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
Wednesday 16 September | Online
The Birds of Islay and Jura - Peter Roberts
Thursday 8 October | In person
Mapping Scotland's birds, past present and future - Steve Willis
Wednesday 14 October | Online
Telling tales with tech: a glimpse into the secret lives of seabirds - Katherine Booth Jones
Thursday 12 November | In person
Looning about - Mike Crutch
Wednesday 18 November | Online
Talking with Birds - Dan Gardoqui
Thursday 10 December | In person
Corn Buntings in Fife - Will Cresswell
Wednesday 16 December | Online
Talk & speaker TBA
Wednesday 13 January | Online
Effects of climate change on biodiversity - Dr. Kirsty Park
Thursday 14 January | In person
Crested Tits in Moray and beyond – Martin Cook
Thursday 11 February | 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 17 February | Online
Understanding Scotland’s birds of prey - Mike Thornton
Thursday 11 March | In person
AGM & Members' Night
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:
Keith Kingscott, email
Venue for in-person meetings:
Elgin Community Centre, Trinity Rd, Elgin IV30 1UE (click here to view a map of the venue and surrounding area).
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 email us or visit our Join us page.
Outings
Details of planned outings will be sent to SOC Moray branch members by email, if you have signed up for this (or click here if you haven't already done so).
Saturday 11 July
Portknockie (meeting at 10am at NJ822664)
Contact:
Keith Kingscott, email
Branch Committee
Chair:
Martin Cook
Secretary:
Keith Kingscott, email
Treasurer:
Melvin Morrison
Representative of the branch on SOC Council:
Richard Somers Cocks
Committee members:
Karen Cunningham, Graham Larrington, Sue Larrington, David Law, Richard Somers Cocks and Alastair Young
Moray & Nairn recorder:
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.
Website:
Birds in Moray and Nairn www.birdsinmorayandnairn.org is a comprehensive website operated by Martin Cook. 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!
Social media:
Martin Cook also runs a WhatsApp group, Moray & Nairn Rare Birds. If you're interested in joining, please contact Martin.
Minutes from the 2025 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 Martin 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.
