August Bird Walk Summary – Strangways

The August bird walk was held at the wonderful property of Andrew Skeoch at Strangways. The number of people who attended is an indication of the interest local folk and visitors from further afield have in visiting private properties where the land has been cared for over a long period of time. The variety of habitats for birds and other fauna together with the abundance of old trees and other native flora, certainly makes this property a haven.

We all enjoyed walking quietly and slowly through the bush and “extending our ears” as Andrew suggested. As with any group of humans, we made up for our period of silence by asking many questions during our group stops and chatting about the wonderful display of moss, lichen, fungi, native orchids. etc. that are enjoying the damp winter!

Many thanks to Andrew for welcoming us to his home and for imparting so much interesting information. We were fascinated to learn about the closed beak technique of birds such as the Painted Button-quail and the Bronzewing Pigeon to make their calls (and probably that dinosaurs also used this method to communicate)! Many birds were seen or heard with perhaps the highlights being an Owlet-nightjar that “popped up” from the ground to alight on a low branch and the appearance of a Wedge-tailed Eagle overhead just as Andrew was mentioning raptors!

September Bird Walk – Saturday 3 September – Crusoe Reservoir & No. 7 Park, Bendigo

We are delighted to announce that the next BirdLife Castlemaine District Branch bird walk will be held on Saturday 3 September at Crusoe Reservoir & No.7 Park, Kangaroo Flat. The local history is of gold mining with the original reservoir set up to supply the early miners camps. The local ecology is largely box/ironbark with a variety of indigenous vegetation.

Over 170 bird species have been seen at the reserve as well as other flora and fauna. Sightings include a number of species of Honeyeater including Scarlet Honeyeater, Great-crested Grebe, Red-kneed and Black-fronted Dotterel, Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo, Little and Musk Lorikeet and Chestnut-rumped Heathwren. Recently, Rose and Pink Robins and Painted Button-quail have been seen.

The track around the main reservoir is about 3.3KM and is largely flat and easy walking with plenty of seats along the way if needed, but there are shorter walks for those that may not want to go that far. Our walk leader will be David Hewett.

Note the area has all abilities access and there are toilets available.

ALL WELCOME!

Where: The Crusoe Reservoir is located on Crusoe Road, Kangaroo Flat. From Castlemaine, take the Pyrenees Hwy (B180) to the Calder Freeway (M79). As you come into Kangaroo Flat, you will pass Karinya Retirement Village (Aviva) on the left, just past that you will come to Furness Street (Harvey Norman is on the corner). Turn left and go to the end of Furness Street, then turn left into Crusoe Road. The gate to the reservoir is about 500 meters on the left. From Maldon, take the Bendigo – Maldon Road (C283) then left onto Calder Alternate Hwy (A790). After 850 metres turn right onto Crusoe Road. After 6.7KM, Crusoe Reservoir is on the right. We meet in the car park there. There is a small Crusoe Reservoir sign. GPS: -36.81677, 144.22310.

When: Meet at the Crusoe Reservoir &  No. 7 Park car park 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 Crusoe Reservoir & No. 7 Park click here.

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.

Nature Journaling with BirdLife Castlemaine District

September’s nature journaling session will be held on Sunday 4 September at Railway Dam, Chewton. Enjoy the bush and create while we watch wildlife, appreciate wildflowers, draw and chat. Nature journaling is an opportunity to sit quietly and watch the natural world do its thing.

What to bring:

– Something to sit on, your art materials and paper, writing materials, camera and binoculars if you have them.

– Water, snacks, sun hat and sunscreen.

– Please wear long sleeves, long trousers and sturdy shoes suitable for rough terrain. Rug up well in winter, you will be sitting still and will need very warm clothes.

– Your creativity.

All welcome – experience, or lack of, is immaterial.

Contact Jane Rusden on 0448 900 896 with any questions.

When and where: Sunday 4 September from 9:30am – 11:00am, Railway Dam, Chewton (the northern end of Railway Dam Road, Chewton – known as Paddle Dam or Railway Dam). GPS:-37.1050821, 144.2977086.

Watercolour with salt, which makes texture and suggestion of feathers. Crested-shrike Tit by Jane Rusden.

Final Reminder – Weekend Mallee Camp

A final reminder to all that are going to the campout at Hattah-Kulkyne National Park Friday 9 to Sunday 11 September that you must book your camp site on the website.

The main group and marshalling area will be at the Lake Hattah Campground and if that fills up then others will need to stay at the Lake Mournpall Camping area; we will take the travel time into account for the walks if that happens.

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 if we are very lucky, Malleefowl.

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 not always water in Lake Mournpall. On the Saturday we intend 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).

If anyone still wishes to be included, please advise Bob Dawson, preferably by email to bobadawson@hotmail.com or text if you are unable to email, 0417 621 691. If you turn up on the day then that’s ok also.

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

Photo of Hattah-Kulkyne National Park by Jane Rusden

The Welcome Swallows Move In!

We were delighted to be contacted by Hayden, a new member, who wanted to share the news about two Welcome Swallows who have decided to take up residence in his carport in Maldon. Here is the story in Hayden’s own words: “The pair started sleeping in my carport early Autumn this year and now spend every night there. During the day they join up with a second pair and the four of them spend the entire day doing mad loops around the buildings on my 1200sqm property (Maldon). Based from home, I see them out of the window all day as I sit on my computer, watching their incredible acrobatics and listening to their nice chirping when they take breaks and sit on the aerial above my window.

It looked very uncomfortable seeing them spend all night sleeping on the edge of the sharp and cold carport c-channel metal, but they persisted. Eventually I made them their own birdhouse, but they just sat right across from it looking at it for about 6 weeks, forgoing the penthouse comfort for the cold metal. Finally, they took the plunge and flew into the bird house, and haven’t looked back since. Every night at dusk they flutter in and settle down and still there in the morning; they head off about 1 hour after first daybreak.

I’m very happy to have my own private little vacuum cleaners in the air around my property. I’m hoping they will stay during the breeding season so I can see their young.”

Photo of Welcome Swallows enjoying their new home by Hayden

The 4th Annual Macedon Ranges Shire Bird Blitz

Sunday, 16 October 2022, 9:30am to approx. 2:00pm

We are calling on local citizen scientists with all levels of bird knowledge to help participate in the Macedon Ranges Bird Blitz. This much loved annual event is a great opportunity to get out in nature, improve your bird identification skills, and meet new people.

In 2022, BirdLife Castlemaine District is proud to be partnering with Macedon Ranges Shire Council and we think it’s a wonderful opportunity to spread our wings.

We have 96 bird monitoring sites to survey across the Macedon Ranges Shire Council region. Bird monitoring includes species and numbers of birds present – and helps us assess the health of our reserves and roadsides. And we can’t do this without your help!

On the Bird Blitz day, small groups of volunteers will each survey 3 to 4 sites. Each group will have at least one ‘leader’ who is confident with bird identification. If you are confident with bird identification from both sight and sound, i.e. bird calls, you may like to lead in a small group survey. We know some birders are the solo type and might wish to survey with just one buddy – please let us know of your preference when booking.

Meeting points and details of the monitoring sites will be provided prior to the Bird Blitz day. Jane Rusden and Tanya Loos will also host an online webinar with all participants in the week before the surveys to discuss sites and survey methodology.

An invitation to this meeting will be sent directly to participants. Contact Biodiversity Projects Officer Tanya Loos at tloos@mrsc.vic.gov.au.

Photo of Crested-shrike Tit by Jane Rusden

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

From the four species of Rosella listed below, which species is found on the label of a popular brand of tomato sauce?

1. Crimson Rosella
2. Eastern Rosella
3. Northern Rosella
4. Pale-headed Rosella

Question 2 (Intermediate): Who am I?

• I’m a medium sized bird approx. 33 to 38cm in length with a 90cm wingspan.

• I’m found in all Australian mainland States and Territories.

• My diet consists mainly of rodents; in particular the Common House Mouse, but I‘ll also eat grasshoppers and other small insects.

• I can often be seen hovering with legs dangling over open country, grasslands, paddocks, or roadside verges.

• My nest is a large, untidy, shallow cup of sticks, on a high tree or on an artificial structure such as a bridge or power pole.

• My colours are a white head, body, and underwing, with pale grey back and overwing. I have very prominent black shoulder patches and wing tips.

• I have very piercing red oval-shaped eyes, with a prominent black eye patch.

Question 3 (Advanced): Spot the Feathers

All four bird species pictured below are found in the Castlemaine district; what do you think these four birds are?

Bonus Question 4 (Obscure)

From the list of four Herons and Egrets below, which species belongs to the genus Egretta?

1. Great Egret
2. White-necked Heron
3. Intermediate Egret
4. White-Faced Heron

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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 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 Eastern Rosella is found on the label of Rosella Tomato Sauce.

Question 2: Black-shouldered Kite.

Question 3: Clockwise from top left – Spotted Harrier, Scarlet Robin, White-browed Woodswallow, Sacred Kingfisher.

Question 4: The White-faced Heron is a member of the Egretta genus. The Great Egret, Intermediate Egret and the White-necked Heron are all members of the Ardea genus.