LOCAL birders are looking forward to talks as diverse as conservation in Indonesia to the progress of a local bird atlas.
Borders supporters of the RSPB will see HD footage of feathered friends in Roslin Glen accompanying a talk by Midlothian amateur wildlife film-maker and photographer Neil Grubb on January 16 in Melrose.
The Borders’ Ray Murray will be updating enthusiasts on the progress of the Borders Bird Atlas after four years of volunteer work looking at what birds are where in the region. The Eddleston supporter’s talk is also in Melrose on February 15.
The RSPB’s community marketing manager for Scotland, Jean Burns, will give an illustrated talk about the endangered Harapan rainforest in Sumatra, Indonesia in Bowden Village Hall on March 21. The charity, along with BirdLife International and the Burung Indonesia conservation group, is running what it describes as one of the world’s most innovative rainforest conservation projects to regenerate the area under threat from logging.
The local branch’s AGM takes place in Melrose’s Corn Exchange on April 18 when there will be an update by local RSPB officer, Mike Fraser and a report on the charity’s work at Woodside Gardens near Jedburgh, where a ongoing joint effort started earlier this year between the gardens and the charity is creating a pond and wildlife-friendly garden.
The RSPB Scottish Borders group runs the indoors talks from September to May, fundraises to support RSPB projects and raises awareness of the charity in the region.
For more information visit www.rspb.org.uk/localgroups and look for Scottish Borders or contact group leader John Marshall on 01896 850564 or ncmandjrm@btinternet.com