September Bird Walk – Saturday 6 September – Goldfields Track, Mt Alexander Regional Park

Our September bird walk will be held on Saturday 6 September on a section of the Goldfields Track, from the Leanganook Camping Area at the Mt Alexander Regional Park, Harcourt North.

The habitat is open with Manna Gums, grassy woodland and scattered wattles. If the weather is relatively warm, we might see some early spring arrivals. Birds may include Varied Sitella, Golden Whistler, Grey Currawong, Eastern Yellow, Flame and Scarlet Robins, White-throated Treecreepers, various Honeyeaters, Thornbills, and Pardalotes. Our walk leader will be Bob Dawson.

ALL WELCOME!

Please note there are toilets available at the site.

Where: Mt Alexander Regional Park is around 2KM as the “Raven” flies from Harcourt although it is a longer and more roundabout drive. From the Castlemaine roundabout head east along the Pyrenees Hwy (B180) for approx. 5KM and turn
left onto Golden Point Rd. Drive approx. 5.3KM and turn left onto Harmony Way (C794). Cross under the freeway and after just under 500mtrs turn right onto the Faraday-Sutton Grange Rd. Drive for 3.4KM and turn left onto Joseph Young Drive. Travel for approx. 2KM and you will arrive at the Leanganook Campground on the left. (it is signed). Drive in and look for our BirdLife sign.

GPS: -37.01740, 144.30633.. Google Maps Link is here. 

When: Meet at Leanganook Campground carpark at 9:00am.

Bring / wear: Water, snacks, binoculars, sunscreen, hat, long trousers, sturdy closed-in shoes.

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

September is arguably the beginning of wildflower season and Fryers Ridge is one of the best spots, exploring nature and recording what you observe. Led by artist and bird nut, Jane Rusden. No experience is necessary and beginners are very welcome.

What to bring / wear:

– Wear very warm clothing and sturdy shoes. Note we will be on rough bush tracks, occasionally off track 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, such as a camp chair or rug.

– Water, hot drink and snacks.

– Your sense of curiosity.

When and where: Sunday 7 September from 9:30am – 11:30am. Junction of Old Tower Track and Fryers Ranges Rd, Taradale. The easiest approach is from Pyrenees Hwy. Turn south at the awkward junction where care is needed, on to Railway Dam Rd. At 2KM, turn left on to Fryers Ranges Rd. Drive about 6.6KM up the ridge to the junction of Old Tower Track and Fryers Ranges Rd.

GPS: -37.1451160, 144.2964362

Hattah Kulkine Mallee habitat, sketchbook drawing in watercolour and pencil, by Jane Rusden

Birding Weekend, Myrtleford, 24-26 October

We have decided to have our 2025 birding weekend around Myrtleford, Victoria. The area has a number of different types of habitat but the main reason is it being close by wet forest, in particular the Mount Buffalo National Park. The wet forest birds that we may find are Superb Lyrebird, Pilotbird, Satin Bowerbird, Red-browed Treecreeper, Rufous Fantail, Olive Whistler, and Eastern Whipbird plus various Honeyeaters and Robins. In fact, it is possible to see eight species of Robin in the area including Pink and Rose.

At this stage the details have not been finalised, but we are looking at areas in and around Myrtleford including the Poo Ponds, Lake Buffalo and some local forest tracks.

For accommodation there are three caravan or camping parks in Myrtleford itself plus hotels and motels in the town, and a number of B&Bs etc., in the general area. If you intend on going, we suggest booking your accommodation as soon as possible to secure a place.

As usual we suggest driving up on the Friday to get settled in if you can. There will be walks organised for Friday afternoon, Saturday morning and afternoon and Sunday morning. If enough people are interested, we may look at doing a night walk on the Saturday. A communal dinner will also be arranged for the Friday night at a hotel or restaurant in Myrtleford.

For more information regarding the area, click here:
https://www.victoriashighcountry.com.au/destinations/myrtleford/
https://www.alltrails.com/australia/victoria/myrtleford–2/birding
https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-see/parks/mount-buffalo-national-park

For those interested in the weekend, please advise Bob Dawson by email so that you can be notified of the details as they become available.

August Walk Wrap-up

Twenty-eight birders enjoyed a great morning at Glamorgan Reef Bushland Reserve, Yandoit. We saw 28 species, with the highlights being Scarlet Robin, Yellow Robins and some entertaining White-eared Honeyeaters.

Many thanks to Bob Dawson for leading the walk.

New Bird Hide at Coliban Water Reclamation Plant, Castlemaine

There’s a brand new and stunning repurposed shipping container bird hide at Coliban Water Reclamation Plant in Castlemaine!

This is one way Coliban Water gives back to local communities and they are passionate about our native wildlife. In September, native plantings adjacent to the bird hide will provide habitat for bush birds and an even richer birding experience. BirdLife Castlemaine District has provided a bunch of wetland and shorebird guides for the new hide.

To apply for a key and user agreement, contact Coliban Water.

Phone: 1300 363 200
Email: communications@coliban.com.au
Website: coliban.com.au

Once the ramp goes in, it will be wheelchair accessible.

The new repurposed shipping container bird hide at Castlemaine Water Reclamation Plant, 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

From the following list of Corvids (Ravens and Crows) which species is not endemic to Australia?

1. Little Raven
2. Torresian Crow
3. Australian Raven
4. House Crow
5. Little Crow
6. Forest Raven

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 massive bird, approximately 1.5 to 1.9 metres in length, with a wingspan of up to 2.6 metres.
• I’m found in all Australian states and territories, as well as Papua New Guinea and western Indonesia.
• My diet consists exclusively of fish.
• I’m found across a variety of marine habitats, including fresh, estuarine, and marine wetlands and waterways, including lakes, swamps, rivers and coastal environments.
• My nest consists of a scrape in the ground prepared by the female. She digs the scrape with her bill and feet and lines it with scraps of vegetation and feathers.
• A highly social bird, I will often feed in a cooperative group; sometimes these groups can be quite large. A flock will work together using their bills to herd a concentrated mass of fish into shallow water.
• My colours consist of a white head, neck, breast, and underparts, with black upper flight feathers. The upper feathers on my tail are also black, but with a prominent white V marking. With immature birds the black markings can appear a brownish colour.
• I have a huge, elongated pink coloured bill, 40 to 50 cm in length, with massive throat pouch.

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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 House Crow – a species of Corvid native to the sub-continent and parts of south-east Asia.

Question 2: Clockwise from top left – Yellow-tufted Honeyeater, Black Kite, Noisy Miner, Red-capped Robin (female).

Question 3: Australian Pelican.