archive
Fund-raising for Fair Isle Observatory
There will be a fund-raising evening for the Fair Isle Bird Observatory on Sunday 30th November, at the Ythan Hotel, Newburgh, Aberdeenshire. The event will include a quiz, raffle, talks, and an auction - to which the SOC has donated a copy of The Birds of Scotland. Bids can be accepted by email if you are unable to attend the event.
event details (PDF file)
(added 24 Nov 2008)
Really Wild Flowers art exhibition
Now on at Waterston House: an exhibition of Scottish wild flower paintings by Kirsty Lorenz and Jenny Matthews.
"Really Wild Flowers" runs until Wednesday 26th November. The gallery is open 7 days a week from 10am - 4pm, and entry is free.
Click on the image to see the exhibition poster.
(updated 26 Oct 2008)
Aberlady Goose Watch: extra date
Our 16th October Goose Watch has sold out, but due to popular demand we've added an extra event on Tuesday 21st October. Learn about geese from a local expert, and enjoy the spectacle of thousands of birds flying in to roost on the reserve. Meet at Waterston House at 4.30pm, and bring warm clothing. Hot drinks will be available.
The event costs £4 (£3 for SOC members and children), and advance booking by phone or email is essential.
(added 6 Oct 2008)
New BBC Series: To The Ends Of The Earth
The BBC is looking for nine nature-lovers to take part in the filming of a new TV series. Those selected will be "given the opportunity to spend 10 weeks in some of the most remote corners of the world, as they face a number of training challenges with a view to winning a year's contract with the world famous BBC Natural History Unit". If you think you might be interested, click here for information on how to apply (PDF file).
(added 1 Oct 2008)
Highland Bird News
The latest issue of Highland Branch's newsletter can now be downloaded from their web page.
(added 13 Sep 2008)
Optics Demonstration Day at Waterston House
The focus will be on binoculars, telescopes, and tripods at Waterston House on Sunday 12th October. Drop in between 10am and 4pm to check out a wide variety of makes and models in field conditions. Staff from Viking Optical Ltd will be on hand to give free expert advice.
(added 11 Sep 2008)
Aberlady Goose Watch
This year's Goose Watch takes place on Thursday 16th October. Learn about geese from a local expert, and enjoy the spectacle of thousands of birds flying in to roost on the reserve. Meet at Waterston House at 4.30pm, and bring warm clothing. Hot drinks will be available.
The event costs £4 (£3 for SOC members and children), and advance booking by phone or email is essential.
(added 11 Sep 2008)
Scottish Ringers' Conference
The 34th Scottish Ringers' Conference takes place from 14th-16th November at the Fife Arms Hotel, Braemar.
Click here for a conference programme and booking form. (PDF file)
(added 4 Sep 2008)
News archive page
Old news items, announcements etc can now be viewed on the archive page. Click the link on the left.
(added 14 Aug 2008)
Arrival of summer migrants
Birdline Scotland's migrant tables, covering 2004-08, are now available via the Surveys page.
(added 14 Aug 2008)
New Dumfries and Galloway Bird Report
The 18th Dumfries and Galloway Bird Report, covering 2006, is now available. Copies can be obtained from
- Waterston House, Aberlady
- Tourist offices in D & G
- WWT Caerlaverock
- RSPB Mersehead
- by post from Duncan Irving, 12 Great Eastern Drive, Glencaple, Dumfriesshire, DG1 4QZ
The report costs £7, which includes p&p. Please make cheques payable to "SOC Dumfries & Galloway Branches".
(added 12 Aug)
Seawatch Course in North Berwick
On Sunday 31st August, SOC President Chris Waltho will lead a one-day Seawatching course at the Scottish Seabird Centre in North Berwick. The course will focus on ID skills and a range of observation and recording techniques. The cost is £12, which includes lunch and refreshments. Booking is essential - phone 01620 890202.
(added 7 Aug 2008)
North Ronaldsay Bird Observatory Website
The observatory website at www.nrbo.co.uk has been updated, and now includes a sightings 'blog' at northronbirdobs.blogspot.com.
(added 31 Jul 2008)
Derek Robertson Art Exhibition
"Art and observation" is a new exhibition of paintings by Derek Robertson, on show at Waterston House from Saturday 16th August until Wednesday 23rd October.
Entry is free, and the gallery is open daily, from 10am - 4pm on weekdays and 12 noon - 6pm on weekends. Click on the image to see the exhibition poster.
(added 29 Jul 2008)
Osprey Cam at Loch of the Lowes
The young Osprey at Loch of the Lowes has been spending more time away from the nest recently, so there's only a short time left to see it on the SWT 'Osprey Cam'. Go to the SWT website and click on the Osprey image to view live pictures.
(added 16 Jul 2008)
SE Scotland Bird Atlas - new website
Last year Lothian and Borders regions joined forces to begin running a local Bird Atlas project in parallel with the national 2007-11 Bird Atlas.
The South-East Scotland atlas team have created a new website at www.the-soc.org.uk/se-atlas. The site contains a wealth of information on the project and the birds of the region, including:
- how to take part in the survey
- details of the area covered
- preliminary species maps for the survey period
- species maps based on records submitted for the Lothian and Borders Bird Reports 1991-2006
- species maps from the 1988-94 local breeding atlas.
(added 5 Jul 2008)
The Birds of Scotland - latest news
After only six months, sales of The Birds of Scotland have reached 72% of the total print run. Get your copy now to avoid disappointment! For all the latest Birds of Scotland news, including another award and a glowing review from BirdGuides, see the book website at www.birdsofscotland.org.uk.
(added 1 Jul 2008)
'The Birds of Scotland' Art Exhibition
From Saturday 5th July, Waterston House plays host to an exhibition of original artwork by John Busby and Tommy Daniels from 'The Birds of Scotland', the SOC's award-winning publication.
The exhibition runs until Wednesday 13th August, and is open daily from 10am - 4pm on weekdays, and 12 noon - 6pm on weekends. Click on the image on the right to see the exhibition poster. The Birds of Scotland website is at www.birdsofscotland.org.uk.
(added 19 Jun 2008)
White-tailed Eagles in East Scotland
The RSPB has produced a leaflet on the scheme to re-introduce White-tailed (Sea) Eagles to the East of Scotland. Click the image on the left to download a copy as a PDF file.
They would like to hear from you if you're lucky enough to spot a White-tailed Eagle anywhere in Scotland. Click here to download a PDF form for recording and reporting your sightings.
(added 29 Apr 2008)
New Borders Bird Report
The new Borders Bird Report, covering 2006, is now on sale.
Copies can be obtained from
- Waterston House, Aberlady
- Viking Optical Centre, 101 Rose Street, Edinburgh
- Malcolm Ross, Westfield, Smailholm, Kelso
- Harestanes Visitors Centre, near Jedburgh
The report costs £8.35 including p&p; please make cheques payable to Borders SOC.
(added 8 April 2008)
Osprey Cam at Loch of the Lowes
The Scottish Wildlife Trust has installed a new High Definition camera to broadcast live pictures from an Osprey nest at their Loch of the Lowes reserve near Dunkeld.
The 1080-line camera - possibly the first of its kind to be installed by any wildlife organisation in the world - is active between 9am and 8pm. Outside these times lower resolution cameras are used, with infrared images provided during the night. The pictures are on show on a large screen in the reserve visitor centre, and can also be viewed online: from the SWT website click on the live images link, then on the Osprey 'Cam1' thumbnail image.
(Apple Mac users may have to download a copy of Flip4Mac to view the (WMV) images; if you have any problems Bill Gardner may be able to assist.)
(added 7 Apr 2008)