Great Southern Bioblitz – Castlemaine Region 24-27 October

Posted on 16 October, 2025 by Lori

It’s the beginning of October and so wonderful to see the new growth and increasing activity in bushlands and gardens after so many months of challenging conditions. Trees, shrubs and other understorey plants are putting out new leaves and foliage, and canopies are becoming denser. Birds are calling and nesting. Frogs are croaking. Thankfully insects are about again, albeit not in good numbers yet, but Painted Ladies and some day moths are about. And we are already being treated with the bright colours of Myrnong, Waxlips, Leopard orchids and Caladenias, with scattered clusters of emerging leaves promising Helmet and Gnat orchids.

Hopefully while all of this is happening those of you who live in or visit the Mount Alexander Shire will be getting ready for the Great Southern Bioblitz 2025,which runs from midnight October 23 to midnight October 27. This is your opportunity to join other citizen scientists to help build the scientific databases that increase the knowledge and understanding of our bushlands and their biodiversity. These annual Bioblitz surveys collect vast amounts of data on species and distribution that would otherwise be unavailable.

The Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club are again hosting a count in this region and they’d love your contributions! If you can contribute, all you need is a camera or phone and enthusiasm!

You’ll find lots of information, including deadlines, tips on uploading your images to iNaturalist, the online global databank for observations of biodiversity and more on the Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club Great Southern Bioblitz webpage.