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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!
What's New?We now have all 85 years (1933 - 2018) of The Redstart available on our website for reading, reference and research.
Former BBC President Passes
Former Brooks Bird Club President Stuart Robbins passed away on March 31st 2018. As most BBC members know, Stu was the son of Chandler S. Robbins.
The Memorial Service for Stu was held on April 14th. Living Green Lecture Series (Wheeling)
Living Green Lecture Series 2018:
At the Schrader Environmental Center at Oglebay Admission Free! Sponsored by the Brooks Bird Club. Apr. 29th: New Wildlife Species of the Appalachian Mountains Presented by Dr. Zachary Loughman. The Living Green Lecture Series features local presenters speaking on a variety of environmental topics. Join us as we learn from the experts and highlight issues that are important to all of us. These programs are geared towards adults. Programs run 2:00pm ~ 3:00pm 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" Birding for Beginner'sAre 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!
WV Bird Banding StationsThe 2018 bird banding season will begin this summer. 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's history and the seasonal data, click on the AFMO link above. The 2017 AFMO seasonal data is now up on the website! Northern Saw-whet Owl Bird Banding: (NSWO) To see photos and the seasonal data of the station, click on the NSWO link above. The 2017 NSWO seasonal data is now up on the website! 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. BooksVultures, by BBC member Katie Fallon was released in the spring of 2017 . A heartfelt and authoritative account of the world’s most numerous and misunderstood avian scavenger. This is Katie's second book, in 2011 she released Cerulean Blues. To learn more or to order your copy, click here.
Rainbows, Bluebirds and Buffleheads, is the book released in the fall of 2016 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", Bill. To learn more or to order your copy, click here. 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 |
2018 ~ Upcoming Special EventsWV Wildflower Pilgrimage 2018:
The 57th West Virginia Wildflower Pilgrimage will be held on May 10th-13th. Based out of Blackwater Falls State Park, the pilgrimage features 13+ tours each day to choose from. All tours go to great WV destinations for wildflowers, birds and more! Learn more and find an online application. International Migratory Bird Day May 12th 2018: Learn about International Migratory Bird Day. Contact your local county compiler for more information. Brooks Bird Club Foray 2018: The 2018 BBC Foray will be June 3rd-10th. This years Foray will be based at Camp Pocahontas, Thornwood WV. For more information go to our 2018 Foray Page. If you're not sure what the Brooks Bird Club's Foray is all about, go to our Main Foray Page to learn about this wonderful West Virginia nature event that's in it's 79th year! To sign up for Foray go to our online application page. BBC Scholarships are available. Online forms are now OPEN! Mid-AprilSpring is here, the wood warblers are showing up! Look for Louisiana Waterthush, Yellow-throated Warbler and other early warblers. Blue-gray Gnatcatchers will be starting nests soon!
Ospreys are adding sticks to their nests! Spring ephemeral wildflowers are everywhere! Colonial nesting Great Blue Herons are working on repairing and rebuilding nests in their rookeries. *American Woodcocks are displaying. Learn more. *Migratory swallows are back! Learn about Tree Swallows. *There are still a few migratory Ducks coming through. *Bluebirds are building their nests. Learn more. *Our Redstart Editor Casey Rucker is always looking for interesting observations. Early Spring is a great time to get out and observe nature. Write a spring/nature related article for the Redstart! WV BBS Routes (Help Needed)Six WV Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) routes are open for the 2018 season. To learn more, check out 2018 open WV BBS routes.
Bird Nest Boxes and StructuresHere's a great year-round project. Learn all about making nest boxes and nest structures from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
Just pick the bird species you're interested in and the Cornell Lab will give you the building plans with all the information like how and where to place the bird box/structure to be successful! Other Items of InterestFull Moon: April 30th.
Ralph K. Bell Bench Dedication: On May 19th there will be a Special Dedication to former BBC member Ralph K. Bell. Nature Camps: Oglebay Institute has set the dates for their 2018 nature camps. Junior Nature Camp (ages 10-15) and Mountain Nature Camp (adults of all ages). Click the camp for more info. 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! The BBC Handlan Chapter has discontinued its own website: Find all Handlan Chapter information here on the BBC website. Nature News: The Schrader Environmental Education Center (Oglebay Park) Winter Newsletter 2017-2018 ~ Spring Newsletter 2018. WV Nature Conservancy: 2018 Spring Newsletter. Learn about WV Protected Preserves and Landscapes. Featured 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! 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! Have you seen a rare bird speciesRare birds are often found in West Virginia.
If you see a rare 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, let others know quickly, call a friend to get someone else to see the bird. "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 report form if needed here on our website. New to the WV Records page: The list of Rare Birds submitted in 2017 and how the Bird Records Committee voted. To see other rare bird reports go to the WVBRC Archives. Past Events
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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 2017-2018 Canada Geese stamp is available now! Read more about them & buy yours here. |
2017-2018 Federal Duck Stamp, featuring a trio of Canada Geese, art by James Hautman of Chaska, 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 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
