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Photo Credit: Neal J. Hohman and Matt Orsie
Welcome to the NEW BBC Website!
Our new site is loaded with information about the Brooks Bird Club past and present with photos, slideshows and useful birding information and links.
Our new site is loaded with information about the Brooks Bird Club past and present with photos, slideshows and useful birding information and links.
What is the Brooks Bird Club?
American Redstart
- It’s an independent, educational, nonprofit organization that promotes the study and enjoyment of birds and other elements of the natural world.
- The club also undertakes studies that have lasting scientific value, e.g., population and breeding bird surveys.
- Every year in June the Brooks Bird Club has a "Foray" held in different parts of West Virginia. Here members of the club's affiliates and chapters come together to find all the flora and fauna possible, while enjoying nature related programs, campfires and friendship.
- Most of all we are a bird club... we go out throughout the year to enjoy nature while finding all the birds we can!
The symbol of the club is the American Redstart, the male Redstart is a black and orange wood warbler that migrates from South America and nests in West Virginia and surrounding states. He sings a beautiful high pitched variable song.
Lets Go Birding!
To find a pre-scheduled nature outing, check out our Calendar of Events page. 
What's New?
The 2016 3rd quarter Mail Bag is in ... You can now read the Redstart (our scientific journal) online as well! Wanted: Birders!The Brooks Bird Club is always looking for new birders.
Are you new to birding? Enjoy watching your backyard birds? Have you been watching and enjoying birds for years? Do you love nature? Come join us, we cater to all nature enthusiasts! Now it's easier than ever to become our newest member, just click the "How to Join" button at the bottom of the page! Last SpringNew Birding Trail
Captina Creek Birding Trail is now officially open, the trail starts at Powhatan Point OH and heads west on route 148. The official dedication was April 30th. Wildflower Pilgrimage 2016 Blackwater Falls State Park: The 55th WFP was a great success! With almost 300 people attending from WV and beyond. BBC bird leaders with help from the pilgrims tallied 125 species of birds! The wildflowers were in abundance and all enjoyed the sights and sounds of nature. Thanks to all the pilgrims, bird leaders, botany leaders, geology leaders, WV DNR and the WV Garden Club for making this event happen. Lake Erie Birding 2016 BBC members birding Magee Marsh, Metzger Marsh, Ottawa NWR, Oak Openings and the surrounding Lake Erie areas this May reported over 155 species! Always a great birding trip. The BBC Foray 2016
The BBC Foray was another success this June. Read all about the Tucker County event in the Mail Bag online. The 2017 BBC Foray will be June 9th-17th at the Lost River Retreat Center in Hardy County. More information will be available soon, click on "Foray" under the Event Tab for updates as they become available. Planning an impromptu outing?Planning a bird or nature related outing let us know and we will post it here on our Home Page
Have you seen a rare bird species?The migration is on... Rare birds are often found in the state.
If you see a rare bird that is not normally found in WV report it to the WV Records Committee. Get a picture, take notes on what you see and hear, let others know quickly, call a friend to get someone else to see the bird. "Rare birds" are defined as birds never before or rarely seen in the state. |
Coming this FallBBC Fall Retreat & Membership Meeting 2016:
This fall members of the Brooks Bird Club will be gathering at Tygart Lake State Park, Grafton WV on October 14-16. For more information and registration. Eastern Shore Trip 2016: The dates are set, November 9-13. For more information, details and online registration. Former BBC President PassesFormer BBC President Joe Rieffenberger passes away at 89.
New BookRainbows, Bluebirds and Buffleheads, is a new book just released by long time BBC member Bill Beatty.
"In Rainbows, Bluebirds and Buffleheads I share my favorite memories and stories about birds and how they changed my life. You’ll meet the rainbow birds that started it all and some amazing people who helped me when I was a fledgling. Midnight owl surveys…an avalanche of birds…Ralph-ael…bare-handing birds…pileated prowess…and so much more". Bill To find out more and order your copy click here. Bird BandingBird banding at the Allegheny Front Migratory Observatory (AFMO) has started for the 2016 season. AFMO is located on Dolly Sods in the mountains of West Virginia. Banding started here over 50 years ago. Founded by BBC member Ralph K. Bell.
The banding station is open for about 7 weeks (weather permitting). This is a great opportunity to see warblers in hand. For more information go to our "Calendar of Events" page, click on "Bird Banding". September*Shorebirds are still moving south, check those pond edges and muddy wetlands, you never know what you might find!
*Common Mergansers are in family groups along our rivers and creeks. Check out the bike trails along the rivers. *Warblers, vireos and other neo-tropical migrants that bred further north are showing up in our woodlands again. *Hawks are moving, this is the month to see large kettles of Broad-wing Hawks. What else?New Moon: October 1st.
In Bloom: Wildflowers are blooming everywhere get out and enjoy the beauty of the fall season. Hummingbirds: Keeping your hummingbird feeders clean and freshly filled into the fall will help migrating hummers and it may also attract a Rufous Hummingbird! For the latest news in the birding world,
check out The Birding Wire. |
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Federal Duck StampSupport bird habitat conservation! The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service offers Duck Stamps for purchase. 98% of the price goes towards the National Wildlife Refuge Service. Your 2015-2016 Ruddy Duck stamp expired at the end of June. The new 2016-2017 Trumpeter Swan stamp is available now!
Read more about them & buy yours here. |
2016-2017 Federal Duck Stamp featuring trumpeter swans, art by Joseph Hautman of Plymouth, Minn. Credit: USFWS
Birding is Year Round!
Winter: Check out the rivers, lakes and ponds. Look for waterfowl and gulls. Help on a Christmas Bird Count.
Spring: Look for warblers, flycatchers, orioles and other birds migrating north.
Summer: Breeding birds are everywhere, look for nests and fledglings. Shorebirds begin migrating south.
Fall: The southern migration is on; look for shorebirds, songbirds and hawks. Visit a banding station and a hawk watch.
Spring: Look for warblers, flycatchers, orioles and other birds migrating north.
Summer: Breeding birds are everywhere, look for nests and fledglings. Shorebirds begin migrating south.
Fall: The southern migration is on; look for shorebirds, songbirds and hawks. Visit a banding station and a hawk watch.
-Wheeling-Charleston-Parkersburg-Marlinton-Pipestem and beyond we are birding West Virginia-
Find a chapter in your area!
Find a chapter in your area!
