Our March monthly walk will be held on a private property belonging to Max Kay in Yapeen (near Guildford).

Max is in the process of improving the vegetation on some of his property and is involved with the Connecting Country restored landscapes bird survey program. Private properties often give us a unique experience to see birds in areas that are less disturbed, so hopefully we will have some good sightings. Possible sightings for the area include a number of Honeyeater species i.e., Yellow-faced, White-plumed, Yellow-tufted and New Holland. Whistling and Black Kite, Goshawk, Sparrowhawk, Thornbills, Pardalotes and many other local species are also possible.

Connecting Country is a not-for-profit community group that works to increase, enhance and restore biodiversity across the Mount Alexander region of central Victoria. Check out their website and if you are interested in helping doing bird surveys, please contact them – they are desperate for more helpers.

Your walk leaders are Max Kay, Frances Howe and Bob Dawson.

ALL WELCOME!

Where: Max Kay’s property, 7281 Midland Hwy, Yapeen, is located approx. 9.4KM from Castlemaine along the Midland Hwy (A300). Travel toward Guildford and Max’s driveway is on the right, approx. 260 mtrs past the Vaughan Springs turnoff. There is a large white letterbox and a post with numbers 7281 attached. Drive down to the area in front of the house. There are toilets available at Max’s if required.

GPS: -37.13206, 144.17318. Google Maps Link is here. 

When: Meet 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

Midweek Bird Walk and Morning Tea – Thursday 19 March – Campbells Creek Trail

Our first midweek walk of the year will be held at the Campbells Creek Trail in Castlemaine on Thursday 19 March. For those wishing to enjoy a coffee and cake afterwards, we will be starting and finishing at the carpark near to Stak’s Café (by the Salvage Yard and Good Op shop) so anyone interested can stay for morning tea.

Possible sightings include Pied Currawong, Musk Lorikeet, Silvereye, Grey Fantail, Golden and Rufous Whistler and various Thornbills and Honeyeaters. Our walk leader is Bob Dawson.

Where: The walk starts from the carpark off Lewis Drive, Castlemaine. From the roundabout at the corner of Hargreaves and Forest Streets, travel west along Forest Street and turn left onto Barker St/Midland Hwy (A300, B180). Drive for approx. 1.6KM and turn right into Lewis Drive. Drive down but do not continue to the right on Lewis Drive; instead turn left into the carpark at the bend.

GPS -37.07453, 144.20262. Google Maps Link is here.

When: Meet at Campbells Creek Trail 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

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

March nature journaling will be at Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park, Campbells Creek.

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 1 March from 9:30am – 11:30am. Junction Arthur’s Track and Morris Track, Campbells Creek.

Drive south from Castlemaine on Midland Hwy A300, turn left onto Campbells Creek Fryers Rd, left at Hawkins Rd and turn left onto Arthur’s Track. Park at junction with Morris Track. This route avoids rough tracks not suitable for all vehicles.

GPS: -37.1027327, 144.2234895

Grey Fantail in charcoal and watercolour. Work in progress by Jane Rusden.

February Activities Wrap Up

Kate Millar, CEO of BirdLife Australia, visited Castlemaine on 13 February, and met with some of our Committee and local birders at the Coliban Water Treatment Plant Bird Hide.

Our 2026 walks program got off to a great start, with 29 attendees at our February Breakfast with the Birds and walk around Malmsbury Reservoir. It was great to have some first-timers join us, and also representatives from the BirdLife Bendigo-Echuca branch. Thirty-five species were seen or heard – for the list visit Birdata here.

Native Bird Hunting

Duck hunting season is approaching and there’s more pressure than ever on our native birds.

You can email your local MP to push for a ban via the BirdLife website here.

Pacific Black Ducks, bird hide at Coliban Water Treatment Plant, Castlemaine. Photo by Jane Rusden.

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 species of Swallow or Martin is a vagrant visitor to Australia? Choose from the list below.

1. Fairy Martin
2. Welcome Swallow
3. Barn Swallow
4. White-backed Swallow
5. Tree Martin

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 very small bird, approximately 10-12 centimetres in length.
• My range extends across all of mainland Australia. A seasonal migrant, I will move north for the winter.
• My diet consists of insects, which I catch and consume on the wing.
• I’m a gregarious species, feeding in large flocks. Sometimes mixed with other closely related species.
• My preferred habitat is open country near water, and I’m usually seen near nest sites, in cliffs, culverts or bridges.
• A colonial nester, I build bottle-shaped mud nests that are packed closely together on the ceilings of caves, and under bridges or other similar structures.
• My colours consist of an iridescent blue back, charcoal brown wings and tail, a rufous crown, and a whitish rump with dull white underparts.
• I have a short slightly forked tail which appears square in flight.

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     

Question 1: Barn Swallow

Question 2: Clockwise from top left – Fairy Martin, Red-browed Finch, Welcome Swallow, Tawny Frogmouth

Question 3: Fairy Martin