Trinity Centre, 20 High Cross Avenue, Melrose TD6 9SU At the intersection of the Mediterranean, Asia and Africa, Israel is a fascinating birding destination, with a host of local specialities and one of the best places in the World to see active migration. This illustrated talk will offer an introduction to the birding spectacles on offer, in a land still riven with conflict.
Richard Jackson is a keen life-long bird-watcher (and occasional twitcher), particularly around the NE of England, although now enjoying the delights of Scottish Borders birding in retirement. £2 to members, £3 to non-members to cover hall hire. Coffee/tea and biscuits available
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There is a new SOC outing for the Borders branch to look forward to coming up this September! We will be heading to the wonderful Kinneil Kerse on the Inner Forth between Grangemouth and Bo'ness. The outing takes place on Saturday the 2nd September 2023.
Meeting at NS 985812 at 10am We'll go round the nature reserve there before moving to the sewage works at NS 962811 to view birds on the mudflats with an incoming tide. Trainers/walking boots will suffice. Protective outerwear as dictated by the weather forecast. A hot drink and packed lunch will be required. Telescopes will be available for anyone who doesn't have a scope. Wildfowl and waders are the target birds on this outing. See the SOC Where to Watch App for more details. Our next outing is to Carrifran Wildwood owned by Borders Forest Trust which we last visited about 6 years ago. We will meet at the car park at the Loch of the Lowes (NT 236205) at 10am, and car share to Carrifran where the parking is limited.
Weather permitting we will walk to the head of the valley and climb as high as the group wants. Peregrine, wheatear and raven may be heard or seen there. In the part of the valley restocked with native broadleaf trees there is an abundance of passerines as proof of the success of 23 years of native woodland creation. Walking boots and clothes suited to the weather forecast are advised. Bring a packed lunch as we will not return to the cars till mid-afternoon. If the forecast is poor, please contact the club via the WhatsApp group or Facebook in case the outing needs to be cancelled. But let's hope for a grand day like the one we had for our trip to Ettrick Marshes in May. Join us at one of our wildest and most unique locations!We are planning to meet from 9:30am (NT266145). We will car share if necessary to the Ettrick Marshes car park where there is limited parking. The birding may begin here as Ring Ouzel have previously been seen from the picnic benches!
The walk begins by crossing the Ettrick Water into some ancient woodland where many passerines will be encountered, before deviating onto the impressive boardwalks which run over the marshes themselves. Many species of warbler are regularly encountered here including Wood, Grasshopper and Sedge, which were all recorded last year. From here, there is an extensive area of wet woodland – Ettrick Marshes is the last Scottish Borders site where Willow Tit are known to have bred. This outing is for birdwatchers of all abilities and there will be several experienced ones present to help with ID (if required).
Contact Neil Stratton (Branch Secretary) for further information or to let us know you are coming: We are taking part in the Traquair Bioblitz on Sunday 14th May 11am – 5pm - it is a family day for lovers of nature, wildlife and plants. You can join the experts for a day of activities from Fungi walks, heritage tree discovery, pollinator surveys, electric fishing, pond dipping, moth release, talks on red squirrels, badgers and the results of the Bioblitz. Find out more here www.traquair.co.uk/event/traquair-bioblitz/ Keep an eye on our news page for up to the minute word on birds, events and surveys.
Thanks to Richard Jackson for use of his Northern Wheatear picture: perfect for the news page. |
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September 2023
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