The Scottish Ornithologists' Club
@scottishbirding.bsky.social
3.2K followers 18 following 150 posts
The SOC is Scotland's Bird Club. We bring together like-minded individuals with a passion for birds and nature, through a programme of talks, outings and via our renowned journal, 'Scottish Birds'. www.the-soc.org.uk
Posts Media Videos Starter Packs
scottishbirding.bsky.social
Were looking forward to working closely with the BTO and other partners on Bird Atlas 2027-31, and to supporting the vital role that Scotland’s birdwatching community will play in its success.
btobirds.bsky.social
Exciting news! We’re planning the upcoming Bird Atlas 2027-31, and have met with @birdwatchireland.bsky.social @scottishbirding.bsky.social and @birdsinwales.bsky.social to discuss how we can work together on what we hope will be the most productive Atlas yet. #Ornithology #UKBirding
A group photo of the BTO and BirdWatch Ireland team together on the top of a cliff with green vegetation in the foreground and blue sea in the background. A group photo of the BTO and SOC team together sitting on a bench and standing in front of a wood timber building. A group photo of the BTO and WOS team together standing in front of a building with a small tree behind them.
scottishbirding.bsky.social
Clyde SOC are helping young birders in Clyde-who face financial barriers to attending Conference-to participate in the 2025 event on 22 Nov @ Kilmardinny House. Clyde are subsidising 20 conf. places, allowing successful applicants to pay £10. Application process & criteria apply tinyurl.com/bdd5fn7d
Watching Kittiwake © Samuel Hood
scottishbirding.bsky.social
Booking is now open for the SOC Annual Conference!

Open to SOC members and non-members alike, this year's theme is Scotland for birds: opportunities for positive change.

The Conference will be held in Bearsden on 22 November. For more info and to book, visit: www.the-soc.org.uk/pages/event/...
Stonechat © lauriecampbell.com
Male Stonechat, with a caterpillar in its bill, perched atop a flowering gorse bush with a yellow background of out of focus gorse
scottishbirding.bsky.social
Waterston House, SOC HQ, is about to celebrate its 20th birthday! To celebrate, we invite you to join us for a host of free activities at the centre on Sat 4 Oct (10am - 4pm), including bird walks, talks, childrens activities, live music & more! No need to book. Visit tinyurl.com/w4hb9hhy for info!
Waterston House © June Scott
scottishbirding.bsky.social
SOC Members' Talk - Wednesday 17th September at 7:30pm

All of our members should have received details of the upcoming online talk this Wednesday evening, where we will be joined by Alasdair Reid and John Simpson who will take us through their local branch projects on Marsh Tits and Peregrines.
One of the birds from the Glasgow Peregrine Project © lauriecampbell.com
scottishbirding.bsky.social
The recently published Lothian Bird Report 2022 and Isle of May Bird Observatory Bird Observatory Annual Report 2023 are now in stock at Waterston House.

#BirdingLothian
scottishbirding.bsky.social
Terns are finishing up their busy breeding season and are thinking about getting on the move. Now is a good time to look out for large roosts and local birds may be joined by those from further afield. A careful scan may reveal ringed birds which can be reported to BTO at app.bto.org/euring/lang/...
17 Sandwich Terns, a mix of adults and juveniles, roosting on a rocky shoreline © Alan Brown
scottishbirding.bsky.social
It's the 🦋 #BigButterflyCount 🦋 (18 July-10 August)

Come & join us, see what you can discover in our wildlife friendly garden at #WaterstonHouse. We've got everything you need to complete a survey, it takes just 15 minutes & is fun for all the family!

www.the-soc.org.uk/pages/gettin...
scottishbirding.bsky.social
New research on Edinburgh's urban Sparrowhawks has been published in Bird Study. Lead by Mike Thornton, SOC representative on Scottish Raptor Monitoring Group, the study looks at changes to Sparrowhawk diet and links to clutch size.
doi.org/10.1080/00063657.2025.2513542
#RaptorResearch #ornithology
Photo by John Agnew. Adult male Sparrowhawk perched on a garden fence. It is a small bird of prey with slate-grey back, wings, tail and head with rufous cheeks and breast. It has orange eyes and a hooked bill. The bird has its back to the camera but has turned its head to look at the camera.
scottishbirding.bsky.social
New Local Bird Recorder

Alex Penn has taken on the role of Fair Isle Bird Recorder. Alex is the Head of Ornithology at @fairislebirdobs.bsky.social and a keen birder and A-permit bird ringer.

For more information about bird recording in Fair Isle, visit: www.the-soc.org.uk/pages/local-...
Fair Isle
The SOC
www.the-soc.org.uk
Reposted by The Scottish Ornithologists' Club
ukrbbp.bsky.social
Surveying for rare breeding birds isn’t always successful, but is always worthwhile! RBBP member Ian Francis has been looking for the (increasingly?) elusive Dotterel… #birds #UKbirding youtu.be/FGa1ZKQbOKs?...
Surveying for Dotterel… and the value of null data!
YouTube video by Rare Breeding Birds Panel
youtu.be
Reposted by The Scottish Ornithologists' Club
birdtrack.bsky.social
Please continue to report all sightings of dead birds for possible testing for avian influenza:

📌In England, Wales & Scotland: www.gov.uk/guidance/rep...

📌In Northern Ireland: www.daera-ni.gov.uk/services/dae...

📌In Republic of Ireland: aviancheck.apps.services.agriculture.gov.ie/report
Report dead wild birds
How to report dead wild birds.
www.gov.uk
Reposted by The Scottish Ornithologists' Club
stevedudley.bsky.social
The Orkney Bird Report 2024 is out!
144 pages inc accounts for all species recorded in 2024, Ringing report, @northronbirdobs.bsky.social report, Meteorological report and finders accounts of county 1st Black-faced Bunting and 2nd American Robin. Price £12. DM me for sales info. #OrkneyBirding
Front cover of the Orkney Bird Report 2024 featuring a male Red-backed Shrike atop a sycamore tree Contents page for Orkney Bird Report 2024 Whooper Swan account from Orkney Bird Report 2024 Page 94 from Orkney Bird Report 2024
scottishbirding.bsky.social
JOB OPPORTUNITY | ASSISTANT DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
We're looking for an Assistant Development Officer to enhance the Club’s delivery of key programmes and provide vital support to our Development Manager, across several cross-cutting areas of activity. Full vacancy details here: //tinyurl.com/3jrd5t5r
scottishbirding.bsky.social
Marsh Tits are now only found in 1 known area of Scotland & are one of our rarest breeding birds at 3 known pairs. The Scottish Marsh Tit Project is looking for volunteers to assist in the species' conservation. Join an online info evening on 2 July to find out more tinyurl.com/yswhtuxz #ornithology
Marsh Tit © Peter Stronach Marsh Tit © Peter Stronach
scottishbirding.bsky.social
Family mothing event: Waterston House is mecca for moths, with >200 species recorded there. Take a look in the moth traps on Tues 1 July, 9-11am, to see what its lights have brought in. Hosted by
@eastlothiancouncil.bsky.social
Countryside Rangers. Tickets £4.95 p/p. Book at tinyurl.com/32kjw76u
Peppered Moth © John Harrison Poplar Hawk-moth © John Harrison
Reposted by The Scottish Ornithologists' Club
alanknox.bsky.social
#Nightjars! Don't you just love 'em? An exceptional year in NE Scotland. Another pr pinned down last night w/ Paul Baxter & another bird at a new site

www.bto.org/get-involved...

@scottishbirding.bsky.social @btoscotland.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social #birdingscotland @greg-conway.bsky.social
scottishbirding.bsky.social
OPTICS DEMO EVENT NEXT MONTH
Thursday 19th June | 10:30am - 3pm | Free event | No Booking

We’re hosting a Viking Optical demo at our HQ #WaterstonHouse in Aberlady, this is a fantastic chance to try out optics in field conditions and get advice from experts: www.the-soc.org.uk/pages/gettin....
scottishbirding.bsky.social
As Volunteer Week continues (2nd-8th June), today we're shining a light on the dedicated individuals who serve on our Council & Board of Trustees.

A huge thank you to all our volunteer office bearers & recorders— your contributions make a lasting impact.
#VolunteerWeek #ThankYouVolunteers #TeamSOC
Dr Alan Knox (SOC Council member), checking a sound recorder, Aberdeenshire An ornithologist working in the field, North Scotland
Reposted by The Scottish Ornithologists' Club
Reposted by The Scottish Ornithologists' Club
alanknox.bsky.social
Another good night for #Nightjar in Aberdeenshire. Singing males found at another two new sites.
www.bto.org/get-involved...

@scottishbirding.bsky.social @btoscotland.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social #scottishbirding @greg-conway.bsky.social
scottishbirding.bsky.social
Waterston House is a mecca for moths, with over 200 species recorded there. Take a look in the moth traps on 10 June, 9-11am to see what the trap's lights have brought in. Ages +16. Hosted by @eastlothiancouncil.bsky.social Countryside Rangers. Tickets: £8.40 each. To book visit tinyurl.com/3pmz8ztz
Image of moth © John Harrison
scottishbirding.bsky.social
🎼‘OFF THE WING’ MUSIC RECITAL #WaterstonHouse 🎼
Tomorrow Sat. 31st May | 11am – 12:30pm | Free event | No Booking

Join us for a traditional Scottish music recital, with poetry and literature, from trio ‘Off the Wing’ featuring guitar, harp and voice performances: www.the-soc.org.uk/pages/gettin...
'Off the Wing' trio seated: Tom Kane, Enid Forsyth and Martine Robertson
Image Credit: 3 Harbours Arts Festival. “Off the Wing” YouTube video film still, 32:01. 29/06/21. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kfkppfw-tAU
scottishbirding.bsky.social
It was a pleasure to join the Glasgow Peregrine Watch earlier this week for the ringing of the two chicks. It was great to see and speak to so many people about the city's Peregrine pair.

You can find out more about the project on the Clyde Branch website: www.birdsinclyde.scot/peregrines.h...
A group of people at the watchpoint looking up at the Peregrines through binoculars and telescopes © Trish Donald Peregrine perched on a chapel spire © Trish Donald