July Bird Walk – Saturday 4 July – Wewak Track, Glenlyon

Our July monthly walk will be held on Saturday 4 July at the Wewak Track, Glenlyon.

The track is on the eastern edge of the Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park near Glenluce. Habitat is open Box/Ironbark forest. Possible sightings include Yellow-tufted, Brown-headed, White-naped, Yellow-faced and Fuscous Honeyeaters, Brown, Striated, Yellow, Yellow-rumped, Buff-rumped Thornbills, Brown and White-throated Treecreepers, Red-browed Finches, White-browed Scrubwren, and Eastern Spinebill along with many others.

Your walk leaders are Jenny Rolland and Euan Moore.

ALL WELCOME!

Where: We will meet at the Wewak Track. From the roundabout in Castlemaine travel 3.8KM along Pyrenees Hwy toward Chewton. Turn right into Fryers Rd/Vaughan-Chewton Rd, drive 9.5KM approx. (through Fryerstown) then turn left into Drummond-Vaughan Rd (signposted to Glenluce). Drive 5KM approx. along the Drummond-Vaughan Rd (the last bit is unsealed), to a small wooden bridge (Aidans Bridge). Immediately before the bridge turn right into Wewak Track.

500M along Wewak Track there is an informal camping area on the right amongst tall trees. Small cars with low clearance may like to park on Wewak Track just before the camping area as there are a couple of deepish dips in the track into the camping area. The plan is to spend some time around the camping area in the tall forest then walk along Wewak Track in both directions. We may also walk up the side track near where we park.

Please note there are no toilets available at this location.

GPS: -37.1993, 144.2312. Google Maps Link is here. 

When: Meet at 9:00am at Wewak Track.

Bring / wear: Water, snacks, binoculars, sunscreen, hat, long trousers and sturdy closed-in shoes (for snake protection).

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

Midweek Bird Walk and Morning Tea – Wednesday 22 July – Campbells Creek Trail

Our next midweek walk will be held at the Campbells Creek Trail in Castlemaine on Wednesday 22 July. For those wishing to enjoy a coffee and cake afterwards, we will be starting and finishing at Aitken’s Corner Café.

The Campbells Creek Trail runs from the Camp Reserve along Barkers and Campbells Creeks to the Campbells Creek township. The track is mostly flat providing easy walking and is wheelchair accessible. The walk runs partly through some areas of houses and commercial buildings but has good riparian vegetation thanks largely to the Campbells Creek Landcare group.

Possible sightings include Silvereye, Pied Currawong, Musk and Rainbow Lorikeet, Silvereye, Grey Fantail, Red-browed Finch, White-browed Scrubwren and various Thornbills and Honeyeaters. Our walk leader is Bob Dawson.

Where: The walk starts from Johnstone St/Midland Hwy (A300), about 100M past Gaulton St. Note, there is no carpark there, and the walk is on the north side of the road but it is probably better to park on the other side by the Ampol Service Station. From the corner of Forest and Barker Sts, follow the Midland Hwy (A300) for approx. 800M, and park on the left.

There are public no toilets here but will be at the Café after the walk.

GPS -37.07105, 144.21058.. Google Maps Link is here.

When: Meet at the entrance to the trail near Aitken’s Corner Café at 9:00am.

Bring / wear: Water, snacks, binoculars, sunscreen, hat, long trousers and sturdy closed-in shoes (for snake protection).

More info: 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

July nature journaling will be at Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park, along Forest Creek, where Goldfields Track crosses Chinamans Point Rd.

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 5 July from 9:30am – 11:30am. Forest Creek, where Goldfields Track crosses Chinamans Point Rd, Chewton.

GPS: -37.0702951, 144.2729082

Noisy Miner in pencil and watercolour, by Jane Rusden.

June Activities Wrap Up

The first winter bird walk for 2026 was held at Jubilee Lake, Daylesford. Eighteen birders braved the wet for a two hour circuit of the lake and were rewarded with 35 bird species seen or heard, and a koala! The highlight was the excellent view of two Bassian Thrushes. For the full list visit Birdata here.

Thanks to Alan Crawford for leading the walk and to Bob Dawson for organising it.

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Kind regards,

The BirdLife Castlemaine Committee

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