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 relevant), 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
What can I do for citizen science, and what can citizen science do for me? - Louis Backstrom
Wednesday 14 October | Online
Telling tales with tech: a glimpse into the secret lives of seabirds - Katherine Booth Jones
Tuesday 3 November | Online
Interactions between agricultural land management and predation on the breeding success of wading birds on Orkney - Leah Gray
Wednesday 18 November | Online
Talking with Birds - Dan Gardoqui
Thursday 3 December | In person
The Work of the Scottish Raptor Study Group - Duncan Orr-Ewing
Wednesday 16 December | Online
Talk & speaker TBA
Tuesday 5 January | Online
Conserving Capercaillie while reducing conservation conflicts - Jack Bamber
Wednesday 13 January | Online
Effects of climate change on biodiversity - Dr. Kirsty Park
Tuesday 2 February | Online
Writing the wild - Stephen Rutt
Wednesday 17 February | Online
Understanding Scotland’s birds of prey - Mike Thornton
Thursday 4 March | In person
Are Buzzards in trouble? - Bob Swann
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:
07872 904180
Venue for in-person meetings:
In-person meetings will be held at The Corner Room, Ground Floor, King Street Halls, 6 King Street, Kirkwall KW15 1JF (click here to view a map of the venue and surrounding area). Please note that there may be a small charge to cover room hire.
Outings
No outings are currently planned.
Contact:
Tel: 07872 904180, email: helendavidaiton@hotmail.co.uk
Branch Committee
Chair:
Steve Sankey
Secretary, Treasurer, Vice-chair and representative of the branch on SOC Council:
Helen Aiton, 07872 904180
Orkney 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.
Social media:
Facebook: Type ‘Orkney Birding’ in the search bar
Birdwatching in Orkney
Click here for our guide to Birding North Ronaldsay
Bird recording in Orkney
Visit the Orkney recording area page for details of the latest bird report, back issues, species considered locally and for Local Recorder contact information.
