Bird of the Month: Australian Darter

Posted on 25 June, 2026 by Hadley Cole

Article by Damian Kelly and Jane Rusden

Australian Darter in flight. Photo by Damian Kelly.

The Australian Darter (Anhinga novaehollandiae) is a strange but elegant looking bird, with its highly mobile snake like neck and long sharp bill earning it the name snakebird. Adding to the snakebird illusion is it’s swimming behaviour, with it’s body fully submerged and only the snakey neck and bill visible above the water. However, snakes are not on the menu for the Darter.

Darters, or Anhingas as they are sometimes known, consist of three species which are spread across the world: one in Africa, one in Asia and the third in Australia and Papua New Guinea. They can be found everywhere except Europe and Antarctica.

The Darter can be seen around Mount Alexander shire on larger bodies of water such as reservoirs and bigger dams and sometimes rivers if deep enough. It’s a native species that has benefited from recent land management practices, in this case the enlargement and creation of larger scale water catchment areas.

So why does a Darter love a deep water body? Well it’s a large diving bird (75-80cm long) and catches fish underwater. It can easily stay submerged for a minute or more as it hunts, often spearing the fish with its long sharp bill. With good underwater vision it easily navigates the darker depths. Food includes a variety of fish, including the introduced carp which are considered a pest, as well as insects and tortoises collected on the water and on banks where they like to catch a bit of sun at times.

A family huddle of Darters. Photo by Damian Kelly.

The majority of birds have very waterproof feather structure that holds a lot of air, but similar to cormorants, the Darter has only partially waterproof feathers. This makes them expert divers, allowing them to easily slip under water without resistance or any buoyancy. It also means their wings get very wet, so you will often see Darters drying out on a perch near water with wings elegantly spread out after they have been in the water.

They are good flyers and will soar up high when conditions are favourable. They are known to travel long distances with movements of more than 2000 km recorded at times, depending on conditions.

Nesting occurs near rivers and lakes with a platform of twigs and sticks (see photo). It will breed at any time of the year, depending on conditions. Usually 2-4 eggs are laid and both parents feed the young. Darters tend to be solitary, although sometimes they congregate in small groups where there is an abundance of food and will sometimes nest associated with cormorants.

In the field at a distance Darters can sometimes be confused with cormorants but the long thin neck is the clear marker of this species. A stunning bird with glossy feathers and wings held out to dry, often with their reflection in the water below their perch.

Bird of the Month is a partnership between Connecting Country and BirdLife Castlemaine District. Each month we take a close look at one special local bird species. We are very grateful to have the brilliant Jane Rusden and Damian Kelly from BirdLife Castlemaine District writing these! We’re excited to join forces to deliver you a different bird each month, seasonally adjusted, and welcome suggestions from the community.

2026 Landcare Link-up: The Adaptation Game (TAG) Session

Posted on 22 June, 2026 by Hadley Cole

On Saturday 20 June, Landcare Group representatives from around the Mount Alexander Region came together for the annual Landcare Link-up event. This year Connecting Country teamed up with Mount Alexander Shire Council to present facilitated sessions of The Adaptation Game, a tabletop game designed to prepare residents for impacts of nature disasters and climate change. According to Mount Alexander Shire Council; “The Adaptation Game is based on scientific evidence about how climate change will affect Mount Alexander Shire specifically, exploring practical ways to adapt and contribute to community resilience, as well as understand the projects and programs already being implemented by council and community.”

The game was developed to be adapted to local councils across Victoria, providing opportunity for residents and local councils to reflect on individual and community preparedness under predicted conditions of climate change. For a more detailed description of the game head over to the Mount Alexander Shire Council website – click here

Saturday’s Landare Link-up saw representatives from Guildford Upper Loddon, Golden Point, Barringhup, Castlemaine, and Maldon Urban Landcare Groups, as well as Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club, come together and play the game alongside Connecting Country staff. Participants were allocated to two groups and each played a round of the game. Each group was facilitated by trained facilitators, Darren Tinker (Connecting Country Committee Member) and Brendan Garrett (Mount Alexander Shire Council Climate Change Coordinator).

The game involves various scenarios based on scientific evidence and predictions such as a bushfire, storm, or flood. The bushfire scenario was very close to home and the predictions reflected actual events. This encouraged much discussion around what participants did and didn’t do during the January 9 fires, and how prepared people felt when responding to evacuation warnings. A total of four rounds can be played in the game and, depending on the participants, each round can take up to an hour or more. The nature of the game offers structured scenarios that encourage conversation and reflection on preparedness, connections within the community (such as Landcare), and the amount of community and individual energy input required for responding to natural disasters and climate change.

Landcare representatives and Connecting Country staff enjoyed participating in the game and showed an interest to be part of future sessions.

Connecting Country’s Mount Alexander region Landcare Facilitator Lori Arthur reflected “It was great to have Landcare representatives come together and share ideas, lessons and reflections on their preparedness for potential natural disasters and changes in climatic conditions. It was evident how knowledgeable Landcare members are in understanding the landscape, how climate change risks may play out and what actions community can take, both as individuals and as a collective whole” 

The 2026 Landcare Link-up was made possible thanks to funding from the Ian & Shirley Norman Foundation and DEECA and supported by Mount Alexander Shire Council.

Mid-May Workshops with Newstead Natives

Posted on 11 June, 2026 by Hadley Cole

In May, Connecting Country teamed up with Frances Cincotta from Newstead Natives to present two propagation workshops at her nursery in Newstead. The popular sessions booked out quickly and also had a lengthy wait list! Plant-smith Frances has decades of experience growing indigenous and native species and she generously shared her knowledge on how to sow seed, divide plants and use cuttings for propagation.

Keen participants came from various locations, within and also just out of the Mount Alexander Shire, from Newstead, to Castlemaine, Taradale and Daylesford. Frances talked us through the various propagation methods she uses for growing on plants as well as follow up care required to grow healthy, vibrant tube stock!

Participants learnt how to collect seed and sow plants such as Berry Saltbush (Atriplex semibaccata) and Windmill Grass (Chloris truncata), as well as grow on species such as Yam Daisy (Microseris walteri), Buloke (Allocasurina luehmanii), and Hedge Salt Bush (Rhagodia spinescens). 

Photos above show participants pricking out and dividing plants in the hot house.

Participants reported that they enjoyed an excellent morning of learning and getting their hands in the soil and walked away with a greater understanding of propagating local plants.

We hope to hear from participants of the workshop in the future and learn how they have applied their propagation skills to local restoration projects.

This workshop was made possible thanks to funding through the Ian & Shirley Norman Foundation.

National Tree Day 2026 – Sunday 26 July 10am to 12 pm

Posted on 9 June, 2026 by Bonnie Humphreys

Connecting Country and Harcourt Valley Landcare Group invite you to a National Tree Day Planting on Sunday 26 July 10am to 12pm.

We will be planting a mix of grasses and shrubs along Barkers Creek at Harcourt (just north of the playground) to help create habitat and restore vegetation to this area.

There will be activities for the whole family, with nest box painting, water-watch bug identification, a wren garden demonstration, colouring and more.

A free BBQ lunch will be provided by Rotary Castlemaine.

When: Sunday 26 July from 10am to 12 pm

Where: Barkers Creek at Harcourt. Park just north of the playground along High Street and follow the signs across tollgate bridge and to the picnic ground.  – See Map

Please bring:  Your own drinking water and your favourite planting tools.

Wear: gardening/leather gloves, hat, and wear sturdy footwear and clothing suitable for the weather.  Gumboots might come in handy!

This event offers an opportunity for the Mount Alexander community to come together and support Harcourt to restore and enhance our local biodiversity. All welcome!

A big thank-you to the event sponsors – Ian & Shirley Norman Foundation, The Good Op-shop, North Central Catchment Management Authority and Mount Alexander Shire Council.

last years planting @ Campbells Creek

Environmental support for bushfire recovery in Harcourt and surrounds

Posted on 2 June, 2026 by Bonnie Humphreys

Connecting Country is grateful to be able to offer opportunities to support environmental recovery on private land in and around fire affected areas in the Mount Alexander shire and surrounds, thanks to a range of philanthropic and government funders.

Support available (but not limited to) includes;

• Property visits, ecological assessments and advice
• Nest boxes
• Contributions towards weed control
• Minor erosion mitigation works
• Reintroduction of woody habitat
• Revegetation of local indigenous shrubs and trees.

We are looking for properties that have a commitment to ongoing low-level maintenance of nest boxes, weed and pest animal control.

While we have secured funding to support these actions, Connecting Country is always looking for opportunities to support landholders within the Mount Alexander Shire with environmental improvements and habitat restoration, so reach out if there are other environmental actions that have not been covered and we will investigate opportunities for you as they become available. Priority for this project will be given to properties that most closely align with funding priorities and guidelines.

Landholder expressions of interest

If you meet the criteria above and are keen to protect and restore your habitat, please complete our expression of interest form –EOI Click Here

Return it to Connecting Country via email (bonnie@connectingcountry.org.au)

Expressions of interest for current funding close on 13 July 2026.

Funding is provided through Ian & Shirley Norman Foundation, Wild Houses, Landcare Australia and North Central Catchment Management Authority.

Bird of the month: Rose Robin

Posted on 25 May, 2026 by Hadley Cole

Article by Damian Kelly and Jane Rusden.

Beautiful rose breasted Red Robin. Photo by Damian Kelly.

When it’s cold and miserable in the depths of a Castlemaine winter, the sighting of a very beautiful Rose Robin is always a joy.

The Rose Robin is one of the the smallest of the Australian Robins. It also differs from most other robins as it is the most arboreal of the group. It prefers to forage for insects in the middle and upper layers of the forest unlike most other robins that often feed low and on the ground. They can be found in wet forests from the Otways all the way up to central Queensland.

It is possible to confuse the Rose Robin with the related Pink Robin at first glance as they can be found in similar habitats. The Rose Robin does not occur in Tasmania but the Pink Robin does. However, they have different shades of pink and the Rose Robin is grey on the head and neck whilst the Pink Robin is black. Pink Robin females have buff wing-bars compared to the whitish bars for the Rose Robin. Both species tend to inhabit similar habitats.

Rose Robin. Photo by Damian Kelly.

Generally breeding occurs between October and January, often in mountain areas. Nests are built by females, but both parents feed the young. Usually nests can be found 20 metres or higher in the tree canopy. The nest is cup-shaped and made of fibres and moss held together with spiders’ web. It is not uncommon for a pair to raise two or three clutches in a season. Close observation has shown that a pair will often return to the same nesting location and often the same tree year after year. Usually 2-3 eggs are laid.

After breeding, mountain populations descend to lower altitudes for the winter months. In cooler weather this species has been recorded around Castlemaine. Food consists of insects and other small arthropods, often caught on the wing. As they tend to inhabit denser tall forests they can be tricky to view. In the field often they can be picked up from their darting movements and trilling call.

The male and female appear quite different – the male has the distinctive rose breast with a dark grey head and neck whilst the female is much browner than the male with only a pale wash of pink on the breast.

Bird of the Month is a partnership between Connecting Country and BirdLife Castlemaine District. Each month we take a close look at one special local bird species. We are blessed to have the brilliant Jane Rusden and Damian Kelly from BirdLife Castlemaine District writing these! We’re excited to join forces to deliver you a different bird each month, seasonally adjusted, and welcome suggestions from the community.

Book Launch: Vagabond – the Story of Charles Sanger

Posted on 19 May, 2026 by Lori

A new edition of the Friends of Ironbark-Forests book, Vagabond, the Story of Charles Sanger will be launched by local author Robyn Annear at 12pm this Saturday (23 May) in the Castlemaine library foyer. The book was first written in 2008 by Bernard Slattery, Doug Ralph and Deirdre Slattery and published by Friends of the Box-Ironbark Forests.

Due to continued interest in the book FOBIF decided on a new edition after the first one sold out. With a new cover and layout, the 2026 version fleshes out some of the stranger themes in the story and suggests that Sanger’s case was not an isolated one.

The Sanger story

The book is the story of a Fryerstown man, Charles Sanger (1880-1953).  ‘He was a dashing but elusive character. Journalists called him the Fryers Bushranger, but he never held up anyone with a gun, and the gun he did have never worked anyway.   He served time in jail, but was well liked by ordinary people. He was one of the last of the bush hermits, and his story is also the story of the changing bush, of a time lost in history, and of a quiet country community that looked after its own.’

When: Saturday 23 May 12 noon

Where: Castlemaine Library Foyer

Everyone is welcome at the launch and refreshments will be provided. Vagabond will be available for sale for $18 on the night and also available at Stonemans Bookroom and the Castlemaine Visitors Information Centre after the event.

You can find out more about the book and how to purchase it online on the FOBIF website.

Reconciliation Week 2026 in the Mount Alexander Region

Posted on 18 May, 2026 by Lori

Reconciliation Week follows Sorry Day (26 May) running from May 27 to June 3 each year.  This years theme, All In for Reconciliation, is a reminder that it’s the responsibility for all people who call this beautiful continent home to learn the shared histories of this land and contribute to building cultures that can celebrate the leadership of First Peoples and support their self determination.

Reconciliation Week events and Sorry Day in Mount Alexander region – at the foothills of Liyanganyuk Banyul – are coordinated by Friends of Nalderun in partnership with Nalderun Education Aboriginal Corporation, Mount Alexander Shire Council and a diverse range of local organisations.  There is a large vary of activities and events to learn more and get involved including Sorry Day commemorations, school sessions and film screenings.

Included this year is a special event in Guildford on Sunday 31 May, Guildford Biyal (Red Gum) Honouring Day celebrating the Guildford Big Tree.  The day will include a Welcome to Country, Djaara Women’s dancers, launch of the Reconciliation Seat (crafted with timber from the fallen limb of the big Biyal), free BBQ, music, First Nations stalls and more!

Check out the range of activities on the Reconciliation Week Brochure 2026_Mount Alexander Region (Digital Brochure).

Bush Heritage Call Out for Volunteers to assist in Conservation of Reserves

Posted on 14 May, 2026 by Lori

Interested in occasional conservation work on a beautiful reserve?

Shingleback Lizard taken at the Dalyenong Reserves (now known as Yirat Gurrk) – John Van Tiggelen

Bush Heritage Australia is looking to establish a Whatsapp group of potential volunteers in the Castlemaine/Newstead/Maldon area to accompany the Reserve Manager to work on Bush Heritage Australias beautiful forest and heathland reserves in western Djaara Country.

Tasks might include erosion mitigation, revegetation, weeding, fencing and basic infrastructure work.

How it will work: the Reserve Manager (who’s based in Castlemaine) will post a request from time to time seeking help on Reserve for a day. Volunteers (up to three, but typically one or two) would be picked up en-route and dropped home afterwards. The reserves are an hour’s drive west of Maldon.

Please note the work can be physically challenging, and volunteers may be selected based on experience. How many days you put your hand up for is up to you: even one or two a year is very welcome. You’d need to register as a volunteer with Bush Heritage and comply with BHA safety protocols.

Bush Heritage is a not-for-profit co-founded by Bob Brown: you can find out more about the organisation and the Djaara reserves here: Healthy Country Protected Forever | Bush Heritage Australia

Anyone interested please contact John van Tiggelen on john.vantiggelen@bushheritage.org.au or 0407 339915.

Life on the Wing – exhibition by Jane Rusden

Posted on 14 May, 2026 by Lori

Local artist, Jane Rusden, is no stranger to Connecting Country.  As well as being a fabulous artist, Jane is President of Birdlife Castlemaine District, hosts numerous bird walks and nature journaling adventures and collaborates with Damian Kelly to showcase birds of the Central Victorian Region through our Bird of the Month partnership.  Later in May, Jane is holding an exhibition of her artwork, focusing on birds and a few insects. Jane’s ‘Life on the Wing’ is an exhibition celebrating the resilience of wildlife in the face of adversity.

Image: Jane Rusden, “Female Gang Gang Cockatoo Foraging Geebung”, 2025,
Watercolour, graphite and charcoal on paper, 3.5 x 1.5 meters (detail)

Life on the Wing:  21 May – 8 June 2026

Opening: 5-7 pm Friday 22 May

Artpuff Studio, The Mill, 9 Walker Street, Castlemaine

Opening hours: Thurs – Sun 11 – 5 (+ public holidays 11-3)

Come along, bring a friend and soak up Jane’s incredible work!

Free Mental Health First Aid Course Fri 22 & 29 May 2026

Posted on 30 April, 2026 by Hadley Cole

As part of our Drought Resilience Project, Connecting Country is offering the Mental Health First Aid Course for Landcare and community members at no cost. The course runs across two full days, Friday 22 May and Friday 29 May from 9.30am – 4.30pm at the Uniting Church in Castlemaine.

This course is a great opportunity for Landcare and community members to develop skills in providing initial support for another adult experiencing a mental health problem or mental health crisis until appropriate professional support is provided or the crisis is resolved.

As we have seen in various climate disaster events over the years and most recently in response to the January 9 fires, Landcare and grass roots community organisations are often called upon to help coordinate and support community in the aftermath of disasters. Considering this, the Mental Health First Aid offers an opportunity for Landcare members to respond with confidence and base level knowledge when supporting community members who have experienced trauma.

For more info and bookings – click here

Talking Wildlife with Tanya Loos Weds 29 April

Posted on 23 April, 2026 by Hadley Cole

Join us on Wednesday 29 April 2026 for a fun and informing evening of discussions with Tanya Loos on supporting wildlife in extreme weather.

The talk will be hosted by Castlemaine local Dave Stephens, who is known for his long bike rides across the Australian landscape (Wilsons Promontory to Darwin!) to raise money for endometriosis, and is sure to have lots wildlife related stories from his adventures.

Tanya Loos is a nature writer, field naturalist and author of Living with Wildlife: a guide for our homes and backyards, which was published in 2024. Tanya explains herself as being a “mad keen naturalist since I was six or so – with Gerald Durrell and David Attenborough my biggest influences as both naturalist and writer.”

Tanya is also known for her book Daylesford Nature Diary: six seasons in the foothill forests. This book is a collection of nature diary articles, set to a specially devised local calendar, and illustrated beautifully throughout by Anne Mason. It also features photos kindly donated by naturalists across Victoria. She has also made numerous appearances at various events across Central Victoria, as well as local and ABC radio.

We are looking forward to chatting with Tanya and learning about some of the ways we can support our local wildlife in extreme weather such as, fire, flood, storms and drought.

Come along bring a friend and enjoy some pizza and drinks at the wonderful Shedshaker Taproom.

When: Wednesday 29 April, 5.30 – 7.30pm

Where: Shedshaker Taproom, The Mill, 9 Walker Street Castlemaine VIC

Cost: Free!

Bird of the Month: Boobook Owl

Posted on 23 April, 2026 by Lori

Bird of the Month is a partnership between Connecting Country and BirdLife Castlemaine District. Each month we take a closer look at a special local bird species . Thanks always to the brilliant Jane Rusden and Damian Kelly for these wonderful articles and fabulous photos. 

David Fleay, in his classic book ‘Nightwatchmen of Bush and Plain’ and the first comprehensive study of Australian Owls, Frogmouths and Owlet Nightjars, describes Boobook Owls as the most versatile of them all.  A small pretty owl with grey green eyes surrounded by a dark facial disc, they can be found in a wide variety of habitats from dry inland areas to coastal areas and wet mountain forests. If you have camped out, you have probably heard the characteristic two-syllable call “boobook”. From time to time our authors have heard them calling in Castlemaine and the bush around Campbells Creek, as well as observing them in the Castlemaine Botanic Gardens and Kalimna area.

The habitat range of the Boobook Owl extends to Papua-New Guinea, Indonesia and adjacent islands. Related species can be found in New Zealand and Norfolk Island. There are various sub-species with varying plumage patterns. Like the Silvereyes we wrote about last month, the Tasmanian sub-species migrates each year, island hopping across Bass Strait to spend winter away from the colder Tasmanian conditions.

Breeding sites are generally in tree hollows and often occurs later than other owl species such as the Powerful Owl, typically August to December. One to four eggs are laid, usually in a deep hollow, but occasionally on a cliff or in a cave. The white eggs sit on wood debris, which can stain brown patterns on the eggs.

Food includes insects, especially nocturnal beetles and moths, along with small rodents (such as mice), small marsupials, bats, birds, frogs and lizards. This reflects their adaption to a wide range of ecological niches across all of Australia and beyond.

Alas, populations are in decline, brought on by habitat loss, particularly the destruction of large trees with hollows, and poisoning due to the use of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs). To help Boobook’s, protecting habitat, large old trees and younger trees that will become large old trees over time, is vital. Probably the simplest way to protect birds such as the Boobook, along with other owl species, eagles, magpies, as well as other wildlife and even our much loved family pets, is to use alternatives to SGARs to control rats and mice. There are many options including humane traps, natural deterrents, physically blocking up access holes and reducing food availability by keeping areas clean.

Words by Jane Rusden and Damian Kelly.  Photos by Damian Kelly.

Bird of the month: Silvereye lateralis and All at Once SciArty installation at Castlemaine State Festival.

Posted on 30 March, 2026 by Lori

Bird of the Month is a partnership between Connecting Country and BirdLife Castlemaine District. Each month we take a closer look at a special local bird species thanks to the brilliant Jane Rusden and Damian Kelly.  This month they take us on an exploration of the migration habits of Silvereye lateralis, as beautifully detailed through art in the recent All at Once exhibition as part of the Castlemaine State Festival.

Life size model of Silvereye lateralis, in the All at Once installation, the Goods Shed, Castlemaine. Photo by Jane Rusden

Lately Damian and Jane have been working hard on researching the Tasmanian breeding race Silveryeye lateralis, and their incredible migration behaviour. As part of the Castlemaine State Festival, they have collaborated with an amazing group of fellow scientists and artists and helped build the All at Once installation, located in The Goods Shed, near Castlemaine railway station. The result is an artistic expression of the migration many Silvereyes make across Bass Strait and back each year.

 Silvereyes weigh a tiny 10grams, their wing span is 17cm and bill tip to tail tip only 15cm. There are life size models in the All at Once exhibit, if you like to see for yourself how small they are. Despite their petite size, many of the Tasmanian breeding Silvereyes migrate to South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and southern Queensland for the winter months, returning to Tasmanian in spring. You may see these Silvereyes in your garden in Castlemaine.

 The specific route these Silvereyes are using to cross Bass Strait and make their way to gardens in Castlemaine, is not entirely known. But it’s thought they fly from the northern eastern shore of Tasmania to Cape Liptrap and Wilson’s Promontory, via the Furneaux Group of islands. They probably partly use fat stores to fuel their journey, but also drop in to the islands to forage and rest.

The All at Once installation at the Goods Shed explores the migration habits of Silvereye latoralisJane Rusden)

 Some rough distances the Silveyes cover:

•  North east Tasmanian, cross Bass Strait to Wilson’s Promontory 240km.
• Wilson’s Promontory to Castlemaine 330km.
• Wilson’s Promontory to Brisbane 1800km.
• Maximum distance across ocean 50km.

 Just before the Silvereyes lateralis flock departs Wilson’s Promontory, they make a specific contact call which is thought to organise the flock whilst migrating. They prefer to leave an hour before dawn on dry days, but will also leave at night. Navigation is via the earths magnetic field, sun position and learned route finding. When they head out over the ocean from Wilson’s Promontory, they fly due south, which means at some point their course is corrected so they find the islands.

 So how do you know if you’re looking at a Silvereye lateralis? Unlike the other races of Silvereyes in Australia, their flanks are a buff or tan colour, harder to see is their pale or white colouring under their chin and around the vent area under the tail. Interestingly, bird banding showed the same pair of Silvereyes turning up in a Sydney garden 3 times in 4 years, so we know they return to places they have been before, year after year.

 The silver or white ring around the Sivereyes eye, is a ring of tiny white feathers. Isn’t that beautiful.

Living With Wildlife – an evening with Tanya Loos

Posted on 17 March, 2026 by Bonnie Humphreys

Fencing Field Day: Friday 27 March

Posted on 5 March, 2026 by Bonnie Humphreys

Connecting Country is pleased to be presenting a Fencing Field Day.

Whether you are looking to learn how to fix or maintain your own fences for stock, or build exclusion fences for vegetation, or maybe looking to volunteer to help others build fences, this is the workshop for you.

Working with an experienced local fencer and farmer, this workshop will give participants a practical and hands-on education on aspects of building farm and environmental fencing. There are also opportunities to learn how to retrofit farm fencing to exclude rabbits, or other pest species.

The day will be held at a property in Harcourt where participants will learn from start to finish how to construct a fence, with insights into all those little time saving tricks that experience brings.

Lunch and afternoon tea will be provided.

When: Friday 27 March 9.30 am to 2.30 pm

Where: Harcourt (Venue information provided after booking)

Tickets only $30  Register here 

This workshop is funded with support from the Ian and Shirley Norman Foundation.

Bird walk with Birdlife Castlemaine at private property in Yapeen – Saturday 7 March 2026

Posted on 26 February, 2026 by Lori

BirdLife Castlemaine District holds monthly bird walks on the first Saturday morning of each month, and all ages and birding abilities are welcome. Walks last for about two hours.

The March bird walk will be on a very special private property belonging to Max Kay in Yapeen (near Guildford). As well as his role as Connecting Country’s Treasurer, Max has a strong commitment to restoring habitat on his historical farm property. With the help of Connecting Country and other groups, he has set aside areas to protect remnant vegetation, restore creekline and reintroduce understorey plants.  Over time these actions have improved habitat for birds and other animals.Private properties often give us a unique experience to see birds in areas that are less disturbed, so we’re hoping for some interesting birds. Possible sightings for the area include honeyeaters (Yellow-faced, White-plumed, Yellow-tufted and New Holland Honeyeater) and raptors (Whistling and Black Kite, Goshawk, Sparrowhawk). Thornbills, Pardalotes and many other local species are also possible.

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

ALL WELCOME!

Where: Max Kay’s property, 7281 Midland Hwy, Yapeen VIC, is located approx. 9.4 km from Castlemaine along the Midland Hwy (A300). Travel toward Guildford and Max’s driveway is on the right, approximately 260 m 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.   GPS: -37.13206, 144.17318. Google Maps Link is here.

When: Meet at 9:00 am.

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

BirdLife Castlemaine works closely with Connecting Country, including supporting Connecting Country’s long-term woodland bird monitoring. New bird survey volunteers are needed to contribute to this valuable database. Please contact Connecting Country if you’re a birder and interested in helping.

For more information about BirdLife Castlemaine’s activities, please visit the Birdlife Castlemaine District website.

Clean Up Australia Day – Sunday 1st March 2026!

Posted on 26 February, 2026 by Lori

Together, we can make a big, positive impact on our environment – one piece of litter at a time!

Clean Up Australia Day is an annual nationwide event focused on empowering local communities to clean up, fix up and conserve the natural environment.

Registration for Clean Up Australia Day is free for communities and schools (businesses pay a small fee). Registration ensures groups are covered by the public liability insurance, and groups also receive a free Clean Up kit with all the materials required to host a safe and successful event.

Local Landcare and Friends groups of the Mount Alexander/ Leanganook region often host a Clean Up Australia Day event. Please see below a list of local events happening across our region or to find events happening near you – click here .

Campbells Creek and surrounds – Friends of Campbells Creek Landcare Group

Help to clean up rubbish along the creeks & trails, followed by a social morning tea.

Where: meet at the bus shelter next to Winters Flat Footbridge, opposite 61 Johnstone Street (Midland Highway), Castlemaine, and then spread to various locations to gather rubbish and return it to a skip at Winters Flat. e (for google map link: click here)

When: Sunday 1 March 2026,  8am-10am

What to bring: hats, gloves, sturdy clothing, enclosed boots/shoes, sun protection, a rake if you have one, your own water (and a friend).   Morning tea provided.

Expedition Pass Reservoir – Golden Point Landcare Group

Did you enjoy the Res this summer? Come along for the annual Clean Up event that keeps the Res clean and beautiful!

Where: Meet at Expedition Pass Reservoir (The Res), Golden Point Rd. Golden Point

When: Sunday 1 March 2026, 10.00 am

What to bring: Hats, sunscreen, sturdy footwear, water bottle, gloves and a friend!

Barkers Creek Reservoir – Harcourt

Did you enjoy the Res this summer? Come along for the annual Clean Up event that keeps the Res clean and beautiful!

Where: Meet at the toilet block at Barkers Creek Reservoir

When: Sunday 1 March 2026, 10.00 am

Rabbit Control Field Day – Book Now!

Posted on 23 February, 2026 by Bonnie Humphreys

Connecting Country in partnership with Guildford and Upper Loddon Landcare Group and the Victorian Rabbit Action Network (VRAN) is pleased to present a Rabbit Control Field Day in Guildford.

Saturday 14 March 2026 – 9.30am to 1.30pm

Rabbits have been in our landscape now for over 100 years and we still have not managed to successfully control them. We do however have research into the best methods and the most successful techniques. Now is the best time of year to implement them.

February and March are a particularly good time of year to get on to rabbit control as natural food in the environment is low. Using a range of methods in the right order (‘integrated pest management’) and at the right time of year will ensure you the most success with the least effort.

VRAN have been working on identifying the most successful recipe for control and passing on their knowledge though workshops, practical demonstrations and providing educational resources. We are lucky enough to be able to bring them to Guildford to share this knowledge with you.

There will be a presentation in the morning, followed by a field trip and discussion on site. All located close to the centre of Guildford. Morning tea and lunch will be provided.

We are also inviting local contractors who would like to be part of the event, to get in touch with us at info@connectingcountry.org.au This can be a great opportunity to introduce yourself to local landholders and Landcare representatives.

This event is free but registration is required for catering purposes.

Register: https://www.trybooking.com/DJJOI

Bird of the month: Swallows and Martins

Posted on 19 February, 2026 by Hadley Cole

Bird of the Month is a partnership between Connecting Country and BirdLife Castlemaine District. Each month we take a closer look at a special local bird species . Thanks always to the brilliant Jane Rusden and Damian Kelly for these wonderful articles and fabulous photos. Photos above (left to right): Fairy Martin and Welcome Swallow. By Damian Kelly.

Swallows and Martins are often observed at high speed, zipping around in summer skies, as they twist and turn in pursuit of flying insects. A delight to watch, but from a distance they are often tricky to differentiate as often more than one species can be seen together. In fact, there are four species in this region: 

All are members of the Hirundinidae family and they exclusively feed on the wing, catching a variety of flying insects. In flight they can be distinguished by their long pointed wings and small bills with wide gapes, to easily catch airborne insects. As aerial specialists they have quite weak feet adapted to perching rather than walking. They tend to be gregarious (hanging out in flocks) and often associate in multi-species groups when prey is abundant, as well as forming breeding colonies in season. Which can add to the complexity of identifying which species are present in a flock. Calls of all species are soft and not distinctive from a distance.  

White-backed Swallow. Photo by Damian Kelly.

Identifying the individual species at a distance relies on colour and feathers, particularly the tail. The White-backed is the easiest as it is the only one with a distinctive white and black pattern. But it is the least common in this region, preferring northern areas. 

Juvenile Welcome Swallow. Photo by Damian Kelly.

The Welcome Swallow is the most common and has a deeply forked tail with a very dark back and is rufous-brown around the throat and face. It is often seen in conjunction with the Fairy Martin. The Fairy Martin can be distinguished from the Welcome Swallow by its white rump and rufous-brown over the head but not the throat.  

 The two swallow species have deeply forked tails, where as the two Martin species have a shallow fork in their tails, which can be hard to see at times. 

Tree Martin. Photo by Damian Kelly.

Unlike the others, the Tree Martin is more often found in more timbered habitats. It lacks the rufous patterning and is pale beneath. As the name implies, it needs trees and other hollows for breeding. Also they mostly migrate north in the cooler months, where as with both Swallow species, some migrate north and some don’t which makes them partial migrants. 

 Welcome Swallows and Fairy Martins build mud nests (see photos), often located around bridges and buildings, unlike Tree Martins which generally nest in tree hollows. White-backed Swallows excavate horizontal tunnels in stream banks and mounds of earth. Needless to say, the species that build mud nests are often to be seen near water, although I have frequently seen them raiding puddles for just the right consistency of mud for their nests. 

Fairy Martin nests made of mud. They have the distinctive slightly drooping tunnel that leads into the nest chamber. Photo by Damian Kelly