Get Involved
|
The Scottish Ornithologists' Club (SOC) was established in March 1936. Our Clyde branch is one of 15 local branches in Scotland. We have an Evening Talks programme from September to April giving our members the opportunity to hear some of Scotland’s top ornithologists and conservationists speak. A full programme of monthly Outings is arranged to some of the best birding sites both locally and sometimes a bit further afield.
Although members are affiliated to their nearest branch of the Club, you’re free to attend talks and outings organised by any of the other branches too. So if you’re going up north for your holidays or working down south for example, do have a look and see if there’s anything on around the time of your visit! Information on the all the branches can be found here. Many of our members are heavily involved in Fieldwork, Surveys and projects and there is ample opportunity to get involved Beginners are very welcome and we can arrange mentoring too. We did some research and have listed other organisations and projects active in the Clyde area below. Please note that the SOC is not responsible for the content of external websites. If you’d like your project or organisation to be added to the list, update your entry or be removed from the list, please Contact us. |
Clyde SOC Members Birdwatching at Ardmore Point © David Palmar
SOC Members at RSPB Scotland Skinflats Reserve © David Palmar
|
A-Z listing of groups / projects active in the Clyde Area
Bat Conservation Trust has two groups in our area – the Clyde Bat Group and the Loch Lomond Bat Group. Both are volunteer-led groups to promote the conservation of bats across the area. They are keen to hear from anyone with an interest in bats. For more information, please contact clydebatgroup@gmail.com and lomondbatgroup@gmail.com
BirdLine Scotland Birdline Scotland provides the most comprehensive and up-to-the-minute information on bird sightings in Scotland. It is run by Angus Murray in cooperation with the SOC. For more details, please email birdlinescot@btconnect.com
Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland
The BSBI is for everyone with an interest in the wild plants of Britain and Ireland. There are many activities, projects and opportunities to learn. For local networks in Renfrewshire, Dunbartonshire and Lanarkshire the contact person is Michael Philip botany@opus44.co.uk
British Dragonfly Society is the voice for dragonflies in Britain, getting involved in a variety of surveys and conservation action, They have an Area Co-ordinator for Central Scotland, Daniele Muir and she can be contacted on Scotland@british-dragonflies.org.uk
British Trust for Ornithology have a very wide variety of projects you can get involved in including Nest Record Scheme, Garden BirdWatch, Wetland Bird Survey, Breeding Bird Survey, Heronries Census, Waterways Breeding Bird Survey, Nesting Neighbours and Garden Wildlife Health. Find out more at https://www.bto.org/how-you-can-help/take-part-project or contact the Regional Rep Gordonbrady@outlook.com
Buglife Scotland has been protecting invertebrates and habitats for over ten years. Through our projects we have engaged with thousands of people from across Scotland to raise awareness of invertebrates and how we can help them https://www.buglife.org.uk/get-involved/near-me/buglife-scotland/
BirdLine Scotland Birdline Scotland provides the most comprehensive and up-to-the-minute information on bird sightings in Scotland. It is run by Angus Murray in cooperation with the SOC. For more details, please email birdlinescot@btconnect.com
Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland
The BSBI is for everyone with an interest in the wild plants of Britain and Ireland. There are many activities, projects and opportunities to learn. For local networks in Renfrewshire, Dunbartonshire and Lanarkshire the contact person is Michael Philip botany@opus44.co.uk
British Dragonfly Society is the voice for dragonflies in Britain, getting involved in a variety of surveys and conservation action, They have an Area Co-ordinator for Central Scotland, Daniele Muir and she can be contacted on Scotland@british-dragonflies.org.uk
British Trust for Ornithology have a very wide variety of projects you can get involved in including Nest Record Scheme, Garden BirdWatch, Wetland Bird Survey, Breeding Bird Survey, Heronries Census, Waterways Breeding Bird Survey, Nesting Neighbours and Garden Wildlife Health. Find out more at https://www.bto.org/how-you-can-help/take-part-project or contact the Regional Rep Gordonbrady@outlook.com
Buglife Scotland has been protecting invertebrates and habitats for over ten years. Through our projects we have engaged with thousands of people from across Scotland to raise awareness of invertebrates and how we can help them https://www.buglife.org.uk/get-involved/near-me/buglife-scotland/
Comma © David Edgar
Butterfly Conservation, Glasgow & SW Scotland branch includes a much bigger area than the Clyde proper and includes Scotland's first National Park - Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park. If you live in the region and are a member of Butterfly Conservation you automatically become a member of the Glasgow & SW Scotland Branch. For more details contact GSWSBC@hotmail.com
Clyde Amphibian and Reptile Group is a volunteer-led group affiliated with ARG-UK working within the Clyde Catchment area (Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, Inverclyde, Glasgow and Dunbartonshire) to conserve and promote amphibians, reptiles and their habitats. For more information, please contact Roger.Downie@glasgow.ac.uk
Clyde Amphibian and Reptile Group is a volunteer-led group affiliated with ARG-UK working within the Clyde Catchment area (Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, Inverclyde, Glasgow and Dunbartonshire) to conserve and promote amphibians, reptiles and their habitats. For more information, please contact Roger.Downie@glasgow.ac.uk
Jack Snipe after ringing © Kevin McCormick
Clyde Ringing Group is a very active group usually ringing more than 10,000 birds annually. There are many different projects ranging from Constant Effort Sites, estimating breeding success and population levels of miscellaneous passerines, migration studies, nest boxes to specialist studies. The latter include colour-ringing, satellite-tagging various species. They are also at the forefront of ringing some species in the UK such as Jack Snipe. CRG members are happy to take people out ringing, singly or in small groups. Please contact Iain Livingstone in the first instance at iainlivcrg@googlemail.com
Discovering Nature on my Doorstep is an exciting new project, based in Glasgow’s Southside and is about engaging youth with nature in a modern, interesting and effective way, See www.dnomd.com
Friends of Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park is a newly formed group with the aim of helping to preserve and enhance Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park. We hope to undertake our objectives by working with the three local authorities and landowners and other organisations with an interest in this landscape. For more details, please contact friendscmrp@aol.com
The Friends of Glasgow’s LNRs aim to help publicise and improve the twelve Local Nature Reserves and other wildlife sites in Glasgow LNRs & Other Sites | Friends of Glasgow's Local Nature Reserves (wordpress.com) The Group would welcome more volunteers to help out with a variety of tasks, such as erecting, cleaning & monitoring their nest boxes around the City. Contact Jim Coyle (leader) at j.coyle13@ntlworld.com for more information.
Friends of the River Kelvin are a group of people who care passionately about the River Kelvin and the environment. We run clean-up, citizen science projects and also music and arts events. We need new members to join us to run activities, run campaigns and help us work with others to protect the River Kelvin for future generations to enjoy https://www.facebook.com/FriendsoftheRiverKelvin/
Discovering Nature on my Doorstep is an exciting new project, based in Glasgow’s Southside and is about engaging youth with nature in a modern, interesting and effective way, See www.dnomd.com
Friends of Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park is a newly formed group with the aim of helping to preserve and enhance Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park. We hope to undertake our objectives by working with the three local authorities and landowners and other organisations with an interest in this landscape. For more details, please contact friendscmrp@aol.com
The Friends of Glasgow’s LNRs aim to help publicise and improve the twelve Local Nature Reserves and other wildlife sites in Glasgow LNRs & Other Sites | Friends of Glasgow's Local Nature Reserves (wordpress.com) The Group would welcome more volunteers to help out with a variety of tasks, such as erecting, cleaning & monitoring their nest boxes around the City. Contact Jim Coyle (leader) at j.coyle13@ntlworld.com for more information.
Friends of the River Kelvin are a group of people who care passionately about the River Kelvin and the environment. We run clean-up, citizen science projects and also music and arts events. We need new members to join us to run activities, run campaigns and help us work with others to protect the River Kelvin for future generations to enjoy https://www.facebook.com/FriendsoftheRiverKelvin/
Frog © Davie Abraham
Froglife is a UK-wide charity working for the conservation of amphibians and reptiles. It has carried out numerous projects in Scotland, especially in the Living Waters programme that improves and creates ponds. It has also carried out work aimed at improving the lives of disadvantaged people through engagement with nature. For more information, consult Froglife’s website, or locally contact Roger.Downie@glasgow.ac.uk
Glasgow National Park City group is working to improve people’s quality of life and the environment equitably through the creation of Glasgow National Park City. They use the familiar idea of a National Park to inspire a shared vision for Glasgow, as a greener, healthier and wilder City for everyone - where people, places and nature are better connected. https://www.glasgownationalparkcity.org/
Glasgow Natural History Society members are a mixture of experts in various fields and enthusiastic amateurs who are keen to learn. Four newsletters and a volume of “The Glasgow Naturalist” are normally published each year. A thriving programme of events including winter talks and Apr-Oct excursions take place every year. See http://www.gnhs.org.uk/meetings.html for further details
Hamilton Natural History Society was formed in 1891 and aims to encourage people to look at and protect their local wildlife in the Clyde Valley area by recording sightings, sharing them and working with other organisations having similar aims. For more information, please contact info@hamiltonhistory.org.uk
Hamiltonhill Claypits LNR Group is a community group that aims to protect and enhance the wildlife on the Claypits nature reserve in the north of Glasgow. Once an industrial hub, there are wooded walks and paths running alongside the Forth and Clyde Canal. We welcome everyone and are always looking for help. Email claypitslnr@gmail.com Website www.claypitslnr.co.uk
Glasgow National Park City group is working to improve people’s quality of life and the environment equitably through the creation of Glasgow National Park City. They use the familiar idea of a National Park to inspire a shared vision for Glasgow, as a greener, healthier and wilder City for everyone - where people, places and nature are better connected. https://www.glasgownationalparkcity.org/
Glasgow Natural History Society members are a mixture of experts in various fields and enthusiastic amateurs who are keen to learn. Four newsletters and a volume of “The Glasgow Naturalist” are normally published each year. A thriving programme of events including winter talks and Apr-Oct excursions take place every year. See http://www.gnhs.org.uk/meetings.html for further details
Hamilton Natural History Society was formed in 1891 and aims to encourage people to look at and protect their local wildlife in the Clyde Valley area by recording sightings, sharing them and working with other organisations having similar aims. For more information, please contact info@hamiltonhistory.org.uk
Hamiltonhill Claypits LNR Group is a community group that aims to protect and enhance the wildlife on the Claypits nature reserve in the north of Glasgow. Once an industrial hub, there are wooded walks and paths running alongside the Forth and Clyde Canal. We welcome everyone and are always looking for help. Email claypitslnr@gmail.com Website www.claypitslnr.co.uk
Barn Owls rescued by Hessilhead © Hessilhead
Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue Centre is situated near Beith in North Ayrshire and cares for Scotland’s injured and orphaned wildlife. The Centre operates a 24-hour emergency service and is available to give advice on wildlife problems throughout the day. It aims to rescue, treat, rehabilitate and release wildlife back to the wild. They are very dependent on volunteers http://www.hessilheadwildlife.org.uk/volunteering.htm
Linn Park Nest Box Monitoring We have over 60 bird boxes in Linn Park and a team of volunteers to check them. All data is sent to the BTO as part of their Nest Record Scheme. Boxes are checked about once a week. Other natural nests found will also be monitored. We supply endoscope cameras for monitoring and run a taster session so you can see if it's something you would be interested in. Birds from nest boxes and natural nest sites will be ringed by the Clyde Ringing Group. Contact - mike15sinclair@gmail.com
Lochwinnoch Force For Nature Passionate about Lochwinnoch’s nature, we are local people working together to promote our rich fauna and flora. Our membership includes experts who are keen to share their knowledge of birds, wildflowers, butterflies etc on guided walks and other events to all who are interested. We participate in practical projects to support and record our local nature. For more information please contact lochwinnochffn@gmail.com
Nature Library is a reference library and reading space connecting people to land, sky and sea. Popping up in public spaces across Scotland, its travelling shelves hold many branches of nature writing from the classic to the contemporary, fiction and non-fiction, memoir, poetry and children’s books. More information can be found at https://www.thenaturelibrary.com/
Paisley Natural History Society exists to encourage the study of natural history in Renfrewshire, to support conservation in Renfrewshire and to maintain links with the Natural History department of Paisley Museum. More information can be found here.
Raptor Patch is a Scottish Raptor Monitoring Scheme survey to help generate additional information on the more abundant, but under-recorded raptor species in Scotland. You do not need to already know lots about raptors or raptor monitoring to be able to take part in Raptor Patch. For more information see https://raptormonitoring.org/getting-involved/raptor-patch
Renfrew White Cart Riverbank Nature Spot group is working to return the White Cart riverbank to its natural beauty. Volunteers keep paths clear, litter-pick, create art installations, create places for children to use, etc. They have seen a vast reduction in antisocial behaviour since they started taking care of the area https://www.facebook.com/WhiteCartNatureSpot
RSPB Local Groups are a great way to meet friendly, like-minded people in your area while learning more about birds and wildlife. They run monthly talks (September to May), excursions, etc. In our area, there are groups based in Lanarkshire, Glasgow and Renfrewshire. For more information, please contact leaderlanarkshirerspbgroup@gmail.com or RSPBglasgowgroupleader@gmail.com or renfrewrspb@hotmail.co.uk
Linn Park Nest Box Monitoring We have over 60 bird boxes in Linn Park and a team of volunteers to check them. All data is sent to the BTO as part of their Nest Record Scheme. Boxes are checked about once a week. Other natural nests found will also be monitored. We supply endoscope cameras for monitoring and run a taster session so you can see if it's something you would be interested in. Birds from nest boxes and natural nest sites will be ringed by the Clyde Ringing Group. Contact - mike15sinclair@gmail.com
Lochwinnoch Force For Nature Passionate about Lochwinnoch’s nature, we are local people working together to promote our rich fauna and flora. Our membership includes experts who are keen to share their knowledge of birds, wildflowers, butterflies etc on guided walks and other events to all who are interested. We participate in practical projects to support and record our local nature. For more information please contact lochwinnochffn@gmail.com
Nature Library is a reference library and reading space connecting people to land, sky and sea. Popping up in public spaces across Scotland, its travelling shelves hold many branches of nature writing from the classic to the contemporary, fiction and non-fiction, memoir, poetry and children’s books. More information can be found at https://www.thenaturelibrary.com/
Paisley Natural History Society exists to encourage the study of natural history in Renfrewshire, to support conservation in Renfrewshire and to maintain links with the Natural History department of Paisley Museum. More information can be found here.
Raptor Patch is a Scottish Raptor Monitoring Scheme survey to help generate additional information on the more abundant, but under-recorded raptor species in Scotland. You do not need to already know lots about raptors or raptor monitoring to be able to take part in Raptor Patch. For more information see https://raptormonitoring.org/getting-involved/raptor-patch
Renfrew White Cart Riverbank Nature Spot group is working to return the White Cart riverbank to its natural beauty. Volunteers keep paths clear, litter-pick, create art installations, create places for children to use, etc. They have seen a vast reduction in antisocial behaviour since they started taking care of the area https://www.facebook.com/WhiteCartNatureSpot
RSPB Local Groups are a great way to meet friendly, like-minded people in your area while learning more about birds and wildlife. They run monthly talks (September to May), excursions, etc. In our area, there are groups based in Lanarkshire, Glasgow and Renfrewshire. For more information, please contact leaderlanarkshirerspbgroup@gmail.com or RSPBglasgowgroupleader@gmail.com or renfrewrspb@hotmail.co.uk
Badger © Davie Abraham
Scottish Badgers aim to promote the study, conservation and protection of badgers, their setts and natural habitat in Scotland. It has three local branches in our area – Glasgow, North Lanarkshire and South Lanarkshire More information at https://www.scottishbadgers.org.uk/
Scottish Wildlife Trust has two local members’ groups in the Clyde area: The Glasgow Group meets once per month during the winter and also organises a programme of excursions during the spring and summer months. The Clarkston and East Kilbride Group meet in the winter months too. More details of these groups and the latest information can be found on these sites: Glasgow, and Clarkston and East Kilbride
The Conservation Volunteers bring people together to have fun, get fit, learn new skills and help the local environment. They produce nature-based activity packs, how-to guides and videos for all ages. For more, see https://www.tcv.org.uk/
The Lost Woods is a Glasgow-based project designed to inspire, educate and empower children about their environment. For more information, see https://www.thelostwoods.earth/
Urban Roots is a community led environmental charity working across the Southside of Glasgow. They empower local people to make choices and lifestyle changes that are beneficial for them, their communities and the environment. For more information, see https://www.urbanroots.org.uk/
Volunteer Seabirds at Sea (VSAS) is a project run by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) in partnership with Calmac Ferries. The VSAS surveys form part of the Calmac Ferries Marine Awareness Programme which aims to increase awareness of marine biodiversity conservation. Volunteer surveyors collect seabird data based on the European Seabirds at Sea (ESAS) method. Find out more about the project, training and how to get involved here.
Scottish Wildlife Trust has two local members’ groups in the Clyde area: The Glasgow Group meets once per month during the winter and also organises a programme of excursions during the spring and summer months. The Clarkston and East Kilbride Group meet in the winter months too. More details of these groups and the latest information can be found on these sites: Glasgow, and Clarkston and East Kilbride
The Conservation Volunteers bring people together to have fun, get fit, learn new skills and help the local environment. They produce nature-based activity packs, how-to guides and videos for all ages. For more, see https://www.tcv.org.uk/
The Lost Woods is a Glasgow-based project designed to inspire, educate and empower children about their environment. For more information, see https://www.thelostwoods.earth/
Urban Roots is a community led environmental charity working across the Southside of Glasgow. They empower local people to make choices and lifestyle changes that are beneficial for them, their communities and the environment. For more information, see https://www.urbanroots.org.uk/
Volunteer Seabirds at Sea (VSAS) is a project run by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) in partnership with Calmac Ferries. The VSAS surveys form part of the Calmac Ferries Marine Awareness Programme which aims to increase awareness of marine biodiversity conservation. Volunteer surveyors collect seabird data based on the European Seabirds at Sea (ESAS) method. Find out more about the project, training and how to get involved here.