Midweek Bird Walk – Wednesday 15 May 2024, Campbells Creek Trail

Posted on 30 April, 2024 by Ivan

Our friends and project partners at Birdlife Castlemaine District are holding a mid-week bird walk to showcase the ecological restoration along Campbells Creek and observe the native birds that have returned to the landscape. It will be a great chance for a casual stroll along an accessible trail with knowledgeable and passionate bird watchers, and an opportunity to learn more about restoring our local landscapes. 

Birdlife Castlemaine Midweek Bird Walk – Campbells Creek Trail

Castlemaine Birdlife second mid-week walk is to be held at the Campbell’s Creek Trail in Castlemaine on the 15^th May 2024. The trail runs from the Camp Reserve along Barkers and Campbells Creeks to the Campbells Creek township. The track is mostly flat providing easy walking and is wheelchair accessible. The walk runs partly through some areas of houses and commercial buildings but has good riparian vegetation thanks largely to the Campbells Creek Land Care group. Possible sightings include Pied Currawong, Musk Lorikeet, Silvereye, Grey Fantail, Golden and Rufous Whistler and various Thornbills and Honeyeaters. Our walk leaders will be Jane Rusden and Bob Dawson.

Where: The walk starts from the beginning of the trail which is off Forest Road just by the bridge over Barkers Creek, opposite Camp Reserve.

From the roundabout at the corner of Hargreaves and Forest Streets, travel west along Forest Street for about 500 meters, under the railway bridge and over Barkers Creek then park either in Gaulton or Forest Streets then walk back along the south side of Forest Creek toward the creek. We will be at the start of the Trail. GPS -37.06648, 144.21305.

When: Meet at the Campbells Creek Trail at 9:00am.

Bring: Water, snacks, binoculars, sunscreen, hat, and we also strongly recommend that you wear long trousers and closed-in sturdy shoes.

More info: Jane Rusden, 0448 900 896, Judy Hopley 0425 768 559 or Bob Dawson 0417 621 691.

Birdlife Castlemaine acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land where we are holding our 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.

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.

2024 Victorian Landcare Forum: 9 and 10 May in Bendigo

Posted on 24 April, 2024 by Ivan

To purchase your tickets to the Victorian Landcare Forum click here.

The 2024 Victorian Landcare Forum is is hosted by Landcare Victoria Inc.

Andrew Skeoch presentation: Tuesday 23 April 2024

Posted on 22 April, 2024 by Hadley Cole

Our friends at Newstead Landcare Group are hosting a wonderful presentation by local sound recordist Andrew Skeoch on Tuesday 23 April 2024 at 7.30pm at the Newstead Community Centre, Newstead. Newstead Landcare Group have shared the following information about this exciting presentation.

Each morning, primarily in the breeding season, there is a festival of birdsong in the half light before dawn. 

Why? And why specifically at dawn? What can we hear among song choice and repertoires? Why has this global phenomenon of avian life evolved, and what is its purpose? 

We are so excited that Strangways’ local sound recordist and author Andrew Skeoch will be presenting to our group again. Andrew’s talks unfold fascinating insights into how our ecosystems work and how we can relate to them. Drawing on his recordings and experience of dawn choruses from around the world, Andrew compares and contrasts how birds sing at daybreak, finding intriguing patterns of vocalising behaviour among even our most familiar songbirds. His conclusions integrate this phenomenon within wider understandings of the natural world, including ourselves.

Andrew Skeoch in the field.

Over the last thirty years, he has been documenting the sounds of environments around the planet, and through his label ‘Listening Earth’, published over one hundred recordings allowing listeners to immerse themselves in wild soundscapes from around the world. His recordings have been heard in documentaries, installations and feature films such as Peter Gabriel’s soundtrack to ‘Rabbit Proof Fence’. 

He has given presentations to audiences ranging from local community and school groups to university students, plus radio features, keynote addresses and a TEDx talk. He is the president of the Australian Wildlife Sound Recoding Group, and on the board of the Australian Forum for Acoustic Ecology. 

When: Tuesday April 23^rd at 7.30 pm

Where: Newstead Community Centre, Newstead VIC

All are welcome to attend and gold coin donations would be appreciated. Andrew will have copies of his wonderful book “Deep Listening to Nature” available for sale.

Talking turtles: Bendigo family sustainability day Saturday 20 April

Posted on 18 April, 2024 by Ivan

Looking to learn more about our terrific turtles this coming weekend? Our project partners at the Bendigo City Council are putting on two events in Bendigo, a fabulous day of sustainable fun and information themed around turtles, wildlife and biodiversity. There is a talk on at the Bendigo Library at 1.30pm, followed by a walk and talk at Kennington Reservoir, home to many turtle species in central Victoria. Please find more details, including booking information and what to expect below.

Family Sustainability Day

As part of the Kennington Reservoir Fish Habitat Project, we are excited to have Graham Stockfeld from Turtles Australia presenting at 2 events on Saturday 20^th April.

Event 1: Talkin’ Turtles at the Bendigo Library

1:30 – 2:30pm in the Performance Space as part of the Library’s Sustainable Saturday event

Come along to meet some live turtles and learn about turtle biology, ecology, threats and what we can do to protect them.

Event 2: Talkin’ Turtles at Kennington Reservoir

3pm – 4pm

Graham will share his knowledge on turtles, talk about the project at Kennington Reservoir and about what we can do to manage and protect them.

For anyone interested, more info on the project can be found here: https://go.bendigo.vic.gov.au/kenningtonfishhabitat

Please share the info with anyone that you think might be interested.

For bookings: CLICK HERE

2024 Landcare Link-up: Caring for Significant Old Trees. Sunday 19 May 2024

Posted on 18 April, 2024 by Ivan

As part of Connecting Country’s ongoing support for Landcare groups in the Mount Alexander/ Leanganook region, we coordinate an annual Landcare Link-up to provide groups with an opportunity to get together, learn, share and connect. It’s also a great opportunity for anyone not yet engaged in Landcare to learn more about what’s involved and hear about the amazing success stories in our region.

Our guest speaker, Dr. Steve Griffith has published numerous research papers on the topics of creating artificial hollows in trees, and his research into Australian Microbats and insectivorous bat species is also widely regarded. He has a long list of publications and is currently employed as an Adjunct Research Fellow in Animal Plant & Soil Sciences at LaTrobe University. We are certain most of you have met the passionate Bev Phillips from the Maldon Urban Landcare Group, who has spent many years documenting our significant native trees around the Maldon region with MULGA, and has incredible ecological knowledge of our local region and beyond.

Significant Old Yellow Box (Eucalyptus melliodora) at Bill Woodfull Reserve, Maldon. Photo by Bev Phillips.

 

It’s sure to be an interesting and engaging event, with a focus on Landcare activities, and practical know how followed by academic research into a new and exciting field. Afternoon tea will be provided for free during the event.

Bookings are essential for catering purposes. To book your place, please -click here

Everyone is welcome!

LOCATION

For any inquiries please email: hadley@connectingcountry.org.au or call the Connecting Country office on: 0493 362 394

We thank the Ian and Shirley Norman Foundation for their support of this event and our larger project regarding the importance of large old trees.

Bird of the Month: Laughing Kookaburra

Posted on 16 April, 2024 by Ivan

Welcome to Bird of the month, a partnership between Connecting Country and BirdLife Castlemaine District. Each month we’re taking a close look at one special local bird species. We’re excited to join forces to deliver you a different bird each month, seasonally adjusted, and welcome suggestions from the community. We are blessed to have the brilliant Jane Rusden and Damian Kelly from BirdLife Castlemaine District writing about our next bird of the month, accompanied by their stunning photos.

Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae)

The sausage thief, Laughing Kookaburra mug shot. Photo by Jane Rusden

As we all know, the logistics of picnicking can be challenging when there’s a hungry, daring and intelligent Laughing Kookaburra around. I’ve watched a group of young kids cook sausages on the BBQ while camping, getting thoroughly bullied by a Kookaburra as they attempted and failed, to protect their cooking food. The bird dropped off a perch, wings out and gaining speed to dart deftly between the children, and snatch a fat sausage off the BBQ plate in its powerful bill. The poor kids were helpless against the crafty Kookaburra, what’s more the bird knew it, as did the kids. 

Laughing Kookaburra, the blue on the wing and rufous on the tail and rump is clearly visible. Photo by Damian Kelly.

An iconic bird that is always identified by its loud, often communal ‘laughing’ calls that echo throughout the bush. In reality these calls are mostly about delineating territories. Originally only resident in eastern Australia, it has been introduced to Western Australia, Tasmania and King Island. Even a few birds were introduced into New Zealand. It was popular amongst the early European settlers due to its abilities in snake catching and this probably contributed to the desire to introduce it into other areas. 

Due to its adaptability, it can be found in a wide range of habitats ranging from open forest to rainforest, parks, suburban gardens, farming areas and even sugar cane fields. It has adapted quickly to altered habitats and will readily take food from humans. In some areas studies have shown that up to 75% of their diet comes from people feeding them. They also take reptiles, insects, earthworms, yabbies and rodents. Small birds and native marsupials can also be part of their diet in some areas. 

Kookaburras are usually sedentary, remaining in the same territory all year. Although they perch in trees, the bulk of their prey is caught on the ground. Sitting on an elevated tree perch, power pole or on powerlines, they sit motionless watching for movement on the ground before diving down to collect their prey.  

As well as being an adaptable predator, the Kookaburra has a complex social structure. Generally, a breeding pair are assisted by offspring from previous broods who help with feeding. Some of these helpers can stay for up to 4 years. Communal behaviour also extends to roosting at night where a whole group will roost close together on the same branch. 

Laughing Kookaburra with a skink meal. Photo by Jane Rusden

Nests are usually in tree hollows, although in suitable areas they may also utilise arboreal termite nests. Usually only one clutch of 2-4 eggs is laid each season. Asynchronous hatching in the nest results in a hierarchy in size of the nestlings and in times of food shortage some weaker birds will not survive. Unfortunately, some decline in populations has been observed as the bird is at risk from human activities ranging from pesticide use to the loss of tree hollows as a result of land clearing. 

Laughing Kookaburra emerging from a nest hollow, having fed its young. Photo by Damian Kelly

Find more information on the Laughing Kookaburra, including their calls, click here.

Connect with Nature Event: Loddon Wetlands 20 & 21 April 2024

Posted on 15 April, 2024 by Ivan

Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club: April 2024 talk

Posted on 10 April, 2024 by Ivan

As a monthly tradition, our friends at Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club (CFNC) hold a meeting with a guest speaker on the second Friday of the month, followed by a group excursion or field trip the following day. Castlemaine Field Nats provided the following details about their April 2024 meeting, which look very interesting and exciting. All are welcome to attend. For more information on CFNC, please visit their website – click here

Monthly Meeting:  Friday 12th April, 7.30pm, Uniting Church Fellowship Room, Lyttleton St. Castlemaine

Speaker: Professor Tim Entwisle, “Evergreen and Entwisleia: a botanical life, and a seaweed”

Professor Tim Entwisle is an author, botanist and former director of botanic gardens in Melbourne, Sydney and London. He also lived for a few years at Yapeen and completed his final years of secondary school at Castlemaine High School. In 2022, Tim published a memoir called “Evergreen: the Botanical Life of a Plant Punk” (Thames & Hudson), and this will be the subject of his talk for us on 12 April.

He will explain why he became a botanist (and phycologist) and some of the highlights of his three decades working in, and visiting, botanic gardens around the world. Tim will also share with us the story of a seaweed (an alga) called Entwisleia bella, and how this came to be named after him. (Tim will bring some books for sale and signing).

All welcome.

Tim with Entwisleia bella