The next Borders branch outing is to Musselburgh Lagoons on Saturday 29 March at 11.00am. All are welcome, whether you're a beginner wanting to improve your ID skills, or a more experienced birder who's looking for like-minded people to go out with.
 
Please meet at Goose Green (NT346734; what3words trim.found.today). We will start birding overlooking the mouth of the River Esk and the mudflats with an incoming tide (H.T. 14.24), before moving to the scrapes to view waders there. There are new scrapes since our last visit. Bring a waterproof bag to sit on!
 
This is a whole day outing so bring a packed lunch and dress for the weather forecast.
 
It is not necessary to book a place unless you want to car share, but please contact Malcolm Ross on WhatsApp or via this site if you need any more information. 

​Oystercatchers © Alistair Cutter

Owing to a change to our organised speaker's availability, the Borders branch committee is bringing forward the AGM that was planned for the 14th April to Monday 10th March. Have your say on the running of the club for the next year!

There is car parking at the venue, and a contribution of £2 from members and £3 from non-members is requested towards the venue hire.

Our next branch outing is planned for Sunday 2 March when we'll be visiting Yetholm Loch. This will be a half day outing, meeting in Town Yetholm near the Plough Hotel at 10am. We will be hopeful of seeing smew and Great White Egret both in recent residence to name a couple of possibilities.

After parking surplus cars at the Plough Hotel, we will car share to the loch where parking is limited.
The walk to the hide can be muddy so wear appropriate footwear.

Telescopes will be available. Bring a hot drink and a light snack and dress according to the forecast.
If you would like to join us, please contact Malcolm Ross via the WhatsApp or Facebook groups for more information.

​We hope to see you there!

Picture of Smew on Yetholm Loch copyright David Gray

***NOTE: NEW DATE!***
​With perfect timing as our thoughts start to turn to spring visitors, Stan da Prato will be guiding us through warbler identification by sight and sound. The speaker will explain how to ID the species that breed in Scotland as well as listen to their songs and calls then say a little about how they live and their migrations​.

Our weel-kent speaker Stan da Prato grew up in North Berwick and still lives locally. Stan is a past president of the SOC and is a former editor of the SOC quarterly journal Scottish Birds. He has a Doctorate on warblers and habitat in the Lothians.
​
Join us at 7.30pm on Monday 10th March in the Eildon Suite of Melrose Rugby Football Club at the Greenyards in Melrose TD6 9SA. £2 to members, £3 to non-members to cover room hire. Not to forget biscuits and tea or coffee!
​
Thank you to Alistair Cutter for this Grasshopper Warbler image

Francis Daunt talks to us in our first meeting of 2025 on The ecology of North Sea seabirds.

Francis has 25 years’ experience of research into seabird population ecology. His main research interest is in understanding the impacts of anthropogenic change on seabird populations, in particular climate, fisheries and marine renewables. He leads UKCEH's long-term seabird study on the Isle of May, one of the longest running and most comprehensive of its kind in the world. He has led numerous projects on drivers of change in seabird populations funded by research councils, government and industry. He is an Honorary Professor at the School of Biology and Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews.

Join us at 7.30pm on Monday 9th December in the Eildon Suite of Melrose Rugby Football Club at the Greenyards in Melrose TD6 9SA.
​
£2 to members, £3 to non-members to cover room hire. Not to forget biscuits and tea or coffee!

Neil Stratton, our Secretary and club representative of branch on SOC Council, takes us through the Breeding Birds Survey and Waterways BBS results for the Borders 2023 including selected highlights.

Join us at 7.30pm on Monday 9th December in the Eildon Suite of Melrose Rugby Football Club at the Greenyards in Melrose TD6 9SA.
​
£2 to members, £3 to non-members to cover room hire. Not to forget biscuits and tea or coffee!
Female pochard image copyright Richard Jackson 

This outing will be to The Hirsel, Coldstream. Meet in the car park (cash payment of £2) beside the courtyard at 10am. Expect to see wildfowl including Mandarin Duck, Gadwall and geese species, and we'll look for Hawfinches near the house. Dress for the weather. Walking boots or trainers will suffice. We'll lunch in the cafe so bring cash (I don't know if it accepts card payments).
​
Contact via WhatsApp or Facebook if you want to share transport. Telescopes will be available for sharing. Depart by mid-afternoon.
​
Picture of Little Grebe copyright Richard Jackson

For 35 years, Ronnie Graham has been fascinated by forest-nesting raptors and owls monitoring local populations and recording their many ups and downs. Ronnie is happy to embrace new technology and shares what satellite tagging of the species has revealed.

Join us at 7.30pm on Monday 11th November in the Eildon Suite of Melrose Rugby Football Club at the Greenyards in Melrose TD6 9SA.
​
£2 to members, £3 to non-members to cover room hire. Not to forget biscuits and tea or coffee!
Picture credit copyright Alistair Cutter

On Sunday 10th November we will explore Bemersyde, Whitrig and Smailholm and hope to turn up some some regulars and perhaps some unexpected autumn visitors.

Meet at Bemersyde hide at 10am (NT615339. what3words smallest.steadier.warm). This is a half day outing; you will only need a flask & snack. Check the forecast before you set off and wear suitable clothing ie bring a raincoat! Contact us via our Facebook page or WhatsApp group if you need any more information.

Bring binoculars. Telescopes will be available to share. No dogs please as this trip includes a hide visit and farmland access.