Fife

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.

Fife branch talks are normally held on Wednesdays, but while Covid-19 restrictions remain, the branch will hold virtual meetings in conjunction with Tayside branch.   Meetings will alternate between Wednesdays and Thursdays until indoor sessions resume.   The meetings will start at 7.00pm for participants to log in, a meet and greet and What’s About Chat, and the talks will start at 7.30pm.

When:

The following days from 7.00pm:

Wed 08 Sep         Presentations from St Andrews University PhD students on their research projects
Thu 07 Oct          Rick Taylor – South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project
Wed 10 Nov        Nina O’Hanlon – Birds and debris
Thu 02 Dec          Members’ Night

Contact:

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 01592 750230

Venue:

Once indoor meetings resume, they will be held at the Supper Room of St Andrews Town Hall (at the corner of South Street & Queen’s Gardens), KY16 9TA (click here for a map of the venue and surrounding area).

It is hoped to resume outings in the not-too-distant future. For guidance on how branches will manage outings in relation to Covid-19, please click here.

Field trips normally take place on the weekend following each indoor meeting. The normal pattern is to alternate between Saturday and Sunday outings, and between half-day and full day trips, to cater for members’ differing preferences and other commitments. Outings continue during May and June, when there are no indoor meetings, and there is usually a long weekend trip around the end of May. Beginner and experienced birdwatchers are welcome both at indoor meetings and on field trips.

Details:

Dates and locations will be announced here in due course. 

Contact:

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 01592 750230, or contact the leader.

Secretary:

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., tel: 01592 750230

Chair and representative of branch on SOC Council::

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Treasurer:

John Irwin

Committee members:

Rob Armstrong, Andy Falconer, David Heeley and Andrew Riches

Fife recorder:

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

Isle of May recorder:

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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.

Branch newsletter:

Fife Branch Newsletter comes out every three months and features details of branch activities, field trip reports, letters, photographs, sightings and other interesting articles. Subscribers are emailed a PDF version of the newsletter and the latest issue of the publication is also available to download here (March 2021 issue). Back issues of the newsletter can be downloaded here.  To either contribute or subscribe and receive Fife Branch Newsletter directly to your inbox, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Minutes from the 2020 Fife Branch AGM

Click here to download a copy of the minutes from the 2020 Fife Branch AGM.

Birdwatching in Fife

Click here for our guide to Birdwatching in Fife and here for our guide to Birdwatching the Fife coast.

Planning a trip to the Isle of May? Read our guide to Birding the Isle of May here

Bird recording in this area

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

The Breeding and Wintering Birds of Fife

Norman Elkins, Jim Reid and Allan W. Brown

Published by the Fife Ornithological Atlas Group and the SOC, in August 2016.

This large format, hardback book brings up to date an earlier publication published in 2003, the Fife Bird Atlas.  Click here to find out more and for details of how to purchase a copy.