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Photo credits: Anonymous photographers.
Welcome to the BBC Website!
Our website is loaded with current and past information about the Brooks Bird Club, birds & nature, and birding in West Virginia!
Please use the dropdown tabs above for event information, photos, books, checklists, chapters, affiliates and so much more!
Our website is loaded with current and past information about the Brooks Bird Club, birds & nature, and birding in West Virginia!
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 club symbol is the American Redstart. The male Redstart is a black and orange wood warbler. American Redstarts migrate from South America to nest in West Virginia and other surrounding states. The male sings a beautiful high pitched variable song.
Find a BBC chapter or a BBC affiliate in your area!
BBC members are also affiliated with both WV Audubon Chapters ~ Mountaineer and Potomac Valley
BBC members are also affiliated with both WV Audubon Chapters ~ Mountaineer and Potomac Valley
Let's Go Birding!
Newsletter ~ Journal
We have all of the Redstarts available on our website for reading, reference and research (1933 - current issue).
BirdCast WV: Check out the daily WV bird migration!
Allegheny Front Migratory Observatory (AFMO)
NEW 2024 banding results are now on the website! AFMO Page
WV Bird Records Committee
NEW Printable 2025 WV Bird Checklist available here!
Avian Science News:
2024 North American Taxonomy Updates:
American Herring Gull (Larus smithsonianus) AHGU Northern House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) HOWR no change American Barn Owl (Tyto furcata) ABOW Redpoll (Acanthis flammea) (lumped all) REDP Accipiter sp. - No More Accipiter sp. will no longer be available as a reporting option, birders will still have ‘slash’ options for the most similar species. Cooper’s Hawk/American Goshawk or Sharp-shinned/Cooper’s Hawk. An equivalent option to Accipiter sp. will be Accipitrine hawk sp. Create your own Wildlife Sanctuary!Did you know the BBC has a Wildlife Sanctuary program?
Learn how to have your own personal Wildlife Sanctuary! Restore your WV property with native plants that attract birds and other wildlife ~ WV Native Plant Society. Bird FeedersLearn about different types of seed and how they attract birds and how to make your own suet on our Feed the Birds Page!
WV Second Breeding Bird Atlas
The WV Second Breeding Bird Atlas is now available!
The WV atlas features information on 170 bird species. BBC members receive a 30% discount. For your discount code, contact the webmaster. Order your copy here. Thanks to all the volunteers who made the 2nd Atlas possible. WV Bird Banding Station re-opened!The Allegheny Front Migratory Observatory (AFMO) reopened in the fall 2023 after a short hiatus. AFMO is located across from the Red Creek Campground in the Dolly Sods Wilderness.
The AFMO banding station typically opens the last weekend of August. Once opened, it will be in operation seven days a week (weather permitting) through the first week of October. Banding takes place in the mornings, generally from dawn to noon. Neotropical MigrantsBird NoteBird Note ~ Stories about birds, the environment and more!
WV conservation begins with you.
You can make a difference... Please help where you can! WV Wild Yards ProgramLearn how to get your West Virginia yard officially certified through the WV Backyard Habitat Certification Program.
Wild Yards Manual ~ Apply Online ~ Printable Application 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" Bird SchoolBroaden your understanding of birds. Free premium content for all knowledge levels. Learn everything—from birding basics to comprehensive ornithology. The Cornell Lab Bird Academy
Bird FeathersFinding a feather always sparks interest. Which bird was it from?
Learn about feather forensics, check out the Feather Base. The Feather Atlas, another great source, has been updated. Since feather collection is illegal, take a few photos and research your found feather later, using one of the sources above! WV Bird Banding StationsAllegheny Front Migratory Observatory: (AFMO)
AFMO banding station is closed for the season! NEW 2024 banding results are now on the website! AFMO Page The AFMO banding station typically opens the last weekend of August. Once opened, it will be in operation seven days a week (weather permitting) through the first week of October. Banding takes place most mornings, from dawn to noon.
To learn more about the banding station history, past seasonal data, or donate, go to our AFMO Page.
Northern Saw-whet Owl Bird Banding: (NSWO)
To see photos and the seasonal data from the Valley Falls State Park banding station, click on the NSWO link above. The MAPS Banding Program: (MAPS) Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship 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 the MAPS link above to learn more about this bird banding program. Alpha Bird Codes:
What are Alpha Codes? It's the 4 or 6 letter code for all birds. Alpha Codes by common name or taxonomic order. Please protect clean air, clean water, and public health and conserve working farms, forests, and natural lands here in WV.
BBC Helping Chimney SwiftsThe BBC funded construction of Chimney Swift (CHSW) towers in WV. Learn about The BBC Chimney Swift Project!
Now more than ever, we all need to be involved in conservation in one form or another. Whether it's helping on a Christmas Bird Count, the Breeding Bird Survey or just counting birds at your feeders for The Great Backyard Bird Count.
You can make a difference, please help where you can! WV Butterfly HouseThe Schrader Environmental Education Center (SEEC) is constructing a butterfly enclosure next to the SEEC in Wheeling's Oglebay Park.
If you are interested in helping with funding, or being involved on this wonderful project, please contact the SEEC Director Ramsey Core [email protected] or 304-242-6855 Butterflies' native to WV will be raised and released within the enclosure. After the construction is completed Lepidoptera programs geared to all ages will ensue. Native plants for caterpillars and butterflies of West Virginia. |
2025 ~ Upcoming Special EventsCheck the BBC Calendar of Events for all 2025 events.
2025 WV Wildflower Pilgrimage May 8th - 11th
This Mother's Day weekend the WV Garden Club and the WV Division of Natural Resources hosts the 63rd Annual WV Wildflower Pilgrimage at Blackwater Falls State Park! To learn about this event, daily tour descriptions, or to download a registration form go to our WV Wildflower Pilgrimage Page. 2025 BBC Nature Foray June 15th - 20th The BBCs 84th Nature Foray will be in Hardy County WV this year and will be based at Camp Pinnacle. To learn more and to sign up online go to our BBC Foray Page! 2025 Oglebay Institute's Mountain Nature Camp The OI Mountain Nature Camp will be June 15th - 21st. Based in the Appalachian Mountains in Terra Alta WV. To learn more, or to sign up, go to our Mountain Nature Camp Page! 2025 WV Master Naturalist Conference Held on June 27th - 29th at Blackwater Falls State Park. Learn more about the WV Master Naturalist Program. Canaan/Blackwater Area Outings/EventsAll are invited to the upcoming guided bird outings in Tucker County. These events are free and open to people of all birding abilities. Please bundle up and dress for the weather. Also, bring water, snacks, and binoculars, if you have them. Before heading out, check Facebook or the web for updates as events may be rescheduled or cancelled due to the weather.
New April 2025 outings now posted! For events, dates, and details go to our BBC Calendar! For information about current outings & events check out these links Canaan Valley NWR ~ Blackwater Falls State Park. Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge Newsletter
You can help migratory birds! Create habitat and provide food sources by planting native trees, shrubs and flowering plants; leave snag trees as potential nesting sites.
Recent Past Events2025 BBC Early Spring Gathering - March 7th - 9th.
North Bend State Park in Cairo WV will be our base again this year for our spring event! Join other BBC members for a weekend of fun, fellowship, programs, and field trips. Learn more HERE! NEW speaker update! National Audubon Society's 125th Christmas Bird Count The National Audubon Society's CBC season runs from December 14th through January 5th. WV CBC dates and contacts (PDF) printable. Learn about all the Christmas Bird Counts here in WV! See where all the WV counts are! WV CBC Circle Map New WV CBC in Mercer County! WVBL Bluestone Josh Parks and Chris Mullens are starting the new WV CBC!
The BBC now oversees the AFMO banding station.
If you would like to contribute to the banding station and its continued success, you can by donating to our new BBC AFMO Fund! Just click the donate button above! 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! Report Spotted Lanternflies!
West Virginians should continue to be on the lookout for a new invasive insect pest, the spotted lanternfly. Learn more.
Spotted lanternfly mating starts in late August with egg-laying from September - November or until the first killing freeze. Hatching begins in May, so smash those eggs before they hatch! Learn how to scout for those egg cases. Spring is here!Spring: As the days get longer and warmer, wintering birds begin to sing, wildflowers begin to emerge, and the amazing avian migration begins!
Brush up on those spring migrating birds, and their songs. There's no way easier to learn about birds than to download the Merlin app from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, it's free! Get outside and start practice identifying those birds calls and songs with Merlin's sound identifier! It's always a great time to get out and observe nature. Our Redstart Editor Casey Rucker is always looking for interesting observations. Write a nature related article for The Redstart. Have you renewed your BBC membership? Join or renew your BBC Membership here on the website! The new 2024 - 2025 Federal Duck Stamp is now available! For more information go to the bottom of our Home Page!
Other Items of InterestMonongahela National Forest: Designated Wilderness Areas
WV Christmas Bird Count Results: Want to know what species were found, and how many birds were counted here in WV? Check out our WV CBC Archives page! West Virginia eBird: Explore current WV eBird data. WV Nature Conservancy: Learn about the Nature Conservancy's West Virginia Protected Preserves and Landscapes. WV Natural Area: The Forks of Coal Natural Area. Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge: Visit the new Canaan Valley NWR visitor center! 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.
Rare birds are found in West Virginia every year.
If you see a bird that you believe is not normally seen in WV, take photos, make notes on what you see and hear, if possible, call other birders, let others know quickly. Then report it to the WV Bird Records Committee. 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 on the WV Review List here! Download a Rare Bird Report Form here on our website. The WV Bird Records Committee page also includes: The submitted rare bird reports submitted yearly to the WV Bird Records Committee. Recently submitted reports. To see past reports submitted, go to the WVBRC Archives Page.
Some of the rare birds seen in WV!
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 EventsTo see past events that our BBC members enjoyed, click below!
Past events by year: 2024~ 2023 ~ 2020 ~ 2019 ~ 2018 ~ 2017 ~ 2016 Past BBC Homepage Articles with Links. Archives Avian Anatomy
Learn your Wildflowers
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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 2023-2024 duck stamp featuring a Northern Pintail, is available now! Read more about them & buy yours HERE. |
2024-2025 Federal Duck Stamp, featuring a Northern Pintail painted by artist Chuck Black.
Used with permission by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Used with permission by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
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