Borders

With the ongoing uncertainty on when face-to-face indoor meetings will be able to resume, due to Covid-19, SOC branches will continue with virtual meetings, via Zoom, until the end of 2021 when the situation will be reviewed. This is in order to ensure the safety of our members and speakers, and to allow us to plan an online programme of talks that we can be confident of delivering, regardless of where things might stand in relation to the pandemic.

An invitation with a link to the Zoom meeting will be sent out to the branch's members a few days before the event via email. To receive this notice, please ensure that you are on the appropriate mailing list held by HQ. If you are unsure, you can check your mailing list preferences by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or if you know you do not receive branch notices but would like to, you can sign up here (please note these will only be sent to SOC members).

For instructions on how to use Zoom, please click here.

Borders branch talks are normally held on Mondays, but while Covid-19 restrictions remain, the branch will hold its virtual meetings in conjunction with Dumfries and Stewartry branches.  The joint sessions will be hosted and managed by Dumfries and will be held on Thursdays.

When:

The following Thursdays at 7.30pm:

Thu 09 Sep          Ian Bainbridge – Moult in birds: What, why, how and when
Thu 14 Oct          Rick Goater – Charmed by birds: A life enhanced
Thu 11 Nov          Alasdair Lemon – Corn Buntings
Thu 09 Dec          Ben Darvill and Scott Mayson – BirdTrack and bird recording

Contact:

Neil Stratton 01573 450695 or send Neil an This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Venue:

Once indoor meetings resume, they will be held at The Townhouse Hotel, Melrose, TD6 9PQ (click here for a map and directions), though this may change for the 2021/22 season.

No outings are currently planned, due to Covid-19 restrictions.  Updates will be provided here in due course.

Contact:

Neil Stratton 01573 450695 or send Neil an This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Secretary and representative of branch on SOC Council :

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Heiton Mains, Heiton, Kelson, TD5 8JR

Chair:

Martin Moncrieff

Treasurer:

Richard Jackson

Bird Report distribution:

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Co-opted member of the Exectuive Committee:

David Parkinson

Editor of Borders Bird Report:

Tom Brewis

Other Committe member:

Harry Urquhart

Borders recorders:

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Talks and outings reminders:

Members who've consented to Local Branch news and events e-communications from SOC, are sent a reminder about forthcoming talks (with more information on the speaker and subject where possible), usually a week or so in advance of the meeting. A similar reminder service operates for outings. If you don’t already receive these alerts and would like to, please make sure you've completed a Mailing List Consent Form to allow the Club to contact you. If you've already completed a form, check your junk/spam/clutter folders to make sure our emails aren't landing there. Still nothing? Contact Headquarters as we may not have a correct or up to date email address on file for you.

AGM minutes, Chairman's Report and Annual Accounts

Please click on the links below:

2021 AGM minutes

Chairman's Report April 2021

Financial Statement 2020-21

Forums/News Group:

If you would like to join the SOC Borders Branch News Group (Borders Birds) then please email the group owner, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The group has been primarily set up for members to post interesting sightings of birds in the Scottish Borders area and find out "what's about".  

Discussion Group:

Borders Discussion Group meets from September to March on a Monday evening (usually the Monday after the branch meeting) in Melrose. The meetings are usually announced on the Borders Bird News Forum and are open to anyone wishing to attend.

Birdwatching in the area

Click here for a guide of recommended sites to visit in the Borders and to download the branches’ free, full-colour birdwatching guide to the area.

Click here for our guide to Birdwatching on the Berwickshire coast

Bird recording in the area

Visit the Borders recording area page for details of the latest bird report, back issues, species considered locally and for Local Recorder contact information.

South-East Scotland Bird Atlas

Find out more here.