Talks
We're delighted to share details of the meetings season (September 2024 - April 2025) for members to enjoy. This year's programme will be a held as a hybrid (online/in-person) programme.
More information about each meeting will be emailed to members around a week in advance of the event. To receive these emails (including Zoom joining instructions and workshop booking information, where applicable), you must be signed up to the Branch News & Events - Talks & Workshops mailing list.
When:
Online talks are held at 7.30pm; in-person talks are held at 2.30pm except 12 Sep (7.30pm)
Thu 12 Sep
Crystal Maw – Ailsa Craig adventures and seabird shenanigans; monitoring wildlife on Paddy’s milestone (7.30pm)
Wed 18 Sep
Jonathan Meiburg – The Caracaras would like to meet you: introducing the world’s smartest and strangest birds of prey (online, 7.30pm)
Thu 10 Oct
Larry Griffin – Hidden in plain sight: revealing the intricate lives of a lesser loved goose, the Greylag (2.30pm)
Wed 16 Oct
Dave Parish, NatureScot – Stepping up efforts to save Scotland’s critically endangered Chough (online, 7.30pm)
Thu 14 Nov
Gavin Ross, NWCU – National Wildlife Crime Unit investigations (2.30pm)
Wed 20 Nov
Ian Thomson, RSPB – Ending raptor persecution on Scotland’s grouse moors? (online, 7.30pm)
Thu 5 Dec
Peter Jordan – A birder’s journey through South Texas (2.30pm)
Dates for January-April 2025 will be announced in due course.
Contact:
Joan Howie
01644 420 280
Venue for indoor meetings:
Village Hall, Balmaclellan DG7 3QE (two miles east of New Galloway - click here for a map of the surrounding area)
Outings
Due to our unpredictable Galloway weather members should always check the day before to confirm that the outing is taking place as planned. If an outing is cancelled it is always hoped to arrange an alternative date. Lifts can sometimes be possible if you let the Secretary know in good time. We would especially like to welcome beginners on these outings. See below for Secretary contact details.
Details of excursions will be sent to SOC Stewartry branch members by email, if you have signed up for these (or click here if you haven't already done so).
As Stewartry is such a large area it is always the aim to try to split the destinations of the Outings evenly between the west and the east of the region. No Outings are planned for July and August because in past years members have either been on holiday or entertaining their family but if any member would like an Outing to somewhere special in July or August please get in touch - and the same applies to November and December.
Mon 9 Sep
Wigtown Harbour and Crook of Baldoon RSPB Reserve.
Mon 28 Oct
Wigtown coast Stairhaven to Monreith (and Isle of Whithorn and Garlieston Harbours if we have time)
Should the weather outlook be bad for the fixed date the Outing would then be moved to the next day. If this too should be impossible the Outing would then be cancelled . However should a number of members be keen to go to a venue it should be possible to fix another date.
Contact:
Joan Howie on 01644 420 280 or send Joan an email
Branch Committee
Secretary/Joint Treasurer:
Joan Howie, The Wilderness, High Street, New Galloway, Castle Douglas, DG7 3RL, tel 01644 420280
Chair and representative of the branch on SOC Council:
Paul Tarling
Vice-chair:
(Position vacant)
Joint Treasurer:
Peter Swan
Committee members:
David Henshilwood, Jon Warren
Dumfries and Galloway recorder:
Gavin Chambers and Alyn Chambers, dgrecorder@gmail.com
Other Information
Talks and outings reminders:
Members who've consented to Local Branch news and events e-communications from SOC, are sent a reminder about forthcoming talks (with more information on the speaker and subject where possible), usually a week or so in advance of the meeting. A similar reminder service operates for outings. If you don’t already receive these alerts and would like to, please make sure you've completed a Mailing List Consent Form to allow the Club to contact you. If you've already completed a form, check your junk/spam/clutter folders to make sure our emails aren't landing there. Still nothing? Contact Headquarters as we may not have a correct or up to date email address on file for you.
Birdwatching in Dumfries and Galloway:
Click here for a list of recommended sites to visit and to download a free, full-colour birdwatching guide produced by D&G Council Ranger Service.
Bird recording in Stewartry:
Visit the Dumfries & Galloway recording area page for details of the latest bird report, back issues, species considered locally and for Local Recorder contact information.
