About Us
What is the Brooks Bird Club?
The Brooks Bird Club, Inc. is an independent, educational, non-profit organization which promotes the study and enjoyment of birds and other elements of the natural world.
Its purpose is to inform members and the public of environmental issues, to encourage intelligent use of our natural resources and preservation of our natural heritage.
The club undertakes studies which have scientific value, including population and breeding bird surveys.
The symbol of the club is the American Redstart, a Neotropical wood warbler that breeds throughout the state.
Its purpose is to inform members and the public of environmental issues, to encourage intelligent use of our natural resources and preservation of our natural heritage.
The club undertakes studies which have scientific value, including population and breeding bird surveys.
The symbol of the club is the American Redstart, a Neotropical wood warbler that breeds throughout the state.
History
The club was founded in 1932 by John Handlan and a group of enthusiastic young people, including Charles L. Conrad. Mr. Handlan led the group on weekly bird walks in Oglebay Park, Wheeling West Virginia, with A. B. Brooks, a well-known West Virginia naturalist.
A. B. had a great influence on the club’s knowledge and philosophy, thus the club’s name.
Most of the early members attended the Nature Training School at Oglebay Park and Terra Alta, West Virginia. This led to the first BBC "Foray" in 1940, directed by Charles L. Conrad of Wheeling, who continued to be the Foray Director until his death on July 2, 1982.
To read the in depth chronological history of the club, and to see an historical slide show, go to our BBC History Page.
A. B. had a great influence on the club’s knowledge and philosophy, thus the club’s name.
Most of the early members attended the Nature Training School at Oglebay Park and Terra Alta, West Virginia. This led to the first BBC "Foray" in 1940, directed by Charles L. Conrad of Wheeling, who continued to be the Foray Director until his death on July 2, 1982.
To read the in depth chronological history of the club, and to see an historical slide show, go to our BBC History Page.
BBC Nature Foray
The BBC "Foray" is held each June in a different region of West Virginia suitable for bird and natural history studies.
The purpose is to offer BBC members and students the chance to be in the field and take part in an ecological study of a selected area.
It is typically a week long event, members can come and participate for any length of time they choose during the Foray.
The program is planned so that everyone can pursue his/her own interests.
There are classes and field work in birds, ferns, mosses, flowers, grasses, trees, geology, fungi, butterflies, herptiles and small mammals. The interdependence of all living things is learned anew.
There is also time to just relax and enjoy nature and an evening campfire. Go to the main Foray Page to learn more!
The purpose is to offer BBC members and students the chance to be in the field and take part in an ecological study of a selected area.
It is typically a week long event, members can come and participate for any length of time they choose during the Foray.
The program is planned so that everyone can pursue his/her own interests.
There are classes and field work in birds, ferns, mosses, flowers, grasses, trees, geology, fungi, butterflies, herptiles and small mammals. The interdependence of all living things is learned anew.
There is also time to just relax and enjoy nature and an evening campfire. Go to the main Foray Page to learn more!
Publications
The Redstart
The Redstart is the Brooks Bird Club's scientific journal, it is an official publication of the club. Original papers in the field of natural history have been published in it since 1933. Each issue contains various nature related articles such as, field and banding notes, reports from the BBC Foray, Christmas Bird Count results, and other natural history information.
To read the current issue of the Redstart or past journals, go to The Redstart page.
To read the current issue of the Redstart or past journals, go to The Redstart page.
The Mail Bag
The Mail Bag is the Brooks Bird Club's quarterly publication providing new member information, dates for club events, correspondence and other items of general interest for the club members.
To read the current Mail Bag or past newsletters, go to The Mail Bag page.
To read the current Mail Bag or past newsletters, go to The Mail Bag page.
Birding Guide to West Virginia
The Birding Guide to West Virginia is a must for novice and advanced birders. This book, by the members of the Brooks Bird Club, is the first guide to finding birds exclusively in the Mountain State.
The book describes forty-seven of the best birding sites. Over fifty top birders in West Virginia participated in describing where to go and what birds are likely to be found in each region.
Novice birders will use this book to identify expected birds in the areas. Advance birders will use this reference book to locate specific species.
The book details travel information with maps and lists bird species known in each habitat.
Other features are a checklist of the state's birds, a list of noteworthy plants by region and phone numbers of volunteers who are willing to answer questions.
Interested in buying a copy? Click here to buy your WV Birding Guide
The book describes forty-seven of the best birding sites. Over fifty top birders in West Virginia participated in describing where to go and what birds are likely to be found in each region.
Novice birders will use this book to identify expected birds in the areas. Advance birders will use this reference book to locate specific species.
The book details travel information with maps and lists bird species known in each habitat.
Other features are a checklist of the state's birds, a list of noteworthy plants by region and phone numbers of volunteers who are willing to answer questions.
Interested in buying a copy? Click here to buy your WV Birding Guide
Special Publications
- Birds of the Lower Ohio River Valley in West Virginia by Lloyd Kiff, Thomas D. Igou, Harry E. Slack, III, and Leon Wilson
- Birds of the Greater Kanawha Valley by Charles O. Handley, Sr.
- The West Virginia Breeding Bird Atlas by Albert R. Buckelew Jr. and George A. Hall
- The List of West Virginia Birds by George A. Hall
- Endangered and Threatened Species in West Virginia edited by Albert R. Buckelew Jr.
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