INDOOR MEETINGS 2024-2025
Our meetings take place in Elgin Library, Cooper Park, Elgin IV30 1HS, on the second Thursday of each month during October-March. Meetings start at 7:30pm. For this session only, our January, February and March meetings will be held in Elgin Community Centre.
Meetings begin with a short discussion of notable recent sightings, followed by the main presentation. The evening finishes with the opportunity to chat with friends over refreshments.
Everyone with an interest in birds is very welcome to attend, whether or not you are a member of SOC.
There is a small admission charge of £2 for SOC members and £3 for non-members.
For enquiries and further information please contact the Moray Bird Club secretary, Chris Thomas, at moraysecretary@the-soc.org.uk
Dates for the 2024-2025 session are:
Wednesday 18 September
Jonathan Meiburg – The Caracaras would like to meet you: introducing the world’s smartest and strangest birds of prey (online)
Thursday 10 October. Elgin Library
Martin Cook and David Law (Moray Bird Club) – Spotlight on Speymouth
An exploration of the area around the River Spey as it approaches the sea, looking at birds, plants and other wildlife.
Wednesday 16 October
Dave Parish (NatureScot) – Stepping up efforts to save Scotland’s critically endangered Chough (online only)
Thursday 14 November. Elgin Library
Ian Francis (African Bird Club) – African birds – supporting their conservation: the work of the African Bird Club
Wednesday 20 November
Ian Thomson (RSPB) – Ending raptor persecution on Scotland’s grouse moors? (online only)
Thursday 12 December. Elgin Library
Anthony Wetherhill (BTO) – Tracking Goosanders
Gavin Ross – The work of the National Wildlife Crime Unit
Thursday 13 February. Elgin Community Centre
Nina O’Hanlon (BTO Scotland) – Skuas
Focussing on the migrations of Scottish breeding Arctic Skuas as revealed by geolocator-tagged birds.
Thursday 13 March. Elgin Community Centre
AGM and Members’ Evening
Including 2-3 short presentations by Club members – to be announced nearer the time.
The online Wednesday meetings are for SOC members only. Members will be notified of joining arrangements by SOC HQ.
Contact:
Chris Thomas, Moray Branch Secretary at moraysecretary@the-soc.org.uk
WINTER OUTINGS 2024-2025
Saturday 19 October – Spey Bay and the Spey estuary on the Kingston side. Leaders: Graham and Sue Larrington
Saturday 23 November – Cloddach wetland. Leader: Martin Cook
December – No outing
Saturday 18 January – Culbin Forest and Nairn Bar. Leader: Richard Somers Cocks (note date change from Sunday to Saturday)
We hope you can join us for Moray Bird Club’s next outing on Saturday 18th January – please note the change of date from previously advertised (19th January). In the company of Richard Somers Cocks, we will be exploring Nairn East Beach & Bar and Culbin Sands Nature Reserve.
We will meet at the public car park at the east end of Nairn caravan park at 10am. OS grid ref: NH896574 What3words: “ogre.quits.buffoon”
From A96 take the turn signposted ‘East beach’ between River Nairn (east side) and the Trespass shop. Continue to the end of the road at the caravan park and turn right into the park. Continue through the caravan park for about 600m (many speed bumps) until reaching the public car park (free) at the end. Note: the public toilets in the car park are currently locked.
The walk will take us through the dunes to the beach, past Minister’s Pool, and through the forest – a great selection of different habitats. This involves good paths, some rough ground and forest trails all on level walking. There may be some wetter patches; good walking boots or wellies are advised. Total distance to cover in the 3 hours will be around 5-6km. We will be back at the car park for 1pm.
Expected sightings include a variety of waders and wildfowl, as well as a mix of passerines such as winter thrushes and smaller birds in the woods.
What to bring:
Please bring optics and suitable outdoor clothing and footwear.
Please note:
Participants are reminded that the Club, its branches and individual leaders of outings cannot accept responsibility for any injury suffered by individuals taking part in these outings, or any loss or damage to their property.
We hope to see you there!
Saturday 22 February – Lossiemouth, from estuary to harbour. Leader: Melvin Morrison
Saturday 15 March – Portknockie and Cullen. Leader: David Law
All outings run between 10am-1pm on Saturdays, except for Sunday 19 January (to avoid possible wildfowl shooting at Nairn Bar on the Saturday)
Reports on previous outings:
Club outing, Findhorn Bay 16 October 2022
Club outing, Cloddach wetland 13 November 2022
Club outing, Lossiemouth 10 December 2022
Club outing, Spey Bay and Portgordon 28 January 2023
Club outing, Burghead-Hopeman 18 February 2023
Club outing, Findhorn Bay 1 October 2023
Club outing, Burghead-Cummingston 14 October 2023
Club outing, Loch Spynie RSPB Reserve 11 November 2023
Club outing, Cloddach wetland 16 December 2023
Club outing, Lossiemouth 13 January 2024
Club outing, Cullen 10 February 2024
Club outing, Scalan 1 June 2024
Club outing, Spey Bay and Kingston 19 October 2024
Club outing, Cloddach wetland 23 November 2024