OPTICS DEMO EVENT TOMORROW Saturday 8th November | 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...

⚠️ Please report sightings of dead birds for possible testing for Avian Influenza. ⬇️ 📌 In England, Wales & Scotland: www.gov.uk/guidance/... 📌 In Northern Ireland: www.daera-ni.gov.uk/... 📌 In Republic of Ireland: aviancheck.apps.serv... #UKBirding #BirdingWales #BirdingScotland

Last chance to book your place at SOC's Conference! This year's event centres around the effect of climate change on birds & looks at how these changes can be managed as positively as possible. There'll be a chance to socialise, network & enjoy a first-class line-up of speakers! tinyurl.com/2s43k3dj

October is a good time to look out for skeins of Barnacle Geese. These small, black, white and silver geese have a distinctive ‘barking dog’ like call. For more birds to look out for this autumn, check out our Birding Calendar: www.the-soc.org.uk/pages/birdin...

BIOACOUSTICS EVENT AT WATERSTON HOUSE, SOC HQ 2 November 2025 | 13:30- 15:30 | Booking essential | Charge applies Curious about bioacoustic bird surveying? Come along to share field experiences, hear updates, and explore how to get involved in Scotland’s growing bioacoustics network.

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.

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

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/...

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!

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.

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

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/...

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...

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

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-...

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?...

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

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

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

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

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

#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

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....

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

Do you have an interest in the financial operations and a broad understanding of the financial requirements on charities in Scotland? Become a Treasurer @scottishbirding.bsky.social Further details: tinyurl.com/3xntx229 #eastlothian #hybrid #boardmember #treasurer

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

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

🎼‘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...

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...

🎼‘OFF THE WING’ MUSIC RECITAL AT #WaterstonHouse 🎼 Saturday 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....

Breeding on the high tops, Dotterel can be extremely hard to see. It's in May that you may bump into a small group of Dotterel feeding or resting in a ploughed field as they stop off on migration. Eastern and coastal areas tend to be better but in theory they could turn up anywhere.

As promised, a shorter video with 3 pointers to making your birding more valuable for the monitoring of rare breeding birds. #birds #ornithology #UKbirding

Join us tomorrow at SOC HQ, from 2-4pm, for the launch of 'Donald Watson - Bird Artist and Writer', a celebration of Donald as one of Britain's finest bird artists & field ornithologists. Signed copies will be available and we'll be treated to some short talks about Donald from some of the authors.

The Common Sandpiper breeds in upland areas and has a characteristic way of bobbing along faster flowing streams and rivers. However, on migration they can be found in a variety of wetlands so listen out for their distinctive high pitched whistling calls.

2025 Endowment Fund Awards Every year our Endowment Fund supports amateur research to further the knowledge of the birds of Scotland and to contribute to the conservation of the birds of Scotland. More information and how to apply can be found at www.the-soc.org.uk/pages/resear...

After a few weeks away, the spring migrant table is now back up to date with many new arrivals. Numbers are building too with flocks of hirundines gathering over lochs like these Sand Martins photographed by David Abraham. You can explore the table in full at www.the-soc.org.uk/pages/spring...

This lekking season, please don’t go out looking for Capercaillie. Instead, stay at home and watch them on the live dust bath camera at our Abernethy nature reserve! Tune in here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRR2... #LekItBe 🎥 Male Capercaillie at the dust bath

Blackcaps being seen daily at the moment on #StKilda, in what's been a fairly quiet start to the season so far for migrants. Last year saw a remarkable 6 new species recorded for the island (see Scottish Birds 45:1, March 2025). What's in store this year? @scottishbirding.bsky.social

SOC Members' Talk - Wednesday 16th April 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 renowned wildlife artists Chris Rose and Darren Woodhead for an evening of live demonstrations.

With spring gathering pace, it won't be long before ducklings start to appear. You can submit sightings of any Mallard broods you spot to the DucklingWatch citizen science project: citsci.org/projects/duc...

Our bird ID walks with friendly and experienced guide, Scott Paterson, provide an enjoyable introduction to birds, bird identification and bird watching. You will receive lots of useful hints and tips for identifying a range of species and is an ideal opportunity to learn the basics of bird ID.

OPTICS DEMO EVENT TODAY! Saturday 5th April | 10:30am - 3pm | Free event | No Booking We’re hosting a Viking Optical & Swarovski Optik demo at #WaterstonHouse today, this is a fantastic chance to try out optics in field conditions and get advice from experts: www.the-soc.org.uk/pages/gettin...

Trustee opportunity: SOC Treasurer vacancy. Can you help us to safeguard SOC's finances for the future, to allow us to continue the Club's work promoting the study, enjoyment and conservation of wild birds across Scotland? Find out more about the role and how to apply here tinyurl.com/4cbm4rep

This week has seen a number of newly arrived spring migrants, including the first Willow Warblers and presumed migrant Blackcaps, while Swallow records have now been received from most recording areas. You can view our Spring Migrants Table in full at www.the-soc.org.uk/pages/spring...

It's your last chance to apply for the Scottish Bird Camp! The deadline for applications to take part in this free, action-packed weekend showcasing some of Scotland's wonderful bird life is fast approaching! Get your application in by 5pm on Sunday 30 March. Good luck! 🙂 tinyurl.com/bdfrf92d

OPTICS DEMO EVENT NEXT MONTH Saturday 5th April | 10:30am - 3pm | Free event | No Booking We’re hosting a Viking Optical & Swarovski Optik demo at #WaterstonHouse, this is a fantastic chance to try out optics in field conditions and get advice from experts: www.the-soc.org.uk/pages/gettin...

Migration has picked up over the last week with the arrival of Wheatears, Ospreys and even the odd Swallow and first Ring Ouzel. You can keep up to date by viewing our Spring Migrants Table (www.the-soc.org.uk/pages/spring...) and don't forget to record your sightings on @birdtrack.bsky.social.

The Isle of May breeding season is officially underway.We have our first shag on eggs!A clutch of three was seen putting first egg date back a week.This is the joint third earliest on record and 28 days earlier than the long term average (& 39 days earlier than last year).They have had a good winter

Alongside the SOC/BTO Scottish Bird Camp, BTO are running camps across the country! See below for more details on this fantastic opportunity!

Calling young bird enthusiasts! 🦅 Join us for Bird Camp in Scotland this year, which is totally free of charge! 😀 Find out more and apply ➡️ bit.ly/BTOBirdCamps We’re working in partnership with @scottishbirding.bsky.social to bring you a fun, nature filled Bird Camp in East Lothian. 🐦