Summer opening hours

From 17 April, SOC HQ at Waterston House, Aberlady is open for an extra hour each day!
Come and visit us Wednesday - Sunday, from 10am-5pm.

#SOC #birding #scottishbirding #aberlady #eastlothian

Photo © June Scott

Join us at our Optical Demo day on Saturday 20th April at the SOC in Aberlady. Trish will be on hand to offer expert advice on their full array of binoculars and telescopes.

SOC Members' Talk - Wednesday 17th April at 7.30pm

Members should have received details of our upcoming online talk, where we will be hearing about research projects on Great Skua in Orkney, Tree Sparrows in East Renfrewshire and island Wrens, all funded by our Endowment Fund.

***Optics Day at SOC Waterston House - Saturday 20th April***

Come and try out a wide range of binoculars & telescopes and get free expert advice! Find more info at: the-soc.org.uk/pages/event/bi…

#SOC #optics #birding #scottishbirding #telescope #binoculars

Have you heard any singing warblers such as Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler?

Singing can be recorded as breeding evidence in BirdTrack, don't forget to add counts of singing birds and territories to the comments box: the-soc.org.uk/pages/birdtrack

Photos © Bob Hamilton

Still around in Kilwinning! And looking lovely in breeding plumage - the record breaking Myrtle Warbler.

Last chance to see our current exhibition 'Ode to Nature' by Derek Robertson and Fiona Clucas. Here is a glimpse of it. Come and see it in the flesh before it flies away. Open until and including this Sunday (10-4).

Published in ‘Nature’ this month, using genome sequencing from the ‘Bird 10,000 Genomes Project (B10K)’ and evidence from fossil birds, this truly international, decade-long study has shaken up and reorganised the avian family tree.

New to birding, or just want to learn a bit more about both species ID and the fascinating lives of some of our resident and migrant bird species from a birding expert?

Come and join one of our guided bird identification walks! Check out: the-soc.org.uk/pages/events

#birding #soc

The SOC are delighted to support the #lekitbe campaign, helping to protect our sensitive breeding Capercaillie.

Check out the campaign at lekitbe.scot

#capercaillie #soc #scottishbirding #responsiblewildlifewatching #cairngormsnationalpark

Not all migrants are travelling from somewhere warm. Curlews are already on the move, heading from our coasts and estuaries to higher ground, or perhaps over the North Sea to breed in Scandinavia.

See our Birding Calendar for more birds to spot in April: the-soc.org.uk/pages/birding-…

Derek Robertson, who is currently exhibiting at the SOC alongside Fiona Clucas, has studied the Tay reedbeds for years. He is finalising a recent study of Water Rails there, which gave him the opportunity to draw these elusive birds. Exhibition open Wed-Sun (10-4), until 14 Apr.

Only a couple of weeks left to apply for one of our vacancies! We are looking for a Club Manager and Administrative Officer.

Find more details at the-soc.org.uk/pages/vacancies

ARRAN BIRD REPORT 2023

Now available and a 'must' for anyone interested in the birds of Arran, this 2023 report is as up to date as any bird report could possibly be! Priced £9.99, info on how to get your copy is at tinyurl.com/2y65a5rr

*Hen Harrier Survey 2023 - come and hear the results!*
We are delighted to welcome scientists from RSPB Scotland to present their findings to SOC branches.
Borders 8 April
Lothian 9 April
Dumfries 10 April
Stewartry 11 April
Check the SOC website for more info!
#henharriers #soc

The winners of the Scottish Nature Photography Awards were announced a few days ago, they include some stunning images of birds such as these...

***Optics Day at SOC Waterston House - Saturday 20th April***

Come and try out a wide range of binoculars & telescopes and get free expert advice!

Find more info at: the-soc.org.uk/pages/event/bi….

#SOC #optics #birding #scottishbirding #telescope #binoculars

SOC Clyde Branch has launched a webpage dedicated to the Glasgow Peregrines.

It's packed with the latest clips and information about the project led by John Simpson on behalf of SOC and in collaboration with University of Glasgow & RSPB Scotland.

Check it out: birdsinclyde.scot/peregrines.html

🚨 Last chance to apply 🚨

🕓 Sunday 31st March deadline

Make sure to get your application in by the end of this week!

🔗 Apply here: tinyurl.com/9fesrtm8

Fiona Clucas who is currently exhibiting at the SOC alongside Derek Robertson, produces highly unusual charcoal drawings. It is rare to see finished work in charcoal and these are extremely achieved and effective. Open Wed-Sun (10-4).the-soc.org.uk/pages/exhibiti…