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BirdLife Castlemaine District eNews March 2021

Tuesday, 23 February 2021

  • Estimated reading time 10 minutes

Welcome to Castlemaine District eNews!

Dear Supporter,

Welcome to our March 2021 eNews.

In this issue we’ve got a summary of our February walk, details of our upcoming March walk in Yandoit, more information on our spring camping trip, the AGM in April, the quiz, and more.

February Bird Walk Summary – Breakfast with the Birds, Warburtons Bridge

An enjoyable “Breakfast with the Birds” was held at Warburtons Bridge on Saturday 6 February. The camping ground was very busy but we managed to secure enough space to enjoy our breakfast before setting off under overcast skies. Two groups, one led by Rosemary Turner, the other by Peter Turner, went in different directions and were successful, particularly Rosemary’s group, in seeing and hearing many species of birds. Birds included Eastern Yellow Robins, Jacky Winters, Dusky Woodswallows, White-browed Scrubwrens, Pacific Black Ducks and many Yellow-tufted Honeyeaters! Thanks to the Turners for leading the walk.

March Bird Walk – Saturday 6 March – Glamorgan Reef Bushland Reserve, Yandoit

The next BirdLife Castlemaine District Branch bird walk will be held on Saturday 6 March at 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 Reserve consists of dry open forest, with dams to attract the birds. Birds seen on recent visits include Diamond Firetail, Jacky Winter, Crested Shrike-tit, Restless Flycatcher, plus various Honeyeaters and Thornbills and even a White-necked Heron. Our walk leader will be Damian Kelly. All welcome!

Note there are no toilets at the site.

Where: Glamorgan Reef Bushland Reserve is located on the Glamorgan Road, near Yandoit. From Castlemaine head to Guildford, then continue towards Daylesford (Midland Hwy) for 3KM, then turn right into Limestone Road. At the end of Limestone Road, turn right into Daylesford-Newstead Road, 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 and park past the Reserve sign. (Note: Glamorgan Rd is not signposted.)
GPS: -37.226661, 144.081811

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

Bring: Water, snacks, binoculars, sunscreen, hat, sturdy shoes. PLEASE NOTE: During snake season we strongly recommend wearing long trousers and covered-in shoes. Snakes are very much out and about, and you may be bitten without realising it straightaway, leading to a delay in receiving essential medical attention.

COVID requirements: You must always carry a face mask with you when you leave home unless you have a lawful reason not to. Wearing a face mask is strongly recommended whenever you can’t keep 1.5 metres distance from others.

More info: Jane Rusden, 0448 900 896, Judy Hopley 0425 768 559 or Bob Dawson 0417 621 691.

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, and/or a Total Fire Ban is declared. Please check your email and our Facebook page the day before the event in case there is a cancellation.

Update – Proposed Weekend Mallee Camp

A reminder to all that we are going to have a campout at Hattah-Kulkyne National Park from Friday 10 – Sunday 12 September. We have not finalised which campground we will stay at but will give regular updates regarding the camp in this eNews. Also, all those that express genuine interest in attending the camp will be advised by email.

We suggest driving up on the Friday to get settled in if you can. There will be no organised walks on the Friday, so people can wander around as they wish; there is normally good birding around the Lakes at Hattah-Kulkyne although there is no water in Lake Mournpall at the moment.

On the Saturday we intend on running a morning walk, an afternoon walk and for those still willing, a night spotlighting walk. This means that people who cannot drive up until Saturday morning can still join in some of the organised activities. On Sunday morning we will also have an organised walk and possibly an afternoon walk, but as many may have to leave after lunch that may not go ahead.

For those not wishing to camp, there are three motels, a hotel and a caravan park with cabins at Ouyen (about 30 minutes’ drive from the Hattah-Kulkyne NP entrance/Visitor Centre).

Firm numbers are needed by 10 July so that the necessary arrangements can be made. If you are interested, please advise Bob Dawson by email or text 0417 621 691.

Hattah-Kulkyne NP is approx. a four hour drive from Castlemaine. The camping facilities are excellent and the park has a diverse range of birds and other flora and fauna. Possible birding highlights are Apostlebirds, Regent Parrot, Mallee Emu-wren, Striated Grass-wren, Chestnut Quail-thrush and Malleefowl.

For more information on Hattah-Kulkyne NP click here: https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-see/parks/hattah—kulkyne-national-park

Photo of Hattah-Kulkyne National Park: Jane Rusden

2021 Annual General Meeting

The 2021 Annual General Meeting of BirdLife Castlemaine District Branch will be held on Saturday 3 April at 11:30am at Rise and Shine Bushland Reserve, Sandon, following the April monthly bird walk scheduled for this location.

BYO drinks and chair; food will be provided for morning tea.

A nomination form for committee positions will be available on the day or can be requested in advance by emailing castlemaine@birdlife.org.au.

The positions vacant are Convenor; Secretary; Treasurer and committee members. Please consider nominating for the committee.

Nomination forms and proxy voting forms should be emailed to castlemaine@birdlife.org.au OR mailed to Secretary, BirdLife Castlemaine District Branch, 25A Church Street, Maldon, 3463.

Nominations will also be accepted on the day of the AGM.

Know Your Birds Quiz

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

Question 1 (Beginner): Multiple Choice

Castlemaine and surrounding district has many species of Doves and Pigeons. From the four species listed below, which has been introduced to Australia?

1. Crested Pigeon
2. Rock Dove
3. Peaceful Dove
4. Common Bronzewing

Question 2 (Intermediate): Who am I?

• I’m a year-round resident in the Castlemaine district.

• I’m approx. 44 to 50 centimetres in length with a wingspan of around 80 centimetres.

• I’m a gregarious bird usually seen in family groups.

• I’ve adapted well to human settlement and can often be seen on or near lakes, parks and gardens, sports fields and farm dams.

• I  like to nest in tree hollows, not necessarily near water.

• My colours are mainly pale grey, with a brown head and neck. Black primary feathers on my wing, with white underwing feathers and a mottled black and white breast.

• I have a slightly upright stance reminiscent of a small goose.

• My diet largely consists of grasses, clover and herbs, but occasionally I’ll eat insects.

Question 3 (Advanced): Spot the Parrot Feathers

All four parrot species pictured below are either full time or seasonal residents in the Castlemaine district. What do you think these four birds are?

Bonus Question 4 (Obscure)

In October 2020 a rare Asian bird species was observed near the Sandfire Roadhouse, three hundred kilometres south of Broome in Western Australia. What is the name of the species observed?

Bird of the Month – Fuscous Honeyeater

The loveable Fuscous Honeyeaters sort of rampage through the bush like a bunch of teenage girls, making a lot of good natured noise and a being bit bossy at the same time.

Click here to read more.

Photo of Non-breeding Fuscous Honeyeater: Jane Rusden

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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 great 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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Quiz Answers

Question 1: The Rock Dove, also known as the Common Pigeon or Rock Pigeon. First introduced to Australia in the 1870s and a common sight in most large cities and towns.

Question 2: Australian Wood Duck.

Question 3: Clockwise from top left – Musk Lorikeet, Swift Parrot, Little Lorikeet, Red-rumped Parrot.

Question 4: The Brown-streaked Flycatcher. A rare species of flycatcher, normally found in southern Vietnam, Cambodia, southern Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Sumatra.

BirdLife Australia, BirdLife Victoria Group, 60 Leicester Street, Carlton, VIC 3053  | castlemaine@birdlife.org.au