Next 'in-person' Talk:
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Spring with the Midlothian Dippers
A talk with Rachel Steenson Monday 13th April 2026 (note date change)
7.00pm |
Dipper © Catherine Cochrane
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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 - Spring with the Midlothian Dippers
White-throated Dippers are an iconic and highly specialised river bird. Historically, Dippers have been negatively affected by processes such as acidification, but despite improvements to air and water quality in the early 1980s, populations have been in steady decline since around 1987. The cause is not clear, but is likely a combination of factors that affect life stages differently. This talk will follow the journey of monitoring these magnificent birds through their breeding season in Midlothian, exploring how breeding success is affected by the world around them.
Speaker - Rachel Steenson
Rachel did her PhD at the University of Stirling, researching how riverine birds respond to environmental stressors. Around work, she’s a BTO C-ringer, monitors birds at multiple sites, and can be spotted exploring Scotland by bike.
White-throated Dippers are an iconic and highly specialised river bird. Historically, Dippers have been negatively affected by processes such as acidification, but despite improvements to air and water quality in the early 1980s, populations have been in steady decline since around 1987. The cause is not clear, but is likely a combination of factors that affect life stages differently. This talk will follow the journey of monitoring these magnificent birds through their breeding season in Midlothian, exploring how breeding success is affected by the world around them.
Speaker - Rachel Steenson
Rachel did her PhD at the University of Stirling, researching how riverine birds respond to environmental stressors. Around work, she’s a BTO C-ringer, monitors birds at multiple sites, and can be spotted exploring Scotland by bike.
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]