Moray

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.

When:

The following Thursdays at 7.30pm:

Thu 21 Oct          John Love – A natural history of St Kilda
Thu 11 Nov         Norman Elkins – Birding the Balearics
Thu 09 Dec          Dan Puplett – Bird tracks and signs

Contact:

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

Venue:

Once indoor meetings resume, they will be held at Elgin Museum Hall, 1 High Street, Elgin, IV30 1EQ (click here for a map of the venue and surrounding location).

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. 

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

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:

Frank Ritchie

Representative of the branch on SOC Council:

Richard Somers Cocks

Committee members:

Martin Cook, Sarah Law, Melvin Morrison, Richard Somers Cocks and Alastair Young

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!

Newsletter:

The branch has recently brought out a newsletter, published every two to three months and including updates on local events and training opportunities as well as photographs and other interesting articles.  The most recent issue can be downloaded here (April 2021).  Back issues of the newsletter can be downloaded here.

Minutes from the 2021 Moray Branch AGM:

Click here to download a copy of the minutes from the recent Moray Branch AGM.

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.