Wednesday, 29 April 2026
Dear Supporter,
Welcome to our May eNews!
This month’s issue includes details of our upcoming May walks, nature journaling, and Bird of the Month.
After much consideration we’ve decided to retire the monthly Quiz. It was originally launched during those dark days of the pandemic when there were no monthly bird walks happening, and we think now is the time to call time. Over the past six years, our quizmaster Ash Vigus has done an amazing job coming up with questions, finding fascinating bird facts and photos for every Quiz. We’d like to say a huge thank you to Ash for all the time and effort he has put in to keep us on our toes each month!
May Bird Walk – Saturday 2 May – Goldfields Track, Golden Point
Our May monthly walk will be held at the Goldfields Track on the edge of the Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park, Golden Point. The Goldfields Track is a 210KM track through some of central Victoria’s most historic towns and beautiful forests and runs from Mt Buninyong near Ballarat to Bendigo. The Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park is an approx. 75 square KM area rich in history both natural and human around Castlemaine. These days the Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park is popular for a variety of activities including bushwalking, scenic drives, cycling, picnics, exploring the mining relics and gold prospecting and of course birding!
Possible sightings include Scarlet and Red-capped Robin, Dusky Woodswallow, Peaceful Dove, Red-browed Finch, Musk and Little Lorikeet, Yellow-tufted, Yellow-faced, Fuscous, White-plumed, and Brown-headed Honeyeaters, Brown, Striated and Buff-rumped Thornbills plus many other regular suspects.
Your walk leader is Jane Rusden.
ALL WELCOME!
Where: The section of the Goldfields Track we are going to walk is off Chinamans Point Rd, Golden Point. From the roundabout in Castlemaine (cnr Hargreaves and Forest Sts) take the Pyrenees Hwy (B180) east for approx. 5KM and turn left onto Golden Point Rd. Drive for another approx. 1.5KM and turn left onto Chinamans Point Rd. We will be approx. 150mtrs along this road.
GPS: -37.07004, 144.27239. Google Maps Link is here.
When: Meet at the Goldfields Track 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 no toilets available.
Mid-week Bird Walk & Morning Tea – Wednesday 20 May – Castlemaine Botanical Gardens
Our second mid-week walk of the year will be held at the Castlemaine Botanical Gardens on 20 May. For those wishing to enjoy a coffee and cake afterwards, we will go to Coffee Basics Das Kaffeehaus at The Mill after the walk.
Recent sightings include Rose Robin, Golden Whistler, Red-browed Finch, Rainbow and Musk Lorikeet, Yellow, Brown and Striated Thornbill, a number of species of waterbird including Great, Little Black and Little Pied Cormorants plus various Honeyeaters and other regular local birds. Hopefully the Powerful Owls will also still be in residence.
Your walk leader is Bob Dawson.
Where: The walk starts from the carpark on Walker Street at the south end of the gardens. From Castlemaine (cnr Hargreaves and Forest Sts) travel west along Forest Street for 230mtrs and turn right into Barker Street. Drive about 1.2KM then turn left into Parker Street; after the railway crossing this road becomes Walker Street. You will see the parking area on the right about 100mtrs past the railway crossing.
GPS: -37.05568, 144.21433. Google Maps Link is here.
When: Meet at the Walker Street carpark at 9:00am.
More info: Bob Dawson 0417 621 691. Please note there are toilets available at the Botanical Gardens.
To discover more about the Gardens, 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.
May nature journaling will be at the Walmer Day Visitors area, Walmer Forest Reserve.
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 3 May from 9:30am – 11:30am. Walmer Day Visitors area, Walmer Forest Reserve, Daltons Rd, Walmer. Toilets are available, BYO toilet paper.
GPS: -37.0400360, 144.1963938
Quick 3-minute sketch of a Grey Teal duck, by Jane Rusden.
Our April monthly walk took more than 20 keen birders to Rise and Shine on a perfect autumn morning. Forty-seven species were seen or heard – for the full list check out Birdata here.
The Boobook Owl is perhaps our cutest owl species. They are also the smallest and very adaptable given their wide range of food sources and suitable habitats.
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 3 May – Nature Journaling Location: Walmer Forest Reserve, Walmer Leader: Jane Rusden
Wednesday 20 May – Mid-week Bird Walk – Birds & Cafe Location: Castlemaine Botanical Gardens Leader: Bob Dawson
Saturday 6 June – Bird Walk Location: Jubilee Lake, Daylesford Leader: Alan Crawford
Sunday 7 June – Nature Journaling Location: Herons Reef, Fryerstown Leader: Jane Rusden
Sunday 5 July – Nature Journaling Location: Chinamans Point Rd, Chewton Leader: Jane Rusden
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