On our outdoor trips, the aim is not just to see the largest number of birds, but to find and watch and enjoy. We think the pleasure comes from birdwatching with like-minded people, learning identification skills, enjoying the splendid sights and taking delighted in the unexpected find. If this whets your appetite and you feel you would enjoy these field trips, then you’d be most welcome to come along.
Due to uncertainty of ongoing Covid restrictions, car sharing may not be possible. Those wishing to participate on outings must contact the leader of te day to register. Time and place of meet will then be given. Otherwise, email Mary Galloway or phone 07598 320978. Weekend excursions are full day, Thursdays are usually mornings only.
2022
Thur Jan 27 Weekday Birding (Alister Clunas - alister53@hotmail.co.uk )
Sat Feb 5 Strathspey (John Poyner – highlandrecorder@yahoo.com)
Thur Feb 10 Nairn River (Jon Clarke – jonathan83clarke@yahoo.com)
Sat Mar 5 North East (Galloways – galloway09.mg@gmail.com)
Thur Mar 17 The Loch District South of Inverness (Alex Joss – ejoss99@btinternet.com )
Sun April 17 Lochaber Outing (Tony Laidler and Carol Miller) laidlertony66@gmail.com
carol.miller1230@outlook.com
Thur April 21 Whiteness Head (Jon Clarke – see above))
Sat May 7 Gairloch and Poolewe (Tracy McLachlan and Carol Miller) carol.miller1230@outlook.com
Thu May 19 Evening Arabella Woodlands, Hill of Fortrose (Galloways – see above)
BYO supper
Highland SOC Outing Saturday 15th January 2022
BIRD RACE
Get your 2022 bird list off to a great start by taking part in our bird race on Saturday 15th January 2022. Just a bit of fun and definitely NOT competitive with the short day length making it all the more exciting!
The object of the day is to go out birding – with a friend or friends – and try to find as many different species as you can. It is up to you and your team to decide if you drive, who will drive and where you will go – so long as you stay in Highland recording area. You could always decide to walk or cycle around your local area and not use the car at all.
We usually gather at the end of the day for a post-race get together in a pub, but this year we have excitingly decided to have a virtual get together at 7.30pm over ZOOM! We can ‘meet’ in the comfort and safety of your own home, chat about how your day has been and reveal some winners. It will be great to have groups taking part from all over the Highland recording area – maybe with teams from Skye, Lochaber, W Ross, Outer Isles, Rum, Eigg, Sutherland, Strathspey and so on.
A special ‘What’s App’ messaging group will be set up for the day so we can all keep in touch with our latest ‘finds’.
Unfortunately………we have to have a few RULES……..
- Teams of up to 4 (4 maximum, 2 minimum).
- In order to encourage some younger people to take part, if your team includes a member less than 30 years old, then you automatically gain 3 extra points!
- Race duration – anytime from 0000hrs to 1630hrs (daylight is officially about 0850 to 1606 – 7hours - so it is up to you to choose how long you spend birdwatching).
- Team members must stay together if birding.
- At least 2 of the team members must see/hear each bird species to count it.
- When you register, I will email you a winter checklist to record species seen/heard during the race.
- No tape luring allowed.
- When a bird is identified to family but not to species level, it can in some cases still be a tick – e.g. a distant auk that might be Guillemot or Razorbill, can be ticked as ‘Auk sp.’, although neither Guillemot nor Razorbill can be subsequently ticked in addition.
- Bird lists must be submitted by phone or email to Carol by 1700hrs.
- Please register teams with Carol Miller by 6pm on Friday 14th January giving a mobile contact number.
- Please feel free to contact me if you have any queries.
- Carol’s email address is carol.miller1230@outlook.com
- Mobile phone number 07901228737
- Persons take part in the bird race at their own risk.
- If you are mixing outwith your household, please take a LFT prior to the event and adhere to covid safety measures
