2016 BBC Past Events (Year in Review)
Here are some of the BBC and non-BBC events, that took place in 2016 that various BBC members enjoyed.
New 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.
Allegheny Front Migratory Observatory 2016
Bird banding at the Allegheny Front Migratory Observatory (AFMO) is complete 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) mid-August to early October.
5423 birds were banded at AFMO this season!
BBC Fall Retreat & Membership Meeting 2016:
October 14-16 members of the Brooks Bird Club gathered at Tygart Lake State Park for the Fall Retreat. Thirty members enjoyed trips to Prickets Fort State Park and Valley Falls State Park. Check back soon for details of the weekend!
Eastern Shore Trip 2016:
Members of the BBC enjoyed the sights and sounds of the east coast November 9-13.
Brief Trip Report: By Janice Emrick.
Thirty-eight birders headed to the eastern shore this fall. Waterfowl found included 20 duck species (including all 3 scoters), 4 geese species and 3 swan species. The best bird of the trip was the Black-headed Gull, a life bird for many. Other nice finds included Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Cormorant, 80 American Oystercatchers, Prairie Warbler and many Bald Eagles. Together we found 136 bird species. Janice. Photo highlights By Neil Hohman
Saw-whet Owl banding at Valley Falls State Park 2016
BBC member Joey Herron banded Saw-whet Owls during the migration (Oct. and Nov.) at Valley Falls State Park.
WV Christmas Bird Counts 2016/2017 season
Audubon's 117th Christmas Bird Count (CBC).
CBC's are held each year between December 14th and January 5th all over North America and beyond.
The dates of all the West Virginia counts are on our Christmas Bird Count page.
All the data from last years WV CBC's is now on the website.
Click on WV CBC Results to see what birds, how many birds and who participated in each circle last year!
Find out where all the CBC circles are exactly click here.
To learn more about Audubon's Christmas Bird Count and to watch a video by BBC member Chandler Robbins click here.
*BBC member/CBC compiler LeJay Graffious reports 100 species found on Morgantown CBC 12/17/16... Wow!
*BBC member/CBC compiler Dick Esker reports 76 species found on the Parkersburg CBC, a ten year high count.
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.
Allegheny Front Migratory Observatory 2016
Bird banding at the Allegheny Front Migratory Observatory (AFMO) is complete 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) mid-August to early October.
5423 birds were banded at AFMO this season!
BBC Fall Retreat & Membership Meeting 2016:
October 14-16 members of the Brooks Bird Club gathered at Tygart Lake State Park for the Fall Retreat. Thirty members enjoyed trips to Prickets Fort State Park and Valley Falls State Park. Check back soon for details of the weekend!
Eastern Shore Trip 2016:
Members of the BBC enjoyed the sights and sounds of the east coast November 9-13.
Brief Trip Report: By Janice Emrick.
Thirty-eight birders headed to the eastern shore this fall. Waterfowl found included 20 duck species (including all 3 scoters), 4 geese species and 3 swan species. The best bird of the trip was the Black-headed Gull, a life bird for many. Other nice finds included Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Cormorant, 80 American Oystercatchers, Prairie Warbler and many Bald Eagles. Together we found 136 bird species. Janice. Photo highlights By Neil Hohman
Saw-whet Owl banding at Valley Falls State Park 2016
BBC member Joey Herron banded Saw-whet Owls during the migration (Oct. and Nov.) at Valley Falls State Park.
WV Christmas Bird Counts 2016/2017 season
Audubon's 117th Christmas Bird Count (CBC).
CBC's are held each year between December 14th and January 5th all over North America and beyond.
The dates of all the West Virginia counts are on our Christmas Bird Count page.
All the data from last years WV CBC's is now on the website.
Click on WV CBC Results to see what birds, how many birds and who participated in each circle last year!
Find out where all the CBC circles are exactly click here.
To learn more about Audubon's Christmas Bird Count and to watch a video by BBC member Chandler Robbins click here.
*BBC member/CBC compiler LeJay Graffious reports 100 species found on Morgantown CBC 12/17/16... Wow!
*BBC member/CBC compiler Dick Esker reports 76 species found on the Parkersburg CBC, a ten year high count.
2016 Other Items of Interests
New Book:
Rainbows, Bluebirds and Buffleheads, is a new book released last Fall 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.
Rainbows, Bluebirds and Buffleheads, is a new book released last Fall 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.