Talks
We're delighted to share our Winter (September-April) 2026-27 meeting programme below. The talks will be held as a hybrid (online/in-person) programme. Although SOC members are affiliated to their nearest branch, they are also welcome to attend other meetings held across the branch network.
More information about each talk will be emailed to members around a week in advance of the event. To receive these emails (including Zoom joining instructions for online meetings), you must be signed up to the Branch News & Events - Talks & Workshops mailing list.
When:
7.30pm
Monday 14 September | In person
Tracking Cuckoos: Changing technology and new discoveries - Steve Willis
Wednesday 16 September | Online
The Birds of Islay and Jura - Peter Roberts
Monday 12 October | In person
Bird Conservation in the Philippines - Dylan McKenzie
Wednesday 14 October | Online
Telling tales with tech: a glimpse into the secret lives of seabirds - Katherine Booth Jones
Tuesday 10 November | In person
The Bird Atlas project - Steve Willis (NB Tuesday rather than the usual Monday for in-person talks)
Wednesday 18 November | Online
Talking with Birds - Dan Gardoqui
Monday 14 December | In person
Birds of Costa Rica - John Walker
Wednesday 16 December | Online
Talk & speaker TBA
Monday 11 January | In person
The work behind Bird Gardens Scotland - Owen Joiner
Wednesday 13 January | Online
Effects of climate change on biodiversity - Dr. Kirsty Park
Monday 8 February | In person
Talk & speaker TBA
Wednesday 17 February | Online
Understanding Scotland’s birds of prey - Mike Thornton
Monday 8 March | In person
Woodland Habitats and Life in and Beneath the Canopy - Malcolm Haddow
Wednesday 17 March | Online
Using citizen science data to identify targets for conservation action in European landbirds - Catriona Morrison
Monday 12 April | In person
AGM & Members’ Night
Wednesday 14 April | Online
Monitoring Waterfowl: Technology, new developments, and the Moray Firth - Dr. Kate Thompson
Contact:
John Turner, email
Venue for in-person meetings:
The Trinity Centre, 20 High Cross Avenue, Melrose, TD6 9SU (click here to view a map of the area)
Outings
Excursion details will be sent to SOC Borders branch members by email, if you have signed up for this (or click here if you haven't already done so).
Further outings will be announced in due course.
Contact:
John Turner, tel 07702 457007 or send John an email
Branch Committee
Secretary :
John Turner, tel 07702 457007 or send John an email
Chair and representative of branch on SOC Council :
Neil Stratton
Treasurer:
Richard Jackson
Engagement Officer:
Alasdair Reid
Webmaster:
Bridget Khursheed
Borders recorder:
Other Information
Borders Birds, Borders Branch Website
The branch has a fantastic website which it launched in 2023 - you can take a look at it here.
Whether you are new to birdwatching, an experienced birder, or somewhere in between, the purpose of the website is to get you involved and further your enjoyment of Scotland's wonderful birdlife. Keep up to date with the latest local news or find out what birds you can expect to find in the region with a comprehensive bird list. The Recording and Reporting section contains useful information on how to report bird sightings, and there's a handy Resources section which includes links to local and national surveys.
Social media:
The branch has its own Facebook group - this is a public group, so all posts are available for anyone to see. However, to post you must be a member and answer a couple of very quick questions to get access.
If you would like to join the local WhatsApp group which has been primarily set up for members to post interesting sighting of birds in the Scottish Borders area, simply search for 'SOC Borders Bird Sightings'. There's also a SOC Borders Branch News Group (Borders Birds) which can be joined by emailing the group owner, David Parkinson - this is now mostly used to post talks and outings reminders.
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.
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.
