Monday, 1 June 2026
Dear Supporter,
Welcome to our June eNews!
This month’s issue includes details of our upcoming June walk in Daylesford, nature journaling, and Bird of the Month.
June Bird Walk – Saturday 6 June – Jubilee Lake, Daylesford
Our June monthly walk will be held at the Jubilee Lake, Daylesford.
Jubilee Lake (previously Hepburn Goldfields Reservoir) was built to supply water to the local mines during the 1860s. Today the lake has been developed into a popular destination for recreation and relaxation, being used for swimming, fishing, birdwatching, bushwalking, and picnicking. The lake features excellent barbecue facilities, a playground, picnic tables, walking track, mineral spring tap, kiosk, café and toilets. The Jubilee track is approx.1.6KM long, and easy walking. Recent sightings include Red-browed Finch, Australasian Darter, White-browed Scrubwren, Eastern Spinebill, various species of Honeyeater including Crescent Honeyeater, Wedge-tailed Eagle and many others. Also the area has a population of Pea Fowl and though not native and considered domestic, are nevertheless interesting to see. Your walk leader is Alan Crawford.
ALL WELCOME!
Where: We will meet at the Jubilee Lake Car Park, Jubilee Lake Rd, Daylesford. From the roundabout in Castlemaine (cnr Hargreaves and Forest Sts), drive west approx. 200mtrs and turn left onto Johnstone St/Midland Hwy (A300). Continue 35KM until the roundabout entering Daylesford, then continue straight through the roundabout onto East St. Drive approx. 700mtrs down East St and turn right onto Stanbridge St. Drive to the end of Stanbridge St and turn left onto Vincent St. Travel 750mtrs on Vincent St (becomes King St) and turn left on Lake Rd. Drive for approx. 2KM, then turn left onto Jubilee Lake Rd. The carpark is approx. 300mtrs along here.
GPS: -37.36579, 144.14953. Google Maps Link is here.
When: Meet at Jubilee Lake Car Park at 9:00am.
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. Please note there are toilets available, and also a Café for those wishing to partake after the walk.
To discover more about Jubilee Lake click here.
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.
June nature journaling will be at Herons Reef, Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park.
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). Be prepared to walk up to 500 metres return, on rough ground and perhaps off track.
– 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 7 June from 9:30am – 11:30am. Herons Reef, Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park, Vaughan-Chewton Rd, Fryerstown. Please note no toilets are available at this location.
GPS: -37.1203925, 144.2533475
While drawing in the bush a curious Magpie came to see what we were up to, no doubt looking for food too. Pencil drawing by Jane Rusden.
We enjoyed two walks in May. The first was our usual monthly walk which took place along the Goldfields Track on the edge of the Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park, Golden Point. Thirty species were seen or heard – for the full list check out Birdata here.
Our second walk was a midweek outing to Castlemaine Botanical Gardens. Twenty species were seen or heard, including one of the resident Powerful Owls!
Rose Robins are a much less common Robin in central Victoria over autumn and winter. An altitudinal migrant that adds a stunning splash of colour as the days grow shorter.
Read more here.
Photo by Damian Kelly.
Local Birding Spots
We’ve compiled a list of local birding spots across the Castlemaine District, which you can find on the BirdLife website here.
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
Sunday 7 June – Nature Journaling Location: Herons Reef, Fryerstown Leader: Jane Rusden
Saturday 4 July – Bird Walk Location: Wewak Track, Glenlyon Leader: Jenny Rolland & Euan Moore
Sunday 5 July – Nature Journaling Location: Chinamans Point Road, Chewton Leader: Jane Rusden
Sunday 2 August – Nature Journaling Location: TBC Leader: Jane Rusden
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