Scottish Birdwatchers' Conference 2025

Presenter

Steve Willis, Ben Darvill, Chris Wernham

Date

Saturday, March 15, 2025 - 09:00 to 17:00

Places

Fully booked

Scotland's annual spring conference, in partnership with the SOC: Highlights from the Highlands

This is a one-day conference in Inverness organised by BTO Scotland, the SOC and the SOC's Highland branch. Join us for a range of fascinating talks, designed to be interesting and relevant to both local attendees and those joining from further afield.

The charge for the conference is £40 per person*, and includes registration, teas/coffees and a buffet lunch. A limited number of discounted places are available to under 30s and students, priced at £20.

*NOTE: we recognise that the cost of living is making things difficult for many people. If the full cost of attending would be prohibitive for you, please get in touch as we would be happy to offer a reduced rate, regardless of your age.

Booking is essential - we cannot accept payment on the door.

Programme:

Saturday 15 March

Topics and speakers:

• Species (that may be) on the edge — long-term montane bird monitoring at Mar Lodge Estate.
  Shaila Rao (Conservation Manager, Mar Lodge Estate).
   
• Tackling the challenges of surveying upland birds.
  Steve Willis (BTO Scotland).
   
• The fall and rise of Golden Eagles in the Highlands.
  Stuart Benn (Highland Raptor Study Group).
   
• Breeding Slavonian Grebes: do they have a future in Scotland?
  Alison Philip and Dr Steven Ewing (RSPB Scotland).
   
• Capercaillie conservation in Scotland: results and implications of diversionary feeding studies.
  Jack Bamber (University of Aberdeen).
   
• Getting started in birding in Scotland: from a young person's perspective.
  Scottish Bird Camp attendees.
   
• Birds of the Flow Country World Heritage Site.
  Rob Hughes (RSPB Scotland).
   
• What we now know about Curlews in the Moray Firth.
  Ron Summers.
   
• Understanding dispersal and origins of Scotland’s Kittiwakes.
  Chloe Cargill (University of Aberdeen).

Sunday 16 March
From 0900
Organised morning excursions to local birding hotspots, with our first ever walk for young birders. Full details, including how to sign up, will be circulated to attendees nearer the time.