Tuesday, 28 February 2023
Dear Supporter,
Welcome to our eNews for March 2023.
In this issue we’ve got a wrap-up of February’s “Breakfast with the Birds” event and walk at Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park, Chewton, details of the upcoming March walk at Malmsbury Reservoir, and March Nature Journaling. And don’t forget to check out Bird of the Month and test your bird knowledge with the quiz!
We’re finalising our full walks program for 2023 and will publish the details in next month’s eNews.
We had a record turnout for our February walk preceded by breakfast in Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park, Chewton.
Despite the poor weather, 14 species of birds were seen or heard, with a highlight being an immature Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike. Many thanks to Tavish and Joel Bloom for leading the walk.
Photo of Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike by Euan Moore
March Bird Walk – Malmsbury Reservoir (Portwines Road access)
We are delighted to announce that our March BirdLife Castlemaine District Branch bird walk will be held on Saturday 4 March 2023 at the southern end of the Malmsbury Reservoir at the Portwines Road access.
Habitat is reservoir and farmland edge with some pockets of mixed bushland. This area is mainly only frequented by a few people for fishing so can have at times some interesting sightings, including several raptors, bush and water birds. Birds seen at the location include White-bellied Sea-eagles, Wedge-tailed Eagles, Whistling Kites, Hobby Falcon, Sacred Kingfisher, White-fronted Chat, Red-browed, Gold and Greenfinches, several species of Honeyeaters, Thornbills, Ducks and recently a Caspian Tern, well away from the sea! Your walk leader is Bob Dawson.
Please note there are no toilets at the site.
Where: Portwines Road access for the Malmsbury Reservoir, Lauriston. From the Castlemaine centre, travel 11.7KM east along the Pyrenees Highway (B180) toward Melbourne. Just before the freeway, turn right on the Old Calder Highway (C794) toward Malmsbury. Drive 12KM and just before the hill down to the Malmsbury shops, turn right on Daylesford-Malmsbury Road (C316). Drive 5.5KM and turn left at Trickeys Lane, after 1.2KM turn left onto Lauriston Road. Drive another 3.3KM and turn left onto Portwines Road, follow that for 1.2KM and you will see the Portwines Road access carpark on the right.
If coming from the Melbourne direction, it is best to exit at the second Kyneton exit off the freeway. At the roundabout take the second exit, Beauchamp Street, drive 800 Metres then left on Mollison Street, 250 Metres and right on Piper Street (becomes Burton Ave). Drive 3.2KM and turn left on to Lauriston Rd and after 5.4KM Portwines Road will be on your right.
GPS: -37.22513, 144.36256.
When: Meet at Portwines Road access at 9:00am.
Bring: Water, snacks, binoculars, sunscreen, hat, sturdy shoes. We also strongly recommend that you wear long trousers and closed-in shoes.
More info: Jane Rusden, 0448 900 896, Judy Hopley 0425 768 559 or Bob Dawson 0417 621 691.
To discover more about Malmsbury Reservoir, click here.
Birdlife Castlemaine acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land where we are holding our 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.
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 our Facebook page the day before the event in case there is a cancellation.
This month we are heading to Lang’s Lookout, Mount Alexander Regional Park.
Be prepared to sit quietly in the bush, to observe the comings and goings of nature, and draw, paint, photograph, write about your experiences. No experience necessary.
What to bring:
– Sunhat, long sleeves and long trousers, sturdy footwear suitable for uneven ground.
– Sunscreen, water and snacks.
– 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.
– Your sense of curiosity.
Contact Jane Rusden on 0448 900 896 with any questions.
When and where: Sunday 5 March from 9:30am – 11:30am, at Lang’s Lookout, Mount Alexander Regional Park, Joseph Young Drive, Harcourt North. Meet in the car park by the antenna. Please note there are no toilets or shops available nearby.
GPS: -36.9907965, 144.3086956
Drypoint etching print of a Crested Shrike-tit, by Jane Rusden
The Loddon Plains Bird Day Out with Simon Starr is on Sunday 5 March. Please note we have not been given any further detail about this event; if you are keen to find out more we would suggest emailing the Landcare Network team.
During Nature Journaling before Christmas, we came across a pair of Gang Gangs. This stunning male posed so beautifully and impressed James Matcott from BirdLife Australia head office.
Find out more here.
Photo of male Gang Gang Cockatoo by Jane Rusden
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 (Beginner): Multiple Choice
What is Australia’s largest species of Kingfisher? Choose from the four listed below.
1. Sacred Kingfisher 2. Laughing Kookaburra 3. Red-backed Kingfisher 4. Blue-winged Kookaburra
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 (Obscure)
From the six species of Honeyeater listed below, which species is a member of the Myzomela genus?
1. Eastern Spinebill 2. Red Wattlebird 3. Fuscous Honeyeater 4. Scarlet Honeyeater 5. Brown-headed Honeyeater 6. New Holland Honeyeater
We are very pleased to announce that BirdLife Castlemaine District now has its own section within the overall BirdLife Australia website. We’ll be publishing news and details of upcoming walks and events.
You can find us here and read our recent news item on the very distressing mass water bird casualities at Bells Swamp.
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
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Quiz Answers
Question 1: The Laughing Kookaburra is Australia’s largest species of Kingfisher.
Question 2: Clockwise from top left – Australasian Grebe, Gang Gang Cockatoo (female), White-eared Honeyeater, Willie Wagtail.
Question 3: The The Scarlet Honeyeater is a member of the Myzomela genus.This is a genus of Honeyeaters with 39 species that’s geographically widespread, ranging from Indonesia to Australia and into the islands of the Pacific Ocean.
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