ALL INDOOR MEETINGS FOR THIS SEASON WILL ONCE AGAIN BE HELD IN THE ARGYLE CENTRE, CAMPBELL AVENUE, SALTCOATS and will start at 7.30pm sharp. Click the map below to show the location of the centre and the entrances to the car park.

The next meeting of the 2009/2010 season is on Friday 12th February 2010 at 7.30pm when an illustrated talk will be given by John Calladine on Hawfinches in Perthshire. This talk has been rescheduled from our cancelled meeting in January. Duncan Watt's talk on Hen Harriers will take place at a later date.

In March 2009, RSPB Scotland acquired a new reserve at Irvine, North Ayrshire with the support of SNH. The 19 ha site forms part of the Bogside Flats SSSI, designated for its saltmarsh and mudflat habitats and is the area between the railway and the River Irvine, behind the old Ayrshire Metals Factory. The reserve is mainly grazed floodplain within a flood defence bund although there is also a small area of saltmarsh. The rough grassland is used as a foraging area by hen harrier and short-eared owl and the site provides a roost site for wintering wildfowl and waders.

This reserve is located within the Irvine Bay Urban Regeneration Area. This area has historically come under considerable development pressure, which continues today with ongoing pressure for new housing, industry and tourism development. Management by RSPB Scotland will ensure this area of the SSSI is protected from damaging development.