Next 'in-person' Talk:
Tree Sparrow © Ania Owsianka
|
East Renfrewshire’s Tree Sparrows -
back from the brink: a community success story A talk with Kevin Sinclair Monday 6th October 2025
7.00pm |
This is the next of our in-person meetings for the 2025/26 season and will be held in:
Partick Burgh Hall, 9 Burgh Hall Street, Partick, Glasgow G11 5LW at 7pm. See below for further details about the venue.
Talk Subject - East Renfrewshire’s Tree Sparrows - back from the brink: a community success story
Started in the spring of 2022, the Flenders Farm Tree Sparrow Project began as a nestbox initiative to support and better understand the
dwindling population (single figure sightings) in the area. In just over three years the local population has increased substantially with hundreds
of birds (pulli and adults) now ringed (nearly 200 in 2025 alone) their behaviours and movements much better understood and a highly engaged
local community. In addition to covering the initial project set-up, challenges, funding and day-today delivery, the talk will also examine in
detail what has been learned about Tree Sparrow behaviours, site fidelity and movements, drawing on information obtained from sightings by
the public, trail-cam footage and bird recaptures from mist netting. The importance of community engagement in supporting and sustaining the
project practically and financially (£1,000 rained annually) will be highlighted.
Follow-on benefits arising from the project will also be explored including the establishment of satellite nestbox projects and a Scottish 1st (non-
Tree Sparrow) ringing recovery.
Speaker - Kevin Sinclair
Initially trained as a scientist, Kevin’s career involved lengthy periods in Higher Education and industry where he worked primarily in the areas of waste
management, sustainability and as a management systems auditor. A lifelong wildlife enthusiast, he has been ringing with the Clyde Ringing Group
(CRG) since 2018 and has also been involved in a voluntary capacity with the Clarkston and East Kilbride Branch of the Scottish Wildlife Trust and
Friends of Linn Park where he had spells as Chair of both Groups.
Having taken early retirement, Kevin now devotes much of his time to ringing with CRG as well as doing outreach work with local community groups
to promote better understanding of wildlife through demonstrations and wildlife recording. A resident in Glasgow’s southside for over 35 years, he was
inspired to set up the Flenders Farm Tree Sparrow project in 2022, following the establishment of another nestbox project in the north of Glasgow by
Paul Baker a CRG colleague. A long-time love of heavy rock music has dulled his ability to enjoy birdsong as well as his judgement as he continues to
enjoy supporting Motherwell FC!
Started in the spring of 2022, the Flenders Farm Tree Sparrow Project began as a nestbox initiative to support and better understand the
dwindling population (single figure sightings) in the area. In just over three years the local population has increased substantially with hundreds
of birds (pulli and adults) now ringed (nearly 200 in 2025 alone) their behaviours and movements much better understood and a highly engaged
local community. In addition to covering the initial project set-up, challenges, funding and day-today delivery, the talk will also examine in
detail what has been learned about Tree Sparrow behaviours, site fidelity and movements, drawing on information obtained from sightings by
the public, trail-cam footage and bird recaptures from mist netting. The importance of community engagement in supporting and sustaining the
project practically and financially (£1,000 rained annually) will be highlighted.
Follow-on benefits arising from the project will also be explored including the establishment of satellite nestbox projects and a Scottish 1st (non-
Tree Sparrow) ringing recovery.
Speaker - Kevin Sinclair
Initially trained as a scientist, Kevin’s career involved lengthy periods in Higher Education and industry where he worked primarily in the areas of waste
management, sustainability and as a management systems auditor. A lifelong wildlife enthusiast, he has been ringing with the Clyde Ringing Group
(CRG) since 2018 and has also been involved in a voluntary capacity with the Clarkston and East Kilbride Branch of the Scottish Wildlife Trust and
Friends of Linn Park where he had spells as Chair of both Groups.
Having taken early retirement, Kevin now devotes much of his time to ringing with CRG as well as doing outreach work with local community groups
to promote better understanding of wildlife through demonstrations and wildlife recording. A resident in Glasgow’s southside for over 35 years, he was
inspired to set up the Flenders Farm Tree Sparrow project in 2022, following the establishment of another nestbox project in the north of Glasgow by
Paul Baker a CRG colleague. A long-time love of heavy rock music has dulled his ability to enjoy birdsong as well as his judgement as he continues to
enjoy supporting Motherwell FC!
The Venue - Partick Burgh Hall @ 7pm
This is near Partick bus, underground and train station (see link for map). Car parking should be available in the adjacent streets e.g. Burgh Hall Street, Peel Street and Fortrose Street once the parking regulation hours have passed (currently after 6pm).
To cover the hall hire, we charge an entrance fee of £3 min. There will be no additional charge for the tea, coffee, and biscuits. The fee will be reduced to £1 for students and for others at the discretion of the committee. It would be very helpful if you could bring with you the exact change. We do not have any debit card handling facility.
If you know you do not receive branch notices but would like to, you can sign up here. Click to join the SOC .
Rebecca Dickson
Clyde Branch Secretary
[email protected]
This is near Partick bus, underground and train station (see link for map). Car parking should be available in the adjacent streets e.g. Burgh Hall Street, Peel Street and Fortrose Street once the parking regulation hours have passed (currently after 6pm).
To cover the hall hire, we charge an entrance fee of £3 min. There will be no additional charge for the tea, coffee, and biscuits. The fee will be reduced to £1 for students and for others at the discretion of the committee. It would be very helpful if you could bring with you the exact change. We do not have any debit card handling facility.
If you know you do not receive branch notices but would like to, you can sign up here. Click to join the SOC .
Rebecca Dickson
Clyde Branch Secretary
[email protected]