Moray

We hope that the branch provides an opportunity for those who share a common interest in birds to meet for regular social occasions. At our indoor meetings we usually have a speaker and the emphasis is on local birds and birding – with plenty of time to get to know those whose names we may recognise but faces we do not!

In addition to evening meetings between autumn and spring, we have regular outings through the year, and offer the opportunity for club members to get involved in some surveys of our local birds.  All are welcome to attend these activities, including non-members of the Club. If you are not yet an SOC member and are interested in finding out more information about joining, please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit our Join us page. 

Venue:

Elgin Museum Hall, 1 High Street, Elgin, IV30 1EQ (click here for a map of the venue and surrounding location).

When:

On the following Thursdays at 7.30pm:

08 Nov 2018  Mark Young – The moths of NE Scotland

13 Dec 2018    John Calladine – Short-eared Owls and attempts to unravel some of their secrets

10 Jan 2019     Ben Darvill – New technologies, Cuckoos and other long distant migrants

14 Feb 2019    Tim Mackrill – Ospreys in West Africa

14 Mar 2019  AGM & Members’ Night

Contact:

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 01309 674379

Sun 21 Oct 2018   

Findhorn Bay. Meet at 7.30am at bird hide car park on the Kinloss-Findhorn road (NJ052632)

Sat 17 Nov 2018 

Loch Spynie. Meet at 10.00am at car park in Scarffbanks (NJ238662)

Sat 26 Jan 2019   

Nairn/Kingsteps. Meet at 10.00am at car park at Nairn Links (NH883569)

Sat 16 Feb 2019 

Spey Bay. Meet at 10.00am at Dolphin Centre car park (NJ348654)               

Sat 23 Mar 2019   

Portgordon to Cullen. Meet at 10.00am at Portgordon Harbour (NJ395644)

Contact:

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 01309 674379

Chair:

David Law

Secretary:

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 01309 674379

Treasurer and representative of the branch on SOC council:

Melvin Morrison

Committee members:

Alastair Young, Frank Ritchie, Martin Cook and Richard Somers Cocks

Moray & Nairn recorder:

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.

Website:

Birds in Moray and Nairn www.birdsinmorayandnairn.org is a comprehensive website operated by Martin. The site includes details of the latest sightings, forthcoming survey work (and how to get involved), branch meetings and outings, as well as giving users the option to view or print the latest and previous editions of the Moray & Nairn bird report – for free!

Beginners Birdwatching courses:

Organised by Martin, these courses run periodically. Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more info.

Bird recording in this area

Visit the Moray & Nairn recording area page. A guide to different aspects of bird recording in the area can also be found at www.birdsinmorayandnairn.org . 

The Breeding Birds of North-East Scotland

Click here to read about this atlas, which covers Moray, Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen City.