Reports Archive


2019

 

Session 10: Tuesday 10th December

Warburton Bridge The final bird watching outing for 2019 was to one of most reliable birding sites in our area. The popular campsite along the Loddon River is surrounded by trees, with cleared paddocks across the road – an excellent mix of habitats for a range of species. Many birds were seen near the parking spot by the river. A total of 32 species was the highest total for the year! An extended morning tea completed an excellent outing. We were away in smoky Sydney that day – our thanks to Ron and Cheryl for leading the session, and to Lou for the photos. We look forward to welcoming you back for another good year for U3A bird watchers in 2020.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Session 9: Tuesday 12th November

Coliban Channel – Mt Barker This was a new bird walk for our group, described on p66 of Damian Kelly’s “Castlemaine Bird Walks”, and it was a great choice, especially since we were somewhat protected from the cold SW wind by Mt Barker high above the channel. The walk along the channel is lined on both sides by splendid eucalypts and some thick wattles, with fine views to the east across paddocks. There were many Yellow-faced Honeyeaters, flying rapidly and calling loudly but rarely perching in sight. Rufous Whistlers were heard all morning; eventually two settled in a tree where we could all get a clear view. Other highlights were Grey Shrike-thrushes, a male Mistletoe Bird, and a group of Brown-headed Honeyeaters.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Session 8: Tuesday 8th October

Newstead Cemetery Another cold morning, and a chilling wind was blowing across the cemetery as we started our walk, hoping to see Rainbow Bee-eaters along the creek – no luck. Persistent calls from the trees on the hill above led us to an amazing sight – hundreds of Woodswallows flying in a swirling group, high in the sky, with others feeding on blossom in the eucalypts or perching for a rest on the branches of a dead tree - an enthralling experience. Other highlights were a Wedge-tailed Eagle, two Black-faced Cuckoo-shrikes and a Brown Songlark. But it was too cold, so we left the cemetery early; most of us enjoyed an early morning tea at Rotunda Park before heading home. Three of us diverted to Muckleford Station to check on the Striated Pardalotes, which were present as usual, and were rewarded by another flock of Woodswallows.

 
 
 
 
click each Woodswallows picture to see full size
 
 
 
 
 
 
click each Pardalotes picture to see full size
 

 

Session 7: Tuesday 10th September

Railway Dam On a cold morning, 23 members enjoyed a successful morning at this favourite birding site. A Little Eagle soared above as the last cars arrived. The dam itself had just 5 Wood Duck, although a Little Pied Cormorant flew over. A good list of 26 species sighted over an hour and a half, including both local Cuckoo-Shrikes, Olive-Backed Oriole, Bronze-cuckoos and Pallid Cuckoos calling, Varied Sittellas and Dusky Woodswallows tending a nest site. The highlight was a group of 3 Shining Bronze Cuckoos calling rapidly and flying around each other amongst the branches – two males courting a female? The bird list as recorded on Birdata can be viewed at http://birdata.birdlife.org.au/survey?id=2981808&h=7cadb838. Thanks to Helle and Mikael Hirsch for hosting a relaxed and comfortable morning tea at their nearby property.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Session 6: Tuesday 9th July

Quince Trees – Muckleford Nature Reserve As we set off from the Octopus, a fine mist started. Not promising for birding – but it stopped as we arrived at the Quince Trees site in the Muckleford Nature Reserve, off Pullans Rd. There were many small birds, high in the trees, hard to identify against a grey sky. And lots of unmistakable calls – Fuscous Honeyeaters, Grey Shrike Thrush, Red Wattlebird. Wandering carefully between the old mining shafts, over bright green moss and grass, we checked out the paddock where Magpies were calling. Back along the track, more birds seen and heard – and then the fine rain returned, so we returned to town early, some for a cuppa at Rosemary and Peter’s home. No photos this time! The total of 18 species was very pleasing given the conditions – the Quince Trees is a good birding site.

 
     

 

Session 5: Tuesday 11th June

Newstead Rotunda Park area Our June outing, on a fine sunny morning, was based on Damian Kelly’s Newstead – Rotunda Park walk (Castlemaine Bird Walks, pp 168-171). Nineteen of us set off through the tall eucalypts edging the park, almost deafened by the calls of Sulphur Crested Cockatoos, Galahs and Red Wattlebirds. We wandered up tree-lined MacLaren Street, then slowly back with the sun behind us, for good views of White-naped, Yellow-faced and New Holland Honeyeaters, Weebills emulating hummingbirds, and brilliant Spotted Pardalotes. Back at the junction with Cameron St, we turned west up the track, enjoying a group of Crimson Rosellas busily feasting on gum blossom. A satisfying morning – but no wrens, robins, White-browed Babblers or Grey Fantails – the number of insectivorous birds seem to be lower this year than in recent years.

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
     
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Session 4: Tuesday 14th May

Along the Rail Trail from Muckleford Station Eighteen of us arrived at Muckleford Station on a good morning for a bird walk - and were immediately waylaid by Striated Pardalotes around the building, carriages and rails, and also high in the River Red Gums along the (empty) creek.
As we headed north into open country, we saw several Flame Robins, Australasian Pippets, Yellow-rumped Thornbills, Superb Blue Wrens and - BIRD OF THE DAY -a Diamond Firetail. A large group of brilliantly coloured small parrots – “red rumps” – appeared to be grazing on the farm paddocks, and we were delighted to spot three Southern Whitefaces (drab little birds similar to Thornbills) in the pines along the boardwalk section of the path.
There were fewer birds as we headed over the dry Muckleford Creek. At the dam where we turned back, Welcome Swallows were hawking for insects, and a Willie Wagtail was seen. I was disappointed that we saw no Jacky Winters, but two played on the fence along the Walmer Road as we drove off!           (RT)

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
     
 
 
 

 
 

 
     
 

Session 3: Tuesday 9th April

The Red White & Blue Mine site in the Muckleford State Forest is a well-known birding place, with water in two dams that were part of the mining infrastructure long ago. Twentytwo of us set off on a very cool morning, stopping first by the large farm dam where Bells Lane and Talbot Tracks start, at the end of Muckleford School Rd. Here we had good views of a group of Australasian Grebe, a Little Pied Cormorant, a White-faced Heron and other water birds. Moving on to the picnic area at the mine site, another White-faced Heron surveyed us calmly from a high branch, moving to a perch above the larger dam when we came too close. A few honeyeaters called, but were hard to see until we were nearly ready for morning tea – when the sun emerged along with Scarlet Robin and a stunning Golden Whistler – a new bird for several of us.

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
     
 
 
 

 
 

 
     
 

Session 2: Tuesday 12th March

Even during such dry conditions, Vaughan Springs is a reliable birding site. The Loddon River was not running, but plenty of water in the pools. On our arrival, the many resident Superb Fairy-wrens welcomed us - looking like mice running around on the bare ground. Most of us walked up the hill to head a short way along the Goldfields Track heading north, where a Swamp Wallaby watched us warily; then back along the hillside path to the Big Slide (checked out by several young-at-heart U3Aers). We joined up with the others, who had been honing their skills with binoculars with help from Rosemary and the wrens. Wandering back towards the cars and morning tea, we were rewarded with splendid views of a White-faced Heron, watching us quietly from a tree above the river. No signs of the Wedge-tailed Eagles we saw here last year, but 27 species observed, with excellent views of a Brown Treecreeper, and 25 or more Red-browed Finches.

 
 
 
     
 
 
     
 
 
 
click each heron picture to see full size
 
     
 
 
   
 

 
 

Session 1: Tuesday 12th February

On a cool morning with showers threatening we drove to the top of Honeycomb Rd, Campbells Creek – 26 of us, so we split into two groups, Rosemary leading one down the track to creek, while Peter’s group sought birds in the Honeycomb Nature Reserve. While it all seemed rather quiet at first, we gradually heard and/or sighted 27 species over 2 hours. The groups crossed over at the Friends notice board on the Campbells Creek track, where the only heavy shower stopped the bird watching briefly. Afterwards we drove to the park opposite the hardware store for morning tea and the bird call. A good start to this year’s U3A bird watching.

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
     
 
 
     

2018

 

Session 8: Tuesday 11th December

Warburton Bridge reserve, a favourite birding spot, proved a good choice for our final session for 2018. A At this time of the year the birds are up early, so we had agreed at our November gathering to start at 8 am in December. We did not have to move more than a few metres from the cars to hear and see a dozen different species in the trees along the Lodden River, which had a gentle flow after the recent rain. We moved slowly along the edge of the river, before climbing up to the ridge above the camp ground, from which three Wedge-tailed Eagles were seen. The bird of the day was the Olive-backed Oriole – a total of 10 seen during our 2 hour session. However, none of the thornbills, pardalotes and other small species were observed. Our final morning tea was suitably festive, with Christmas cake, truffles, shortbread, fruit and other goodies to mark the end of another year of enjoyable bird watching. The group decided that, following the success today’s early start, next year we will start at 8 am in February, March, November and December.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Session 7: Tuesday 13th November

Three sites in and around Newstead were visited, starting along tree-lined Plunket Rd, with well wooded land along the north side and grassed fields on the south. Sixteen species were identified – including many Brown Treecreepers, two Olive-backed Orioles, and a Pallid Cuckoo calling but not seen. We noticed two Treecreepers repeatedly visiting a small hollow in the fork of an ironbark. Back towards the Newstead Cemetery, a small flock of Masked and White-browed Woodswallows and two Masked Lapwings demanded attention before we entered the cemetery, where two Rufous Whistlers we singing enthusiastically from within a dense wattle – at least one a juvenile – and a Brown Songlark appeared briefly. No signs of Rainbow Bee-eaters or Pardalotes nesting in the creek bank, but two Bee-eaters were seen at the corner of Cemetery and Plunket roads by Wilfrid and Nicola Savage before most of us arrived. On the grassy, wooded hill above the main part of the cemetery a Restless Flycatcher was heard, and another tree hollow was being visited by Brown Treecreepers. The field guides tell us that they make a nest within a tree hollow.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Session 6: Tuesday 9th October

Our walk on a cool grey day, with showers threatening, started at the Fryerstown Community Centre. A smaller group than usual was rewarded by seeing and/or hearing 31 species. It was not a day suited to photography so we do not have any pictures to go with this report. There were birds in the trees around the Community Centre car park as we started our walk along Market St towards the Cemetery. Diverging via Saunders and Sheldon tracks we entered the eastern end of the cemetery, where we saw both White-throated and Brown Treecreepers. Having heard but not seen Horsfield’s Bronze-Cuckoo, Pallid and Fan-tailed Cuckoos for much of the walk. A highlight was a clear view of a Fan-tailed Cuckoo fanning its tail as it called from a tree near the cemetery gate – a rare sight. Yellow-tufted, Fuscous, White-plumed, New Holland and White-naped Honeyeaters were active high in the trees. Other highlights were Masked and Dusky Woodswallows and a Jacky Winter.
 

 
Session 5: Tuesday 11th September

Thanks to Lou Citroen for contributing most of this report

Our September bird watching was to Muckleford Nature Conservation Reserve, off Pullans Rd, well known to birders as the Quince Trees. Several old quince trees near the parking area have been used by White-browed Babblers for their communal nest sites. With 24 U3A members and two visitors from Tasmania, we split up into two groups; one with Peter and Rosemary Turner and this reporter joining Ron Wescott and Cheryl Taylor’s group.

Whilst a fair list of 24-odd species was collectively compiled, the slight breeze made sightings a little difficult as some birds appeared to be swallowed up in the high, swaying foliage: both species of pardalote were heard, but not seen, and the characteristic chuckling calls of Fuscous Honeyeaters were from many more birds than we saw.

Of the other species spotted, highlights included Yellow-tufted Honeyeaters, White-browed Babblers near a dried-out Back Creek, Grey Shrike-thrush, both Pallid and Fan-tailed Cuckoos and an Eastern Yellow Robin nest with nestlings asleep. On a brief ‘reconnaissance’ mission to the site the day before, I heard the Olive-backed Oriole … not heard or sighted on the day.

The camaraderie, friendship and sharing of knowledge always makes these outings especially enjoyable, culminating in the customary ‘bird call’ over a cuppa to consolidate our survey sightings. It concluded a delightful hour-and-a-half or so of birding, whereupon the feathered creatures of The Quince Trees were once again left to their own devices.
 
 
 
 
 

 
Session 4 rescheduled: Tuesday 10th July 2018
Eleven members enjoyed a sunny, if cool, walk towards Maldon from Muckleford Station, following the Castlemaine-Maldon trail (see “Castlemaine Bird Walks” p112).
On arrival at the station, we were serenaded by a Grey Shrike-thrush, and entertained by many wrens, and a few pardalotes – see Ruth’s photo.

The trail passes paddocks, where scores of Red-rumped Parrots were feeding, before reaching the tree-lined Muckleford Creek, with the impressive trestle bridge for the rail line. Brown Treecreepers were feeding on the ground, and Jacky Winters posed on fences.

A very skittish Grey Fantail fluttered about in a wattle. On our return, a single male Flame Robin brought the total species count to 27, but declined to be photographed.
An excellent morning after the disappointment in June.
 
 
 
 
 

 
Session 4: Tuesday 12th June 2018 - Cancelled!
We had planned to walk towards Maldon from Muckleford Station, following the Castlemaine-Maldon trail (see “Castlemaine Bird Walks” p112). However, the cold, windy and wet weather forecast for the day was not compatible with watching birds, so for the first time we had to cancel one of our monthly outings.

When checking out the walk on a sunny day a week before, many of the expected birds were seen, including lots of spectacular Flame Robins like the one below.

We hope to try again for this bird walk on July 10th, weather permitting, despite not having scheduled a session of July in the program. There will not be a U3A bird watching outing in August.
 
 
 
     

 
Session 3: Tuesday 8th May 2018
Castlemaine Botanical Gardens 30 members enjoyed an autumnal wander in the Botanical Gardens. We divided into two groups moving in opposite directions, and gathered together again for morning refreshments and for the bird call. The total number of species was 34, including the Powerful Owl, high in its usual Stone Pine, and a Nankeen Night Heron in a large willow by Lake Johanna. Also pleasing was the Willie Wagtail – now not often seen in Castlemaine. The two groups did not see all of the same species – a group of small bush birds along the creek had gone by the time the second group looked, presumably because three Pied Currawong had moved in!
 
 
 
     
 
 
     
 
 
     

 

Session 2: April 10 2018
Twenty six of us gathered at Vaughan Cemetery, which was very dry. There were few birds, with both species of Treecreeper and the Grey Butcherbird the standouts. We moved on to Vaughan Springs. Some of us climbed up the path to the Goldfields Track heading north, with views of two Wedge-tailed Eagles perched on a distant dead tree, a Mistletoe bird, and a group of Dusky Wood swallows the highlights. The other group kept to level ground, where some saw a Shining Bronze-cuckoo. We all had close views of wrens while having morning tea. White-browed Scrub Wrens and Superb Fairy-wrens came seeking crumbs, so we could learn to distinguish the male “blue wrens” in eclipse (non-breeding) plumage with their blue tails from the females.

 


 

Session 1: March 13 2018
We chose Harcourt Reservoir for our first outing because birds need water and many of our favourite sites are dry, with few birds. The area offers both woodland along the eastern side of the reservoir, and extensive water for birds that like to forage along the shoreline or dive for food in the shallows. Twenty seven members enjoyed a most successful morning – 41 species identified, including two Whistling Kites feeding on a Redfin along the shoreline.