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Photo Credit: Neal J. Hohman, Matt Orsie and Jim Triplet
Welcome to the BBC Website!
Our website is loaded with present and past information about WV birding and the Brooks Bird Club.
Please use the dropdown tabs above for event information, photos, books, checklists, chapters, affiliates and so much more!
Our website is loaded with present and past information about WV birding and the Brooks Bird Club.
Please use the dropdown tabs above for event information, photos, books, checklists, chapters, affiliates and so much more!
What is the Brooks Bird Club?
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The symbol of the club is the American Redstart. The male Redstart is a black and orange wood warbler, Redstarts migrate from South America to nest in West Virginia and other surrounding states. The male sings a beautiful high pitched variable song.
Let's Go Birding!
Newsletter ~ Journal
We now have all 85 years (1933 - 2018) of The Redstart available on our website for reading, reference and research.
John James Audubon PrintsJohn James Audubon's Birds of America is a portal into the natural world. Printed between 1827 and 1838. Nearly 200 years later, the Audubon prints are coming to life once again, thanks to a vibrant digital library. Get your Audubon Prints.
Each print is available as a free high-resolution download. This Fall, Plants for the Birds!Fall is a great time to add to your garden! Native plants beat even the best bird feeder. Transform your yard/garden into a year-round wonderland.
Bird School
Broaden your understanding of birds. Free premium content for all knowledge levels. Learn everything—from birding basics to comprehensive ornithology. The Cornell Lab Bird Academy
New: Be a better birder! Warbler Identification Course Bird Feathers
Finding a feather always sparks interest. What bird was it from?
Learn about feather forensics, check out the Feather Atlas! Wanted: Birders!The Brooks Bird Club is always looking for new birders.
Are you new to birding? Do you enjoy the outdoors and nature? Have you been watching and enjoying birds for years? Come join us, we cater to all nature enthusiasts! Already a BBC Member? Now it's easier than ever to renew your membership or become our newest member, just click "How to Join" WV Bird Banding StationsThe 2018 migratory bird banding season has begun. Check out the links below to learn about some of the bird banding in WV.
Allegheny Front Migratory Observatory: (AFMO) To learn more about the banding station history and the seasonal data, click on the AFMO link above. Northern Saw-whet Owl Bird Banding: (NSWO) To see photos and the seasonal data of the station, click on the NSWO link above. The MAPS Banding Program: (MAPS) The MAPS program is a continent-wide collaborative effort to assist the conservation of birds and their habitats through demographic monitoring. Since 1989, more than 1,200 MAPS stations were started across North America. We currently have 3 stations in West Virginia. Click on MAPS link to learn more. Bird banders and birders conducting surveys use Alpha Codes. What are Alpha Codes? It's the 4 or 6 letter code for all birds. Alpha Codes by common name or taxonomic order. Birding for Beginner's Are you a new birder? Do you want to learn more about birding? We have a new page dedicated to you, it was suggested by a young student who found it while working on a bird migration project. The page is loaded with information for new birders of all ages! Here it is Birding for Beginner's thanks to Hayley!
BooksThroughout the history of the Brooks Bird Club a number of our members have written or co-written nature related books.
Here are a few recent books that are available. WV State ParksThe state parks here in WV are a great place to find birds and explore nature. Explore all the West Virginia State Parks
Past Events |
2018 ~ Upcoming Special EventsNorthern Saw-whet Owl Bird Banding:
Northern Saw-whet Owl banding will be beginning around mid-October at Valley Falls State Park WV. Learn more. BBC Fall Retreat 2018: The Brooks Bird Club Fall Retreat will be October 19th - 21st. We will be at Tygart Lake State Park again this year! The event will include beautiful accommodations, great food, bird walks, speakers on Friday and Saturday, and a great time to see some of our members from across the state! Go to our 2018 Fall Retreat Page for more details about the weekend and our keynote speakers. The deadline to sign up was September 30th, 2018. Eastern Shore Trip 2018: The Eastern Shore Trip will be October 7th ~ 11th. Check out our Eastern Shore Page for all the details! OctoberLearn about bird migration in real time ~ BirdCast
Hawks are migrating! Visit a hawk watch. Download an eastern hawk migration timing chart. Print your own hawk guide. Directions to the WV Hanging Rock Raptor Observatory. Find other Hawk Watches. Learn about hawk migration paths. Chimney Swifts are forming large migratory flocks and roosts. Learn more about this fascinating bird at ChimneySwift.org Fall Warblers are still coming through the state. These bird guides may help Underside ~ Fall Plumage guides. Shorebirds are still showing up in the state. Check out lakes and wetlands with mud flats. To help study for the fall migration. Download the Merlin app from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, it's free! Asters, Goldenrod and more, fall wildflowers are blooming! *Our Redstart Editor Casey Rucker is always looking for interesting observations. It's always a great time to get out and observe nature. Write a nature related article for the Redstart. Bird Nest Boxes and StructuresHere's a great year-round project from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Learn how to make perfect nest boxes & structures.
Just pick the bird species you're interested in and the Cornell Lab will give you the building plans. The information includes how and where to place the bird box/structure to be successful! Other Items of InterestFull Moon: October 24th ~ New Moon: November 7th
West Virginia eBird: Explore current WV eBird data. Mountain Nature Camp: MNC is Oglebay Institutes nature camp established in 1929 for adults, located in Terra Alta WV. MNC will be celebrating its 90th anniversary next year! Learn about Mountain Nature Camp Oglebay Nature News: The Schrader Environmental Education Center (Oglebay Park) Summer Newsletter 2018 ~Just released Fall Newsletter 2018 WV Nature Conservancy: Learn about the Nature Conservancy's West Virginia Protected Preserves and Landscapes. Monongahela National Forest: Designated Wilderness Areas WV Natural Area: The Forks of Coal Natural Area. Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge: The Canaan Valley NWR has programs and outings year round! WV Hiking: Many WV State Parks have organized hiking events. Get out and enjoy all that our parks have to offer! WV Christmas Bird Count Results: Want to know what birds were seen and how many birds were found last season in WV? Check out our WV CBC Results Page! Looking for new places to bird in WV? Check the WVDNR list. You can also buy our Birding Guide to WV here on our website! Neotropical MigrantsWV Rare Bird SpeciesRare birds are often found in West Virginia.
If you see a bird that is not normally found in WV report it to the WV Bird Records Committee. Get a picture, take notes on what you see and hear, call other birders and let others know quickly. Rare birds are defined as birds never or rarely seen in the state. Keep updated of rare birds being reported in WV, learn what birds are on the WV state list and check out the review list here! Download a Rare Bird report form here on our website. The WV Records page also includes: The list of submitted reports that the WV Bird Records Committee voted on in 2017. To see past reports submitted, go to the WVBRC Archives Page. |
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Are you planning a bird or nature related outing? Let us know and we will post it on our Calendar of Events or Home Page.
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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.
The new 2018-2019 Mallards stamp is available now! Read more about them & buy yours here. |
2018-2019 Federal Duck Stamp, featuring a pair of mallards, art by Robert Hautman of Delano, Minnesota. 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 returning swallows, warblers, flycatchers, orioles and other birds migrating north.
Summer: Breeding birds are everywhere, look for nests and fledglings. Shorebirds begin migrating south.
Fall: The southward migration; look for shorebirds, songbirds and hawks. Visit a banding station and a hawk watch.
Spring: Look for returning swallows, warblers, flycatchers, orioles and other birds migrating north.
Summer: Breeding birds are everywhere, look for nests and fledglings. Shorebirds begin migrating south.
Fall: The southward migration; look for shorebirds, songbirds and hawks. Visit a banding station and a hawk watch.
~ Wheeling-Charleston-Parkersburg-Pipestem-Marlinton and beyond we are birding West Virginia ~
Find a BBC chapter or a BBC affiliate in your area!
BBC members are also affiliated with both local WV Audubon Chapters ~ Mountaineer and Potomac Valley
Find a BBC chapter or a BBC affiliate in your area!
BBC members are also affiliated with both local WV Audubon Chapters ~ Mountaineer and Potomac Valley