News

ABC FACEBOOK GROUP ( https://www.facebook.com/groups/1913276852095925/about/ )

A Facebook group has been set up appeal to members and others who like to use this media. Please share your photos, video clips, ask for ID advice or share an experience with the group!

ARGYLL BIRD REPORT Volume 35 – with Systematic List for the year 2023. Published on 21 Feb 2024 and available for download by subscribed Argyll Bird Club members.
ARGYLL BIRD REPORT Volume 34 – with Systematic List for the year 2022. This report is now available as a full colour PDF for  download see under ‘Publications’.

AVIAN INFLUENZA (BIRD FLU) – FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE LINKS BELOW

https://www.gov.scot/publications/avian-influenza-bird-flu/pages/dead-or-sick-wild-birds-what-to-do/
https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/advice/how-you-can-help-birds/disease-and-garden-wildlife/avian-influenza-updates/

FORTHCOMING FIELD TRIPS AND MEETINGS – Reviewed 28/02/24:

If there is a chance that adverse weather might lead to the cancellation of a field trip, please check this page of the website or contact the organiser the night before or in good time prior to setting off. Please wear suitable footwear and bring waterproof clothing if rain is forecast.

FIELD TRIPS 2024

Field trips are currently limited to 15 participants so it is essential that you contact the leader of a trip beforehand to make sure a place is available.
If there is a chance that adverse weather might lead to the cancellation of a field trip, please check this page or contact the organiser the night before or prior to setting off. Please wear suitable footwear and bring waterproof clothing if rain is forecast.
There will be a risk assessment and safety briefing at the start of each field trip.

Saturday 30 March 2024. Carskey Bay and South End (Kintyre). Led by David Jardine (). An outing to a new venue for the club, to almost the most southerly part of Argyll. It will involve a series of short (up to 2km) walks. Please contact David if you wish to attend.

Saturday 27 April 2024. Sound of Gigha. Led by Nigel Scriven (mobile phone , e-mail ). Meet at Ronachan Point Car Park on the A83 (grid ref. NR741548) at 10.00hrs. We will catch the ferry to Gigha if the weather is suitable. Light lunches will be available at the hotel on the island. The trip will include several short walks  (each 300m maximum) on level ground, but a longer walk to Achamore Gardens on Gigha is possible.

Saturday 25 May 2024. Taynish NNR, Ulva Lagoon & Loch na Cille. Led by Jim Dickson (e-mail phone ). Meet Jim beyond Tayvallich at the Taynish Car Park (just south of Lochan Taynish at NR737852) at 10.00hrs. The car park has recently been extended. The trip around the reserve involves walking along uneven ground, involves steps and just over 4km, therefore perhaps unsuitable for folk with mobility problems. Please bring your own lunch.

Saturday 29 June 2024. Toward and south Loch Striven. Led by Alistair McGregor (e-mail mobile phone ). Please contact Alistair if you want to go on this trip, to make sure there are places available and to receive rendezvous details. There will be three short walks of about 1km each along a mix of shore and track, suitable foot-wear is advised. Please bring your own packed lunch.

Please bear in mind that the situation can change quickly, so please check this page for updates.

INDOOR MEETINGS 2024

Spring Meeting 2024. Saturday 9 March. The meeting will be held at St Mun’s Church Hall, Dunoon.

Autumn Meeting & AGM 2024. Saturday 2 November. We were planning to hold this meeting at the Cairnbaan Hotel, our usual venue for the autumn meeting. However, the hotel is currently closed, so we are looking at alternative venues. Further details will be provided in the June Eider.

Should you be interested in giving a talk at an indoor meeting for a possible Autumn 2024/Spring 2025 season, please contact David Jardine (phone . Further details will be provided on this page, the Club’s Facebook page and via email to Club members.

https://www.the-soc.org.uk/files/docs/SOCZoomGuideforMembers.pdf

Additional details of how to join our online meetings (including a weblink) will be sent to members by email just before each meeting. If you aren’t yet a member please join

FUNDING FOR BIRD CONSERVATION PROJECTS IN ARGYLL

The ABC is willing to fund or part fund worthwhile bird conservation projects in Argyll. For example, help was given towards the costs of field work for the recent Seabird Monitoring Programme (seabird counts 2015-2019). More recently the club has helped to fund the provision of nest boxes for Grey Wagtails and Dippers in Kintyre and nest boxes for Swifts. Applications for funding should be submitted to the Secretary –