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 9 September | In person
SWT Stenhouse Reserve - Colin Mitchell
Wednesday 16 September | Online
The Birds of Islay and Jura - Peter Roberts
Wednesday 14 October | In person
East Renfrewshire’s Tree Sparrows: back from the brink - a community success story - Kevin Sinclair
Wednesday 14 October | Online
Telling tales with tech: a glimpse into the secret lives of seabirds - Katherine Booth Jones (this will be recorded)
Wednesday 11 November | In person
The Bird Atlas project - Steve Willis
Wednesday 18 November | Online
Talking with Birds - Dan Gardoqui
Wednesday 9 December | In person
Tide Watchers: Wading birds in Dumfries and Galloway - Mark Pollitt
Wednesday 16 December | Online
Talk & speaker TBA
Wednesday 13 January | In person
The Glasgow Peregrine Project - John Simpson
Wednesday 13 January | Online
Effects of climate change on biodiversity - Dr. Kirsty Park (this will be recorded)
Wednesday 10 February | In person
Talk & speaker TBA
Wednesday 17 February | Online
Understanding Scotland’s birds of prey - Mike Thornton
Wednesday 10 March | In person
AGM & An update on the D&G swift project after 3 years - Andrew Turney
Wednesday 17 March | Online
Using citizen science data to identify targets for conservation action in European landbirds - Catriona Morrison
Wednesday 14 April | In person
Dragonflies for birders - Barbara Mearns
Wednesday 14 April | Online
Monitoring Waterfowl: Technology, new developments, and the Moray Firth - Dr. Kate Thompson (this will be recorded)
Contact:
Heather Stevenson, tel: 07425 160900
Venue for indoor meetings:
Dumfries Baptist Church Centre, Gillbrae Rd DG1 4EJ (click here for a map of the venue and surrounding area).
Outings
Excursion details will be sent to SOC Dumfries branch members by email, if you have signed up for this (or click here if you haven't already done so).
Contact
Heather Stevenson, tel: 07425 160900
Branch Committee
Secretary:
Heather Stevenson, 07425 160900
Chair and representative on SOC Council:
Andrew Turney
Treasurer
Alex Banwell
Committee members:
Jon Diggle, Edmund Fellowes and Sue Grieve
Dumfries and Galloway recorder:
Gavin Chambers and Alyn Chambers, dgrecorder@gmail.com
Other Information
Talks 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. 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.
Nearby branches of the SOC
Find out more about Stewartry branch Visit the West Galloway branch page
Birdwatching in Dumfries
Click here for a guide of recommended sites to visit and to download a free, full-colour birdwatching guide produced by D&G Council Ranger Service. In addition, the SOC's award-winning Where to Watch Birds in Scotland app is free to download, and includes many excellent birding sites in the region.
Bird recording in this area
Visit the Dumfries & Galloway recording area page for details of the latest bird report, back issues, species considered locally and for Local Recorder contact information.
