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Who We Are

The Shropshire Ornithological Society (SOS) was formed in 1955 with the aims of encouraging the study and protection of birds in Shropshire and elsewhere,  organising a wide range of activities and producing publications to this end, and co-operating with other bodies with similar aims.  This website serves the needs of the branch of the Society in Church Stretton.  All members of the SOS (and non-members) are welcome to take part in branch activities as well as the activities of the main Society.

Breaking News 

  • Would you like to be involved in a new Willow Tit survey in southern Shropshire? If so, go to the SOS website and look under “Breaking News” on the home page to read about the survey and how to get involved.

Meetings

Indoor meetings are held from October to March (excluding December) on the fourth Monday of the month. The venue is The Methodist Church Hall, Watling Street, Church Stretton [MAP] and meetings commence at 7:30 p.m., although doors generally open around 7:00. The postcode for the hall location is SY6 7BG. Admission is free to members: non-members are very welcome (admission £3, including refreshments).

Indoor Meeting Programme, 2024-25

Indoor meetings are now over for the 2023-24 season but a new set of talks will begin for 2024-25 in the autumn. Join us then!

  • Monday, October 28th, 2024 – “Shropshire’s Peregrines” by Jim Almond. Please note – the presenter and topic of this meeting has been changed since initial publication of this list.
  • Monday, November 25th, 2024 – “A Focus on Birds” by Nigel Spencer.
  • Monday, January 27th, 2025 –  “Caring for God’s Acre” by Harriet Carty.
  • Monday, Febuary 24th, 2025 -“Dragons and Demons: a journey through the Wild Mayan Heartland“ by Ben Waddams.
  • Monday, March 24th, 2025 – “Magic Moments” by Allan Heath.
  • Monday, October 27th, 2025 – “Far North, Far South” by Nigel Spencer.
  • Monday, November 24th, 2025 –  “Secret Wildlife of the Cairngorms” by Nick Martin.

Other Branch Activities

The Branch works with the Strettons Area Community Wildlife Group (SACWG) and National Trust to count Red Grouse on the Long Mynd in April and May, and with SACWG to undertake a breeding season survey of Curlew, Lapwing and other target species between March and July. Both are suitable for birders at all levels.

Reports of both surveys will be sent to participants later in the year, and will be available through the website.

The Branch also supports the Strettons area Save our Curlews campaign: select this link for details.

SOS (Church Stretton) and SOS Membership Email Lists

We would like to compile a list of email addresses of SOS members in the Church Stretton area and those who attend our meetings (whether members or not) in order to send out event reminders and to warn you of cancellations and changes.  If you would like to be included on this list, please send your name in an email and identify the list you wish to be added to as the “SOS Church Stretton email list”. Your address will be used only for publicising SOS and related events and will not be provided to any outside parties under any circumstances.

If you are a member of the SOS, you can add your email address to the membership database, permitting the Society to contact you for time-sensitive matters, by filling out this online form.

Making your Bird Sightings Count

There are several opportunities locally to contribute to bird surveys that will enhance our knowledge of bird life in south-central Shropshire and contribute to conservation efforts.

Community Wildlife Groups.  There are twelve Community Wildlife Groups in Shropshire, with several covering most of the Shropshire Hills. All are doing bird surveys, and would welcome the involvement of other birdwatchers.  For information, see the Shropshire Community Wildlife Group website.

Records Needed of Threatened Species.  Leo Smith is interested in all breeding season records of Lapwing, Curlew, Dipper, Barn Owl and Red Kite.  Check here for information on sending him your observations.

Contact Us

You can contact us using the following email address links.

Useful Links

All external links on this website open in a new window or tab.

Page updated 25 April 2024 by AJA