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
Monday 5 October | In person
What’s the point of a nest? Recent insights into inter-specific nest variation - Catherine Sheard
Wednesday 14 October | Online
Telling tales with tech: a glimpse into the secret lives of seabirds - Katherine Booth Jones
Monday 2 November | In person
SOS Puffin: saving puffins from invasive plants in the Firth of Forth - Helen Anderson
Wednesday 18 November | Online
Talking with Birds - Dan Gardoqui
Monday 7 December | In person
Title TBA - Alex Brighten
Wednesday 16 December | Online
Talk & speaker TBA
Tuesday 12 January | In person (joint with local RSPB Members Group) (NB venue: Zoology Lecture Theatre*)
The New BTO Bird Atlas - Steve Willis
Wednesday 13 January | Online
Effects of climate change on biodiversity - Dr. Kirsty Park
Monday 8 February | In person
Seabird tracking at Whinnyfold - Sophie Bennett
Wednesday 17 February | Online
Understanding Scotland’s birds of prey - Mike Thornton
March
With the SOC/BTO Spring Conference in Aberdeen on 6 March, there will be no indoor branch meeting this month.
Wednesday 17 March | Online
Using citizen science data to identify targets for conservation action in European landbirds - Catriona Morrison
Monday 5 April | In person
AGM & The Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve - Simon Ritchie
Wednesday 14 April | Online
Monitoring Waterfowl: Technology, new developments, and the Moray Firth - Dr. Kate Thompson
Contact:
John Wills
01467 651296
Venue for in-person meetings:
Meeting Room 1, The Sir Duncan Rice Library, University of Aberdeen, Bedford Road, AB24 3AA - click here to view a map of the venue and surrounding area. *The January meeting, held in conjunction with the local RSPB group, will be held at Zoology Lecture Theatre, Tillydrone Avenue, Aberdeen AB24 2TZ (map). Please note we ask attendees for a suggested donation of £1 students/£2 SOC members/£3 non-members to help cover room hire costs.
Branch Committee
Secretary:
John Wills, 01467 651296
Chair & representative of the branch on SOC Council:
Alan Knox
Treasurer:
Mark Sullivan
Committee Members:
Ian Broadbent (ex officio as Branch Recorder) and Claire Marsden
North-East Scotland recorder:
North-East Scotland Assistant Recorder:
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.
Branch Newsletter:
North-East Scotland Branch Newsletter is published once or twice annually and emailed to branch members, as well as being made available to view below. The newsletter shares details of notable bird sightings and records in the region, research and survey developments and updates, branch news and activities and often includes contributions from the Grampian Ringing Group.
Click here to read back issues of the branch newsletter.
Social media:
Facebook: Type ‘ABZ Rare Birds’ in the search bar
Bird watching in NE Scotland
Click here for our guide to Birdwatching the Ythan Estuary
Visit the RSPB’s Loch of Strathbeg nature reserve website
Bird recording in this area
Visit the North-East Scotland recording area page for details of the latest bird reports, back issues, species considered locally and for Local Recorder contact information.
The Breeding Birds of North-East Scotland
Click here to read about this atlas, which covers Moray, Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen City.
