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 meeting will be emailed to members around a week in advance of the event. To receive these emails (including Zoom joining instructions and workshop booking information, where applicable), you must be signed up to the Branch News & Events - Talks & Workshops mailing list.
When:
7.30pm
Wednesday 16 September | Online
The Birds of Islay and Jura - Peter Roberts
Thursday 1 October | In person
The Highland Cow and the Capercaillie: Lessons in large ecosystem management for the future of nature and planet Earth - Roy Dennis, OBE
Wednesday 14 October | Online
Telling tales with tech: a glimpse into the secret lives of seabirds - Katherine Booth Jones
Thursday 5 November | In person
Pictures from life - Darren Rees
Wednesday 18 November | Online
Talking with Birds - Dan Gardoqui
Wednesday 16 December | Online
Talk & speaker TBA
Wednesday 13 January | Online
Effects of climate change on biodiversity - Dr. Kirsty Park
Thursday 4 February | In person
Bird Atlas project - Speaker TBA
Wednesday 17 February | Online
Understanding Scotland’s birds of prey - Mike Thornton
Thursday 4 March | In person
The birds of Central and South America - Michael Cook
Wednesday 17 March | Online
Using citizen science data to identify targets for conservation action in European landbirds - Catriona Morrison
Wednesday 14 April | Online
Monitoring Waterfowl: Technology, new developments, and the Moray Firth - Dr. Kate Thompson
Contact:
01786 823 830
Venue:
In-person meetings will be held in the General Purpose Room, The Allan Centre, Fountain Road, Bridge of Allan, FK9 4AT (click here to view a map of the venue and surrounding area). This is on the doorstep of the University of Stirling and students are always very welcome to attend!
Outings
Outings details will be sent to SOC Central Scotland branch members by email, if you have signed up for these (or click here if you haven't already done so). Alternatively please contact Neil Bielby.
Saturday 29 August
Hound Point
Saturday 12 September
Tullibody Inch
Contact:
Neil Bielby 01786 823 830 or send Neil an email.
Branch Committee
Secretary and Treasurer
Neil Bielby, 01786 823 830
Chair and representative of branch on SOC Council:
Michael Cook
Vice-chair
Eilidh McNab
Committee members:
Rick Goater, Roger Gooch, Roger Stewart, Billy Thomson, Ken Wilkinson
Upper Forth recorder:
Assistant recorder:
Neil Bielby (as above)
Other Information
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.
Social media:
The branch is on BlueSky: visit upperforthbirds
Branch newsletter
Central Scotland branch's newsletter Whinchat is periodically emailed to branch members and includes details of branch talks, outings and activities locally as well as summaries of recent outings and other branch-related news. Read the latest issue here. Archive issues can be found here.
The Birds of Clackmannanshire
For the first time ever, the birdlife of Clackmannanshire has been systematically recorded to produce an ornithological atlas for the County. Click here to read more about it.
Bird recording
Visit the Upper Forth recording area page for details of the latest bird report, back issues, species considered locally and for Local Recorder contact information.
