June Bird Walk – Saturday 7 June – Rise & Shine Nature Conservation Reserve, Sandon

Our June bird walk will be held on Saturday 7 June at the Rise & Shine Nature Conservation Reserve, Sandon. The area is rich in natural and human history. Well over 100 bird species have been recorded in the area, which has three distinct plant communities.

Following European settlement, gold was extracted in the 1850s and 60s. A water race was built during the 1930s depression and brought water from Daylesford to the Newstead reservoir until the 1980s. Gravel was quarried from parts of the reserve for road building until the 1980s. The loop track is about 3KM and is largely flat or relatively gentle rises and falls.

Interesting sightings in the last few months are Speckled Warbler, Restless Flycatcher, Dusky Woodswallow, Scarlet, Eastern Yellow and Flame Robin, Peaceful Dove, Brown Falcon, Musk Lorikeet, Golden Whistler along with several Pardalote, Thornbill and Honeyeater species.

Our walk leaders are Gary and Judy Smith.

ALL WELCOME!

Please note no toilets are available at the site.

Where: Rise & Shine is located off the Daylesford-Newstead Road, near Strangways. From Castlemaine, take the Pyrenees Hwy (B180) to Newstead, continue through Newstead, crossing the Loddon River and then turn left onto the Hepburn-Newstead Road (C285). Travel approx. 3.5KM then turn right onto the Daylesford-Newstead Road (C285). Travel approx. 3.1KM then turn right onto Ramseys Lane; in 700 metres the unsealed road turns sharply left. You will see a picnic shelter on the right which is at the entrance to the reserve. Park anywhere off the road.

GPS: -37.15923, 144.07697

When: Meet at Rise & Shine 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

To discover more about Rise & Shine Nature Conservation Reserve click here:

https://www.goldfieldsguide.com.au/explore-location/235/rise-and-shine-nature-conservation-reserve/

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

Nature journaling for June is taking place at Sinclairs Lane, Walmer, 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 warm clothing, long trousers, long sleeve shirt and sturdy shoes, for sun and snake protection, and a sunhat. 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 and snacks.

– Your sense of curiosity.

When and where: Sunday 1 June from 9:30am – 11:30am. Sinclairs Lane is best approached from the north. From Castlemaine follow signs toward Maldon, but at the Muckleford-Walmer Road turn right and head north. Turn left onto Carpenters Lane and head west to Sinclairs Lane where you turn left and head south. There’s a spot to park on the right side of the road, just before the historic Castlemaine Maldon Railway Line.

GPS: -37.01101, 144.13111

Frances Howe draws and paints the most beautiful birds and plants with her watercolour pencils

May Walk Wrap-up

Twenty-four birders gathered at the Malmsbury Botanic Gardens on a lovely autumn morning for the May bird walk. Thirty-seven species of birds were seen or heard as the group wandered from the gardens along the Coliban Channel. Quite a few water birds were observed and the group was delighted to observe a Whistling Kite and a Black-shouldered Kite sharing the same airspace! The full list of birds seen or heard can be found here.

Many thanks to Bob Dawson for leading the walk.

Pride Bird Walk Wrap-up

On a cool autumn morning nearly 40 people enjoyed the Pride Bird Walk along the Campbells Creek track. Quite a few birds were sighted, including Weebills, with the group getting very good close up views. Some saw a Black-shouldered Kite on the other side of the creek, hovering in good view, over the reclamation plant. Good views were also had of Crimson Rosellas, female Golden Whistler, Grey Shrike-thrush and various species of Thornbills including Brown, Striated and Yellow. Honeyeaters seen included Yellow and Eastern Spinebill. Maybe the highlight was a flock of at least a dozen Yellow-tail Black Cockatoos, that were seen and heard several times during the morning.

An enjoyable morning bird watching culminated in a delicious morning tea. Thanks to Jane Rusden and Tanya Loos (and others) who led the walk and thanks to all the participants, quite a few travelling from Melbourne to enjoy the walk.

The event was made possible through the collaborative efforts of Connecting Country, BirdLife Australia, Stak’s Café, The Good Op Shop and Castlemaine Community House.

Advance Notice – July Bird Walk – Bendigo Water Reclamation Plant, Epsom

Our Saturday 5 July bird walk will be to the Bendigo Water Reclamation Plant, Epsom. As usual there are some requirements we need to adhere to. Most important is the need to advise Coliban Water of all those that will be attending prior to the walk and also that we will be restricted to two groups of 20 people, i.e. 40 total.

Can all who intend on attending the walk please let Bob Dawson know preferably by email to bobadawson@hotmail.com or if unable to email, text to 0417 621 691. Please advise full names of all wishing to attend and a contact number.

The Coliban Water terms of access are as follows:

Your safety is our priority. Therefore, please read the conditions below and contact us immediately if you have any concerns about your ability to participate.

• Meet 15 minutes before the tour starts at Wallenjoe Rd carparking space, ready for your site induction.
• There will be a roll call, and participants are asked to confirm names and phone numbers.
• All participants will stay in the meeting area until the tour starts.
• All participants must comply with instructions provided by the tour guide. These instructions are for your safety and enjoyment.
• A maximum of 40 people can take part in the tour.
• Minors must be supervised by an adult. The adult is responsible for adherence to these conditions.
• All sites are to be regarded as industrial sites.
• The tour may include stairs, open grates, and elevated walkways. Participants are required to wear sturdy shoes (no high heels or open sandals) at plants, and any loose items such as mobile phones and wallets must be secured.
• Please wear clothing that is suitable for the conditions. This includes sun protection, closed-toe shoes, a jacket if it is cold and wet.
• The tour will be modified or cancelled if the tour leader considers that circumstances in any way compromise the safety of the group.
• Every effort will be made to facilitate tours. However, operational demands may, in some circumstances, result in the cancellation of tours at short notice.

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 Treecreeper is the mascot for BirdLife Castlemaine District? Choose from the list of six Treecreeper species below.

1. White-throated Treecreeper
2. Red-browed Treecreeper
3. White-browed Treecreeper
4. Brown Treecreeper
5. Rufous Treecreeper
6. Black-tailed Treecreeper

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 medium sized bird, approximately 30 to 35 centimetres in length, with a wingspan of approximately 90cm.
• I’m found in every mainland Australian state and territory.
• My diet mostly consists of small birds and large flying insects, which I catch and eat in flight, or on a high perch.
• I’m found in a variety of habitats; from open country and farmland to lightly timbered woodlands and urban areas.
• My nest is often an old or usurped stick nest from a Corvid or small bird of prey, usually over 10 metres above the ground in a treetop, but also on electricity pylons and communications towers.
• Usually seen singularly or in pairs, I’m an incredibly fast and agile flyer, moving with rapid wing beats and short glides, often in pursuit of prey.
• With a long sleek body, my plumage consists of steel blue upperparts with black cheeks and crown. Chin and throat off-white, while my breast, belly and thighs are a rust colour speckled with black. My underwings and undertail are finely speckled with black.
• I have angular long wings that are proportionally large for my body size, with a blue-grey bill, eye-ring and cere, and yellow legs and feet.

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Kind regards,

The BirdLife Castlemaine Committee

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Quiz Answers

Question 1: The Brown Treecreeper is the BirdLife Castlemaine District mascot.

Question 2: Clockwise from top left – Black-faced Woodswallow, Black-winged Stilt, Crested Pigeon, Australian Hobby.

Question 3: Australian Hobby.