Gathering should have birdwatchers flocking in

BIRDWATCHERS from around Scotland will gather in Birnam today for one of the highlights of the birding year.

More than 150 people are due to attend the Scottish Birdwatchers’ Conference, organised by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) Scotland and the Tayside branch of the Scottish Ornithologists’ Club (Soc).

Grouse in flight (Picture: Phil Wilkinson)

Meanwhile, Scotsman readers will be out in force today in their gardens and the countryside as our Wildlife Watch continues.

The latest round of our quarterly nature survey, which began yesterday and concludes on Monday, has already provided a host of interesting sightings.

For the first time, readers can also send in their wildlife videos, with a selection being posted at www.scotsman.com/wildlife

All readers’ photographs and sightings from Wildlife Watch – which is supported by the Scottish Wildlife Trust – will be passed on to Biological Recording in Scotland (Brisc).

Brisc will distribute the notes to its network of biological recording centres and local recorders, and the details may be used in conservation work.

In Birnam, birders are gathering to hear from Sir John Lister-Kaye, author of Song of the Rolling Earth and founder of the Aigas Field Centre at Beauly, near Inverness. The event’s theme is “Birds of Moor and Mountain”.

Other speakers include Alan Stewart, a wildlife and environment officer at Tayside Police, and Suki Fleming, Tayside and Fife conservation officer with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

Discussions will include how best to conserve sites for black grouse leks and how to record the number of ptarmigan on Scotland’s highest peaks.

Chris Waltho, president of the Soc, said: “The conference is an opportunity to take national or international messages into different parts of Scotland.

“Although there are elements of the programme that are specific to Perthshire, there’s lots that will appeal to birdwatchers in all Scotland’s upland areas.”

Jacqui Kaye, BTO Scotland’s development co-ordinator, said: “I think this year’s theme has captured people’s imagination – the uplands are often in people’s minds as we talk about climate change. It’s an important habitat, where many of our most exciting species live.”

She added: “The conference demonstrates the significance of the work done by volunteers in Scotland.”

The importance of volunteers is illustrated in the Biodiversity in Glasgow project, which aims to survey the birds and butterflies in Scotland’s largest city.

Run by BTO Scotland and Butterfly Conservation Scotland, the two-year project is still recruiting volunteers.

Training days will be held at Pollok Country Park to help volunteers spot birds (29 March) and butterflies (26 April) and hone their survey skills.

Anyone keen to take part in the project should call BTO Scotland on 01786 466560 or e-mail: [e-mail]

HOW TO JOIN IN WILDLIFE WATCH

To be useful, records should include: the name of the species; where it was seen (including a six-figure grid-reference or postcode); your name; and your contact details. Photographs can help to identify mystery species.

E-mail your records to or post them to: Wildlife Watch, 108 Holyrood Rd, Edinburgh, EH8 8AS.

Full details about Wildlife Watch and how to take part can be found at www.scotsman.com/wildlifewatch