August Bird Walk – Saturday 2 August – Glamorgan Reef Bushland Reserve, Yandoit

Our August bird walk will be held on Saturday 2 August at the Glamorgan Reef Bushland Reserve, Yandoit. The loop track is about 2.2KM with one steep section. For those that do not wish to do the main walk, there is plenty to see around the dams and also some shorter flat tracks to explore. The Glamorgan Reef Bushland Reserve consists of dry open forest, with dams to attract the birds. Birds seen in the area include Diamond Firetail, Jacky Winter, Peaceful Dove, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, Crested Shrike-tit, plus various Honeyeaters and Thornbills etc., and if we are lucky, Square-tailed Kites are regularly seen here. Our walk leader will be Bob Dawson.

ALL WELCOME!

Please note no toilets are available at the site.

Where: Glamorgan Reef Bushland Reserve is located on the Glamorgan Road, near Yandoit. From Castlemaine take the Midland Hwy (A300) through Guildford, then continue on the A300 towards Daylesford for 3KM and turn right into Limestone Road. At the end of Limestone Road, turn right into Hepburn-Newstead Road (C285), drive 750m then turn left into Yandoit Creek Road (opposite the Fire Station), drive 650m then turn left into High Street which becomes Yandoit Twp Road (dirt). Drive 2KM then turn right into Glamorgan Road (Note: Glamorgan Rd is not signposted), drive 400m and park past the Reserve sign.

GPS: -37.226661, 144.081811. Google Maps Link is here. 

When: Meet at the Glamorgan Reef Bushland Reserve at 9:00am.

Bring / wear: Water, snacks, binoculars, sunscreen, hat, long trousers, sturdy closed-in shoes.

More info: Jane Rusden 0448 900 896, Bob Dawson 0417 621 691

Acknowledgment of Country

BirdLife Castlemaine acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands 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 Regarding Cancellation of 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, a Total Fire Ban is declared, or some other safety issue is identified. Please check our Facebook page or email castlemaine@birdlife.org.au the day before the event in case there is a cancellation.

Nature Journaling with BirdLife Castlemaine District

We usually don’t hold nature journaling in August, but July’s session was rained out so we’re trying again at the Ochre Pits, Guildford l132 Bushland Reserve, exploring nature and recording what you observe. Led by artist and bird nut, Jane Rusden. No experience is necessary and beginners are very welcome.

What to bring / wear:

– Wear very warm clothing and sturdy shoes. Note we will be on rough bush tracks, occasionally off track 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, such as a camp chair or rug.

– Water, hot drink and snacks.

– Your sense of curiosity.

When and where: Sunday 3 August from 9:30am – 11:30am. Ochre Pits, Guildford l132 Bushland Reserve, 270 Blanket Gully Rd, Campbells Creek.

GPS: -37.11756, 144.20095

Male Gang Gang in watercolour, by Jane Rusden

July Walk Wrap-up

Twenty-five birders enjoyed a great morning at the Bendigo Water Reclamation Plant, Epsom. The weather was perfect for this time of year and even though a little chilly to start with was sunny and windless, making for a very pleasant walk. We saw 50 species, with the highlights being Little Eagle, 2 x Tawny Frogmouth, Grey Butcherbird, a lone Pink-eared Duck, several Musk Duck and both Black-fronted and Red-kneed Dotterel. Click here for the full list.

Many thanks to John, Stephen and Helen from the Coliban Water team.

Know Your Birds Quiz

Test your bird knowledge in this month’s quiz with the questions below, then check the answers at the end of this eNews. Big thanks as always to quizmaster Ash Vigus.

Question 1 (Easy): Multiple Choice

Which of the eight species of Thornbill listed below is Australia’s largest?

1. Brown Thornbill
2. Yellow Thornbill
3. Mountain Thornbill
4. Chestnut-rumped Thornbill
5. Yellow-rumped Thornbill
6. Striated Thornbill
7. Inland Thornbill
8. Tasmanian Thornbill

Question 2 (Intermediate): Spot the Feathers

All four bird species pictured below are found in the Castlemaine district; what do you think these four birds are?

Question 3 (Advanced): Who Am I?

• I’m a tiny bird, approximately 8 to 9 centimetres in length.
• I’m found in all mainland Australian states and territories.
• My diet mostly consists of insects, especially small-scale insects which I gleam from leaves.
• I’m found across a variety of wooded habitats, mostly drier open eucalypt forests, River Red Gums, Mallee, and Mulga habitats.
• My nest is a neatly woven dome made from grasses, spider webs and other fine vegetation with a narrow spout-like entrance at the top. The interior of the nest is lined with feathers and other vegetable matter.
• A highly active bird, I’m often seen foraging in small flocks, feeding on the outer edges of the top of the tree canopy.
• My colours consist of a dull grey-brown head and olive-brown back; my underparts are buff to yellow. There is a very slight pale line above my eye, and a pale tip on my tail.
• I have a short stubby pale bill, with a pale cream coloured eye.

Follow us on Facebook

We have a BirdLife Castlemaine District Facebook page. Follow us for all the latest bird news and events.

Become a Member

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

Forward to a friend     

Quiz Answers

Question 1: The Yellow-rumped Thornbill is the largest species of Thornbill found in Australia.

Question 2: Clockwise from top left – Superb Fairy-wren (male), Tawny Frogmouth, Purple Swamphen, Eastern Rosella.

Question 3: Weebill.