FREE First Aid training – 18 June 2019

Posted on 2 May, 2019 by Frances

FIRST AID TRAINING

Be prepared and help look after yourself and those around you
Learn how to give First Aid or update your knowledge
Gain an essential life skill that everyone should have!

What would you do if you’re with:

• A friend who was bitten by a venomous snake or spider?
• A child who is unconscious and bleeding?
• A family member who might be having heart attack or stroke?

Connecting Country has funding through the Victorian government to provide free First Aid training to community members. Anyone who is volunteering in the environment space, doing conservation work on their land, or thinking of joining a Landcare or Friends group is especially encouraged to register. Training will be delivered by Castlemaine District Community Health with all costs covered by Connecting Country. All are welcome to register, but places are limited, so get in quick!

Level II First Aid Training (#HLTAID003 Provide First Aid)

When:           Tuesday 18 June 2019 from 9.00 am to 4.00 pm
Where:          Castlemaine – venue be confirmed
To register:   Email margaret@connectingcountry.org.au with your name, email address and phone number
More info:     Please call 5472 1594 or email margaret@connectingcountry.org.au

A shorter CPR refresher course (#HLTAID001 Provide Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) is available for those with current first aid qualifications, as part of the same training session. Contact us for details.

For a training information poster, please click here

2019 Biolinks Alliance Symposium: Bolstering the refuges

Posted on 1 May, 2019 by Ivan

This year’s Victorian Biolinks Alliance symposium is on ‘Bolstering the refuges: Restoring health and resilience to remnant ecosystems at a time of climate change‘.

It will held on Friday 24 May 2019 in Euroa VIC.

Speakers include:

• Jacqui Stol of CSIRO – Box Gum Woodland restoration and woodland birds.
• Associate Professor Euan Richie – Ecosystem restoration and reintroduction of function for, and by, digging mammals.
• Professor Don Driscoll – Insects in fragmented agricultural landscapes.

This stimulating event is a great networking opportunity. Field-based workshops on ecosystem-process restoration will also explore some practical dimensions of restoring grassland and woodland ecosystems, visiting innovative local projects.

For more information and to book, please visit the Biolinks Alliance website: click here

Connecting Country is a member of the Biolinks Alliance.

Eastern barred bandicoot (photo from Biolinks Alliance)

May 2019 bird walks with BirdLife Castlemaine

Posted on 1 May, 2019 by Ivan

Come and join Birdlife Castlemaine District on two great walks coming up in May! For details, please see the following information from Birdlife Castlemaine.

Saturday 4 May 2019 – Red, White and Blue Mine Site, Muckleford Forest

As usual, we will do a couple of 20 minute 2 hectare surveys. If we’re really lucky, we may even spot some Swift Parrots at this site! Asha Bannon will lead us on a gentle walk along Bells Track, which is a level and easy-to-follow path. We won’t be going far (2 km maximum). Information about the site’s history, ecological values, and location can be found here.

Please note that there is a dam near the car park and, while the mine is covered, there are some decent-sized gaps in the mesh, so keep a close eye on any children you bring along.

Location and directions: From Castlemaine, take the Castlemaine-Maldon Road. Turn south onto Muckleford-Walmer Road, then right onto the Muckleford School Road, continuing into Muckleford Forest. We will meet at the car park next to the mine, at the intersection of Bells Lane Track and Red, White and Blue Track.

Time: Meet at Red, White and Blue Mine at 8.30 am, or to carpool from Castlemaine meet at 8.15 am outside Castlemaine Community House (former Continuing Ed), 30 Templeton Street, Castlemaine VIC.

Following the walk, you are welcome to join us at the BirdLife Castlemaine District Annual General Meeting.

Sunday 26 May 2019 – Rise and Shine Reserve, Sandon

Join BirdLife Branches Ballarat and Castlemaine District for a bird walk at Rise and Shine Reserve, located between Newstead and Daylesford. The Reserve is a hot spot for renowned photographer, ecologist and blog publisher Geoff Park. We will walk a loop on rough dirt vehicle tracks, with the possibility of walking off track through the bush. Afterwards if you’re keen for more bird watching, you can do the Rise and Shine Reserve Nature Walk accessed via Ramseys Lane.

Location and directions: Turn off the Daylesford-Newstead Road onto Zumpes Road, which is narrow a dirt road with blind crests. Continue straight ahead at the first road junction (turning left will take you to private property). Currently there are beehives on your right. Strictly speaking you will no longer be on Zumpes Road. Shortly after this is another road junction with a ‘No Through Road’ sign on it – find a place to park here.

Time: Meet at Rise and Shine Reserve at 9.00 am, or to carpool from Castlemaine meet at 8.30 am outside Castlemaine Community House (former Continuing Ed), 30 Templeton Street, Castlemaine VIC.

Important information about walks: Bring water, snacks, binoculars, hat, sunscreen, sturdy shoes, long pants during snake season, and other weather-appropriate gear.

Walks will be cancelled if the temperature is forecast to be 35 degrees or more during the walk period, severe weather warnings are forecast, and/or if the day has been declared a Total Fire Ban.

Questions? If you have questions about our walks program, you can email BirdLife Castlemaine at castlemaine@birdlife.org.au, or call Judy Hopley (0425 768 559) or Asha Bannon (0418 428 721).

Previous bird walk at Pastoria East (photo by Shane Carey)

BirdWatch workshop – 19 May 2019

Posted on 1 May, 2019 by Jess

Bird monitoring at Connecting Country

Scientific monitoring has always been a high priority at Connecting Country. As of 2019, our staff and volunteers have collected over 24,000 individual bird records, and our data has been analysed by experts at BirdLife Australia and La Trobe University.

Thanks to funding from the Helen Macpherson Smith Trust for our Habitat Health Check project, we’re transitioning from in-house monitoring to a community-driven monitoring model. This program will draw upon the power of the community to contribute as volunteer citizen scientists. Our citizen scientists are key players in the entire scientific process – including the development of research and monitoring questions – as well as collecting data.

We’re lucky to have lots of beautiful birds in the Mount Alexander region (photo by Jane Rusden)

Here is your opportunity to get involved!

Connecting Country and Birdlife Castlemaine District are running a workshop from 1.00 pm on Sunday 19 May 2019 in Chewton VIC.  We’ll be asking community members what we most need to learn about birds in the Mount Alexander Shire. There will be lots of opportunity for your input and discussion.

If you’re interested in local birds, we’d love to have your input on the day. In the meantime, please have a think about what questions you have about our bird populations.

Register here: https://www.trybooking.com/BCLHD.

Please feel free to contact jess@connectingcountry.org.au if you need any further information.

White-throated treecreeper (photo by Jane Rusden)

Also – save the date!

We will be recruiting team leaders and volunteers to inform and guide our various citizen science programs (including birders, nest box enthusiasts, plant nuts, reptile watchers and froggers).  To start with, Birdlife Castlemaine district and Connecting Country will be running a workshop on bird monitoring in the afternoon on Sunday 23 June 2019. Details to follow!

BirdLife Castlemaine AGM – 4 May 2019

Posted on 18 April, 2019 by Ivan

BirdLife Castlemaine District Branch is holding their 2019 Annual General Meeting (AGM). The meeting will follow the bird walk scheduled for Saturday 4 May at Muckleford Forest. Morning tea will be available from 11.00 am.

Owlet Nightjar at Moonlight Flat (photo by Frances Howe)

Birdlife Castlemaine District 2019 AGM
When: Saturday 4 May 2019 at 11.30 am
Where: 2356 Pyrenees Highway, Muckleford South VIC

Birdlife Castlemaine are keen for nominations for the committee. A nomination form for committee positions is can be obtained by emailing castlemaine@birdlife.org.au. The positions vacant are Convenor, Secretary, Treasurer and general committee members. A proxy voting form is also available via email or print.

Nomination forms and proxy voting forms should be emailed to castlemaine@birdlife.org.au, or posted to:
Secretary, BirdLife Castlemaine District Branch, 9 Tingay Drive, Campbells Creek, VIC 3451

Nominations will also be accepted on the day of the AGM.

Victorian Weeds Conference – 7-8 May 2019

Posted on 18 April, 2019 by Jacqui

Registrations are open for the Victorian Weeds Conference in Echuca on 7-8 May 2019.

Learn about community approaches to tackling Gorse, a Weed of National Significance (Photo: Victorian Gorse Taskforce)

We are excited to see local group the Tarrangower Cactus Warriors presenting on the role of biological control in the war against Wheel Cactus, as part of the community action session. The broader conference program will cover a diverse and interesting range of topics including environmental and agricultural weed control, biological control, community action, species in the spotlight, innovative solutions, and demonstrations.

The program includes an optional lunch cruise through the Gannawarra Wetlands at Koondrook on 8 May 2019.

Victorian Weeds Conference 2019

Where: Mercure Port of Echuca, 465 High St, Echuca VIC
When: 7-8 May 2019
Cost: $100-$210, see pricing details here

For registrations and further information: visit Weed Society of Victoria website (www.wsvic.org.au/events) or email Bec James (admin@wsvic.org.au).

Registrations close on 1 May 2019.

Beginners farm fencing course – 28 April 2019

Posted on 16 April, 2019 by Frances

Back by popular demand!

Due to the success of the March course, Hillside Acres is running another Beginners Farm Fencing course on Sunday 28 April 2019 in Harcourt VIC.

Jarrod from Hillside Acres says:

‘We will build a new farm fence so you can try all the skills that go into fencing. You will come away with the skills and knowledge to design and construct a new fence, and repair old fences.’

This hands-on course will be run in Harcourt from 8.30 am to 12.30 pm with a substantial and yummy morning tea supplied.

Cost is $150 per person.

This will be a fun and friendly opportunity to learn farm fencing.

To see the course flier – click here

For more information and bookings contact Jarrod by email (info@hillsideacres.com.au) or phone (0438 069 849).

The fencing course will take place on the Hillside Acres farm

Desperate plight of the Orange-bellied Parrot – 8 May 2019

Posted on 16 April, 2019 by Frances

Bendigo Field Naturalists Club and Snowgum Press Films are presenting a special screening of the documentary ‘The Desperate Plight of the Orange-bellied Parrot’, a film by David Neilson on Wednesday 8 May 2019 in Bendigo, Victoria

The Orange-bellied Parrot migrates between the Australian mainland and Tasmania, spending summer breeding in Tasmania and winter in coastal Victoria and South Australia. It is one of Australia’s most threatened species, with less than 50 parrots thought to exist in the wild. Like many of our local birds, threats include habitat loss and modification, predation by cats and foxes and weeds, as well as collisions with structures, and inbreeding.

This is a fundraising event for the critically endangered Orange-bellied Parrot. All funds raised go to support conservation efforts. Tickets are $15 (children free). Numbers are limited so register now to secure a seat. A special ‘meet the film-maker’ session and nature photography discussion is available prior to the screening ($20).

For further information please see the flyer – click here.

To book your seat contact Bendigo Field Naturalists Club via their website (http://www.bendigofieldnaturalists.asn.au) or email (info@bendigofieldnaturalsts.asn.au).

To find out what is being done to preserve the habitat and remaining populations of the Orange-bellied Parrot, please visit the Birdlife Australia website by clicking here

Male Orange-bellied Parrot . Photo: Birdlife Australia

Two male Orange-bellied Parrots. Photo: Birdlife Australia

Easter walk with Friends of the Box-Ironbark Forests – 21 April 2019

Posted on 16 April, 2019 by Ivan

The Friends of the Box-Ironbark Forests (FOBIF) are conducting their monthly walk this Easter Sunday (21 April 2019), along Salters Creek near Castlemaine. These regular Sunday walks (click here for dates) are free and open to anyone to join. They meet at 9.30 am outside Castlemaine Community House (30 Templeton St, Castlemaine VIC) and carpool to the start of the walk. Please bring water, morning tea and lunch. Walks usually finish mid afternoon and are cancelled on Total Fire Ban days in the area.

Salters Creek

This month’s walk will be along Salters Creek in Glenluce. Starting at the Hunters track dam, the 5 km walk includes some tracks, some walking through bush along the creek bed and a couple of rough steep climbs. FOBIF suggests that if you usually use walking poles, bring them along for this walk. As it’s Easter Sunday they have planned a shorter walk and plan to be back in town by 1.00 pm.

For more information contact Julie Hurley or Rex Odgers on 0427 002 913.

Thick-tailed Gecko (Underwoodisaurus milii) in Strangways (photo by Patrick Kavanagh)

 

Learning under the stars – Camp Out on the Mount 2019

Posted on 16 April, 2019 by Asha

Over 130 people attended the popular Camp Out on the Mount last weekend! Every year we invite people to gather for a fun night of camping and learning, to celebrate the beautiful Leanganook/Mount Alexander and the work that Landcare and Friends groups do all year round.

Saturday evening commenced at Leanganook Camping Ground with a beautiful Welcome to Country from Aunty Kerri Douglas representing Dja Dja Wurrung. She invited everyone to take off their shoes and connect to country around the campfire. Harcourt Lions Club prepared and served a delicious BBQ to the crowd. Once the coals in the campfire had settled in, the Mellick-Cooper family carried on tradition by setting up their damper-making table for all to share.

As the sun set, Mike Hayes from Parks Victoria gathered a group of about 50 together to set out on a spotlighting night walk through the bush. The group included all ages from babies to teenagers to adults. The group spotted two Brush-tailed Possums – a delight for everyone, but especially special for our visiting students from France!

On Sunday morning, campers were woken by a chorus of birds and a sunny morning. Things kicked off again with morning tea provided by Murnong Mummas, followed by a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony with Uncle Michael Bourke. With a further welcomes from Maree Edwards MP, Connecting Country, Little Habitat Heroes, and Harcourt Valley Landcare, local legend George Milford then facilitated a discussion between local experts, including Terri Williams (Bendigo TAFE), Michael Bourke (Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation), Ian Braybrook and Marilyn Bennet (authors of ‘Sarah’s search – a silk odyssey’). They spoke about the values of the mount from the perspectives of the environment, culture, and heritage.

Local musician Eva Popov delighted us with her song, ‘Seeds that grow’, encouraging everyone to join the chorus around the campfire. The song is about the mount and the revegetation planting done by Little Habitat Heroes.

Little Habitat Heroes volunteers ran a lovely Bush Playgroup where kids could do things like play with clay and colour in pictures of wildlife while listening to the talks and singing.

Keen participants then joined a special activity to clean native Tree Violet seed ready for planting, kindly donated by Frances Cincotta from Newstead Natives. All were encouraged to take some seed home to grow their very own Tree Violet, which provides habitat for native birds and other wildlife.

To wrap up the weekend, everyone was invited to make their way down to the Old Silk Worm Farm site to see the heritage ruins and the amazing land restoration work done. Work so far includes pine removal at past Camp Out on the Mount events, and revegetation of 900 plants by Little Habitat Heroes with support from Connecting Country. Free ‘Camp Out on the Mount’ t-shirts, designed and printed by Big Tree T-shirts and funded by Mount Alexander Shire Council, were a great souvenir for people to take home.

This free annual event was organised by Connecting Country, Little Habitat Heroes and local Landcare groups, supported by funding from North Central Catchment Management Authority through the Victorian Landcare Program, and Friends of the Box-Ironbark Forests. Connecting Country and Little Habitat Heroes would like to say a huge ‘thank you’ to everyone who helped to make the weekend a success, including everyone who volunteered their time to make sure things ran smoothly.

Jodi from Little Habitat Heroes (photo by Robyn Miller)

Camp out on the Mount 2019 (photo by Leonie van Eyk)

Smoking ceremony on Sunday morning (photo by Robyn Miller)

Auntie Kerri Douglas giving Welcome to Country on Saturday evening (photo by Robyn Miller)

Connecting Country staff cleaning Tree Violet seed (photo by Heather Barrett)

Uncle Mick Bourke on the Sunday panel (photo by Robyn Miller)

Marilyn Bennet and Ian Braybrook speaking on the Sunday morning panel (photo by Robyn Miller)

Eva Popoz singing her song ‘Seeds that grow’ (photo by Robyn Miller)

Jarrod Coote from Harcourt Valley Landcare talking about Landcare on the Sunday morning (photo by Robyn Miller)

Maree Edwards MP saying a few words on Sunday morning (photo by Robyn Miller)

Gathered around the campfire on Saturday night (photo by Robyn Miller)

George Milford interviewing Terri Williams (Bendigo TAFE) and Uncle Mick Bourke (Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation) (photo by Leonie van Eyk)

Harcourt Lions Club volunteers getting ready to serve a BBQ to a hungry crowd (photo by Robyn Miller)

Exploring at the old Silk Worm Farm site (photo by Robyn Miller)

Bonnie and Nina listening to panel of speakers (photo by Robyn Miller)

New factsheets offer strategies for restoring urban waterways

Posted on 9 April, 2019 by Ivan

Landcare groups have worked hard to help restore and revegetate many of our urban waterways within the Shire of Mount Alexander of central Victoria. The Cooperative Research Centre for Water Sensitive Cities has just released a new product designed to walk practitioners through the nine components of repairing or designing a living stream site on a flowing urban waterway, and to support them in working out which actions to take.

The 13 factsheets about improving the ecological function of urban waterways cover nine different ecological components of flowing waterways: flow, geomorphology, riparian, connectivity (longitudinal, lateral, vertical), water quality (nutrients, physico-chemistry including toxicants) and biota. Most components have two factsheets—one for what to do at the site scale and the other for what to do at the catchment scale—so practitioners have more context and can work at both spatial scales.

How to restore the ecological function of urban waterways

For more information or to download the factsheets, please click here

Remember the Wild: Eucalypt of the Year 2019

Posted on 9 April, 2019 by Ivan

Remembering the Wild are asking the community to celebrate our unique range of Eucalyptus species by voting for your favorite species in the annual Eucalyptus of the Year 2019 Awards. Last year the top spot was awarded to the quintessential River Red Gum, with the Snow Gum (Eucalyptus pauciflora) and Ghost Gum (Corymbia aparrerinja) close contenders.

Whichever is your favourite, now is your chance to share it with the world! It’s only the second week of the Eucalypt of the Year campaign, and already the nominations are coming in thick and fast. If you want your favourite to win, you’re going to have to get involved, make your nomination and campaign for others to vote for your contender. Use the #EucalyptoftheYear hashtag on Instagram and Twitter, send votes in via Eucalypt Australia’s Facebook inbox, or enter via their online form here.

For more details on the award, and some excellent photos from last years awards, please click here.

You might recall that Remember the Wild were the producers of the excellent five minute video on Connecting Country, titled ‘Safeguarding Woodland Birds’. We were very impressed by the quality of this video, starring some of our staff, volunteers and committee members in some special places. Have a watch below if you are yet to view this video.

Innamincka bird surveys talk – 12 April 2019

Posted on 9 April, 2019 by Ivan

The guest speaker at the next Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club general meeting is Euan Moore, who will present a talk titled ‘Tracking Boom and Bust – Bird Surveys around Innamincka’.

Bourke’s Parrot, one of the special birds usually found (photo by Euan Moore)

Euan writes ‘Since 2011 members of the Friends of Innamincka Reserves have been conducting bird surveys on an almost annual basis in the Innamincka Regional Reserve. During that time we have seen the boom years following the floods from Cyclone Yasi to the intense drought of recent years as well as the impacts of grazing, mining, tourism and weed infestation. The deserts in this area are harsh but beautiful. Permanent waterholes along Cooper Ck provide a drought refuge for wildlife and in the years after flood the Coongie Lakes are magical.’

The presentation will be held in the Fellowship Room behind the Uniting Church on Lyttleton St, Castlemaine, VIC, commencing from 7.30 pm on Friday 12 April 2019.  Members and visitors are all welcome, and there is no cost for entry. It will no doubt be a special evening and a good chance to be entertained and educated by a local expert.

Cooper Creek near Innamincka during the boom that followed Cyclone Yasi (photo by Euan Moore)

You, me & biodiversity: revegetation talk with David Millsom

Posted on 4 April, 2019 by Jacqui

Wombat Forestcare is hosting an opportunity to learn about maximising revegetation success with David Millsom , an experienced revegetation practitioner.

When:    Saturday 27 April 2019 from 1.30 to 3.00 pm
Where:   Trentham Neighbourhood Centre, Cnr Market and High St, Trentham, Victoria
Cost:      Gold coin donation

For more information: contact info@wombatforestcare.org.au or see www.wombatforestcare.org.au

The talk will cover:

• Drivers for and development of large scale revegetation techniques.
• Site preparation for tubestock and direct seeding.
• Site selection.
• Species selection – what to plant and why.
• Provenance, origin of the term and what genetics are telling us.
• Seed treatments – overview of how to maximise germination, use of smoke, heat, cold and other methods.
• Research, development and application of live bacteria innoculant for native legumes.
• How to maximise chance of success in a drying and hotter climate.

Friends of Campbells Creek working bee: 7 April 2019

Posted on 4 April, 2019 by Ivan

With the cooler weather arriving, Friends of Campbells Creek Landcare are kicking off a working bee this weekend, aimed at establishing another viable population of Goldfields Grevillea (Grevillea dryophylla). Wattle Flat Forest (west of Barkers Creek) is the only place in Mount Alexander Shire with a natural population of Goldfields Grevillea.  This means it is vulnerable to wildfire and other threats.

Goldfields Grevillea (photo by Bonnie Humphreys)

For the last five years or so, Friends of Campbells Creek Landcare have been experimenting with re-establishing this plant at Campbells Creek, near Castlemaine, Victoria.  Not only have plants survived, they have set seed and recruited a second generation! This is great news.  By creating another larger population at Campbells Creek, they will increase the plant’s chance of surviving in the shire and improve habitat quality along the creek, as the flowers attract honeyeaters and other nectar-feeding animals.

Friends of Campbells Creek Landcare will be direct sowing the seeds of this interesting plant, plus some other wildflowers that are doing well in this area, including Leucochrysum albicans, Wahlenbergia multicaulis and Xerochrysum viscosum. Morning tea will be provided around midday.

Direct sowing of Goldfields Grevillea at Campbells Creek

When:      Sunday 7 April 2019 from 10.00 am to 12.00 noon, followed by morning tea

Meet at:   North end of Honeycomb Rd, Campbells Creek VIC (just past the last of the houses)      

Bring:       Wear sturdy clothing suitable for the weather on the day, hat and gloves
                  Bring your own water and if you can, a metal toothed rake or similar implement

Checking the health of our Key Biodiversity Areas: 12 April 2019

Posted on 2 April, 2019 by Ivan

BirdLife International has identified areas of conservation importance around the world as Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs). This includes KBAs right here in our region – the Bendigo Box Ironbark area. Our KBAs were designated especially for their importance for two special birds, Diamond Firetail and Swift Parrot, and cover both public and private land.

Our three KBAs in the Mount Alexander Shire (VIC) are:

• Clydesdale-Strangways.
• Sandon-Strathlea.
• Muckleford-Newstead.

Birdlife’s Easter health check takes an annual snapshot of the threat and conservation actions of the areas that matter most to birds. BirdLife compares results between KBAs across Australia and around the globe. The results are extremely valuable, especially for identifying species decline and targeting conservation work. For more information on the KBA and the Easter health check process click here.

BirdLife is looking for local people to complete a 2019 Easter health check for each KBA. To assist, Connecting Country is running a workshop on Friday 12 April 2019 in Newstead.  We’ve invited Greg Turner from BirdLife Victoria to take us through the process for our part of the Bendigo Box Ironbark area. Geoff Nevill from the Muckleford Forest Friends Group will also talk about his group’s work in the region.

This annual check is all about assessing habitat and its threats. Anyone with an interest in landscape restoration is most welcome to come along and get involved, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced birdwatcher.

Volunteers Eleanor and Jenny surveying the Muckleford KBA (photo by Connecting Country)

Please come along to this workshop to learn how you can participate in the Easter Health Check for our local KBAs:

• Learn about the KBA’s in the Mount Alexander Shire.
• Find out about KBA Easter Health Check – what it is and how to do it.
• Meet other people working with KBAs.

Where: Newstead Community Centre Mechanics Hall, 9 Lyons St, Newstead VIC

When: Friday 12 April 2019: 9.00 to 11.30 am

Bookings: Please click here

This is a free event, with morning tea and refreshments provided.

If you have any questions, please contact Ivan Carter at Connecting Country on (03) 5472 1594 or ivan@connectingcountry.org.au.

This event is supported by funding from the Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning.

April bird walks – Birdlife Castlemaine District

Posted on 2 April, 2019 by Asha

Birdlife Castlemaine District have two great walks coming up in April 2019:

Saturday 6 April – Coliban Main Channel, Tyquins Road, Taradale

This walk follows the Coliban water channel. With a reliable water supply, plenty of edge habitat and open forest, this track often produces good lists of birds. It is a flat walk mostly, as it follows the contour alongside the water channel. Access is via a stile over the fence. The walk will be led by Damian Kelly, local bird expert, photographer and author of Castlemaine Bird Walks: A guide to walks and birds in the Castlemaine District.

Location and directions: Coliban Main Channel, Tyquins Road. From Taradale take the Old Calder Highway towards Malmsbury. About 1.9km from Taradale turn right into Conlans Road and follow this about 700m to a T-intersection. Turn left here, which is the continuation of Conlans Road, for about 1.2km until you reach Tyquins Road. Turn left into Tyquins Road and continue for about 1.6km until you reach Channel Track on your right. The old Tyquins Cottage is situated here. You can park here or go up the rough track another 150m and park near the gate.

Time: Meet at Tyquins Cottage at 9:00am, or to carpool from Castlemaine meet at 8:30am outside Castlemaine Community House (formerly Continuing Ed), Templeton Street.

Sunday 14 April – Bald Hill Reserve, Kyneton (rescheduled from March)

This is a very special bird walk at Bald Hill Reserve, Kyneton, jointly led by Friends of Bald Hill Reserve and BirdLife Castlemaine District. The Reserve is a very beautiful and special place, with 3 distinct habitat types. The Friends group has achieved so much in helping the public appreciate its significance and, with Carolyn Robb from the Friends group bringing her incredible local knowledge, this is a walk not to be missed. To discover more about Bald Hill Reserve click here.

Location and directions: Bald Hill Reserve, Mount St Mary’s Lane, Kyneton. Approach Mount St Mary’s Lane from the south, off Pipers Creek Street – the Reserve is well signposted on your left.

Time: Meet at Bald Hill Reserve at 9:00am, or to carpool from Castlemaine meet at 8:15am outside Castlemaine Community House (formerly Continuing Ed), Templeton Street.

Important information about walks: Bring water, snacks, binoculars, hat, sunscreen, sturdy shoes, long pants during snake season, and other weather-appropriate gear.

Walks will be cancelled if the temperature is forecast to be 35 degrees or more during the walk period, severe weather warnings are forecast, and/or if the day has been declared a Total Fire Ban.

Questions? If you have questions about the bird walks program, you can email castlemaine@birdlife.org.au, or call Judy Hopley (0425 768 559) or Asha Bannon (0418 428 721).

The adorable Jacky Winter. Source: Peter Turner

A recent visit from a pie eater

Posted on 28 March, 2019 by Ivan

We received an exciting and amusing email this week from Saide and Gary, regarding a pie-eating guest she had visiting her home. Below is a copy of the email and some great photos. Thanks, Saide!

We found this tail …. And waited

Next there was a body attached to the tail

Bottoms Up!

Is it a possum, very determined to get into that nook?

Then it fully appeared. The creature spent some time exploring the scientific data sheets then, finding a cosy nook, among the papers, tuan curled up and went to sleep, but only after eating a morsel of warmed meat pie.

I swear the dear creature whispered ‘thank-you’, before nodding off for the rest of the day.

By 6pm tuan was off into the world of Connecting Country’s nestboxes, eucalyptus and wildflowers to be, in the Heathy Dry Forest ridgetop adjacent to this house!

The Dead Tree Detective- Scientists need your help spotting dead trees

Posted on 28 March, 2019 by Ivan

A collective of concerned scientists have launched a new citizen science project, The Dead Tree Detective, which aims to record where and when trees have died in Australia. Unfortunately, the current drought across many regions of Australia has been so severe that some native trees have died or are under severe stress. It is important to document these occurrences, which will assist  scientists in understanding and predicting how native forests and woodlands are vulnerable to climate extremes.

This project will allow people Australia-wide to report observations of tree death. In the past, there have been many occurrences of large-scale tree death that were initially identified by concerned members of the public such as farmers, bushwalkers, bird watchers or landholders. Collecting these observations is an important way to monitor the health of trees and ecosystems.

Climate extremes have pushed some of our local iconic native trees to their limits of survival, so it is essential to document which species are surviving better than others under these conditions. This project allows you to upload photos of your trees and answer a few questions to help identify the possible causes. You will find some information about each of these causes in the ‘Resources’ section. You can even revisit the locations in following months to document whether trees recover or not. To see what other records there are in your area, go to the ‘Data’ section. See the ‘Blog’ for details of any new major tree death events that we have become aware of.

Please click here to upload photos regarding this project and to read the full project description, which is hosted on the Atlas of Living Australia.

Red Box at St Brigid’s Catholic Church Maldon photo by Bev Phillips of Maldon Urban Landcare Group)

Managing foxes in urban and semi-urban areas

Posted on 28 March, 2019 by Ivan

Connecting Country often hears concerns from landholders and other community members about the impacts of local fox populations. Here is some information about foxes in urban and semi-urban areas, and some tips about what you can do to help keep fox numbers under control and reduce their impacts on native wildlife and livestock.

Foxes are one of Australia’s most serious pest animals and are often seen in townships and semi-urban areas, where their food sources are easy to come by. Foxes are known to prey on native animals and livestock, and are a huge threat to many of our threatened birds, mammals, and other wildlife. They have also been estimated to have an annual economic impact of over $227 million dollars across Australia.

It may be hard to imagine, but fox densities are higher in urban and semi-urban areas than rural areas, with highest densities in Victoria existing in Port Melbourne! There are a limited number of control and deterrent methods available to landowners in urban areas, where poisoning and shooting are not an option.

Effective fox management uses a combination of the available control measures that are feasible on your property. These may include a combination of the following control methods:

• Harbour removal: Foxes often make dens under metal piles or blackberry and gorse bushes. Fallen timber can act as harbour, but it is also important habitat for lots of native wildlife, so be careful if you decide to move it.
• Den fumigation and ripping: This involves fumigating the den and then using machinery or tools to destroy the den complex (by a qualified contractor).
• Property hygiene: Ensuring food scraps, animal carcasses and pet food are secure will avoid attracting foxes.
• Exclusion fencing: Large and secure fencing to prevent foxes from entering your property.
• Guardian animals: Some producers have successfully used trained guard dogs (e.g., Anatolian shepherds, Maremma sheep dogs) to protect their flocks from fox predation. The presence of domestic dogs may discourage foxes from visiting suburban back yards.

Foxes can often be seen during the middle of the day in urban areas hunting for food (Photo source: Agriculture Victoria)

Unfortunately, fox populations are very resilient to conventional methods of control and can quickly breed up to infest areas where they have been removed. One issue with controlling or deterring foxes on smaller properties is that foxes are highly mobile and can travel up to 10 km per night. Another important point to remember is that rabbits form a major part of fox diets, therefore controlling rabbits on your property may also help to reduce the number of foxes in the area.

For more information on invasive animals, please visit the Agriculture Victoria Website by clicking here.

A fox caught on a motion sensor camera next to its den (photo source: Agriculture Victoria)