BirdLife Castlemaine District was formed in 2018. Our members are enthusiastic about the region’s superb birding and its many thriving and unique native habitats. It’s no wonder that there’s a long history of bird surveys to monitor the region’s Box-Ironbark woodlands! The area boasts several Key Biodiversity Areas and many birding hot spots such as Rise and Shine Reserve, located between Daylesford and Newstead.
We also work closely with other local environmental organisations, such as Connecting Country and Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club, focusing on ongoing bird surveys and specialist bird talks. Our Nature Journalling sessions provide an opportunity for participants to record their observations in a variety of ways including drawing, painting and writing.
Birdlife Castlemaine District 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.
We hold monthly bird walks on the first Saturday morning of each month. All ages and birding abilities are welcome (we’re a friendly bunch). If you’d like to learn how to record your bird lists using Birdata, or brush up on your survey skills, we aim to conduct at least one survey each bird walk.
On the first Sunday of each month, we also hold a Nature Journaling session for anyone who’s interested. These sessions run for about two hours. Please bring any materials you need for journaling, such as paints, drawing paper, notebook.