winged Parrot, Purple-crowned Lorikeet, Diamond Firetail, Rufous Fieldwren, Southern Scrub-Robin, plus various others including Malleefowl seen as recently as late August.
We will centre ourselves where possible at Dimboola. As usual we suggest driving up on the Friday to get settled in if you can. There will be walks organised for Friday afternoon, Saturday morning and afternoon, and Sunday morning. If enough people are interested, we may look at doing a night walk on Saturday night. A communal dinner will also be arranged for the Friday night at a hotel or restaurant in Dimboola.
For those interested in the weekend, please advise Bob Dawson, by email to bobadawson@hotmail.com so that you can be notified of the details as they become available. Please provide the names of all going, and a mobile number. Please also let Bob know whether you intend on joining us for dinner on the Friday.
For more information regarding the area, click here: https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-see/parks/little-desert-national-park https://vnpa.org.au/parks/little-desert-national-park/ https://www.wimmeramalleetourism.com.au/little-desert/ https://www.hindmarsh.vic.gov.au/Visit-Hindmarsh/Visit-our-towns/Dimboola
National Park camping area links: https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-see/parks/little-desert-national-park/where-to-stay/horseshoe-bend-camping- area#change-of-conditions https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-see/parks/little-desert-national-park/where-to-stay/ackle-bend-camping-area
The Feathery Festival was in flight from 5 to 11 September, with a range of events celebrating our local woodland birds.
You can read all about it on the Connecting Country website here.
Who knew birds could smell like earthy florals, lavender and musk? This month we explore scent, smells and noses in birds.
Read more here.
Zorro the Pink-breasted Parakeet, who smells of musk and earthy florals for his favourite friends. Photo by Jane Rusden.
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Membership of BirdLife Australia is a great way to support a bright future for Australia’s birds – and it would also make a perfect gift for a bird-lover! Learn more about membership or other ways to get involved here.
Kind regards,
The BirdLife Castlemaine Committee
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