We're excited to announce a brand new partnership with @westmidbirdclub.bsky.social, offering the chance to for two aspiring conservationists to visit the Obs for two weeks in August this year!
For more details and how to apply, see www.fairislebirdobs.co.uk/opportunitie...
Please visit: www.westmidlandbirdclub.org.uk/join-us.
If you wish to check any details or need some assistance, please contact our Membership Secretary at membership@westmidlandbirdclub.org.uk
❗Please be aware that some membership renewals have failed. If you previously paid via Worldpay or Standing Order, you need to re-join through our website.
Reserve gate codes change on 1st March - make sure you don't miss out on access to some of the best birding sites in the West Midland region!
Birmingham City;
Kingfisher & 3 Tawny Owls
Great to see;
Peregrine & Raven mid air tussle,
2 Black Redstart across their territories
@ecorecord.bsky.social @westmidbirdclub.bsky.social @ukrbbp.bsky.social
Great Crested grebes this morning.. @bbcspringwatch.bsky.social @westmidbirdclub.bsky.social
Whitemoor Haye 08.00 - 12.00, 2 of 3.
5 grey partridge, 10 cormorant, 1 ruff, 3 meadow pipit, 4 little grebe, 2 slavonian grebe, 1 little egret, 84 mute swan, 1 merlin, 8 egyptian geese, 4 yellowhammer (2m, 2f), 1 gw egret, 2 peregrine. @staffsbirdnews.bsky.social @westmidbirdclub.bsky.social
WMBC members can buy a DISCOUNTED ticket to both the talk and the exhibition! Buy your tickets here 👇
Talk & Exhibition: wolverhamptonart.ticketsolve.com/.../1173674112
Talk ONLY: wolverhamptonart.ticketsolve.com/.../1173674110
Don't miss Chris Evans' talk TOMORROW on the final day of The Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition.
'From Black Redstarts to Nightjars - iconic birds of the West Midlands area'
📆 Sun 25 Jan
📍Wolverhampton Art Gallery
📸 (c) Bence Máté, Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Would you like a local branch near you?
Following the success of our Stafford branch, we’re looking to set up more local groups for members. Come along to one of our meetings to share your thoughts! 🙋♂️🙋♀️
A monster 1st winter Caspian Gull dropped in mid afternoon. A real big hooter on this one. #UKBirding
📣 Save the date!!! 📣
The WMBC Open Day & AGM will return this year!
📅 Saturday 16th May 2026
📍 Middleton Hall & Gardens.
We have lots of exciting plans which we'll be sharing with you shortly.
Watch this space 👀
All are welcome to join the Stafford branch this Tuesday, 13th January, for a talk about Costa Rica with David Tolliday.
£3 admission including refreshments.
Doors will open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start.
We look forward to welcoming you there! ✨
And also Roger Maskew, a birder and well-known botanist and author whose love of nature started with birdwatching and submitted many field records to the club over the years.
We have also sadly heard very recently of the deaths of two more stalwarts: David Dodd, a life member of the Club who was the Chairman and treasurer of the Stafford Branch and all round naturalist, author and legendary figure, especially in Worcestershire.
His funeral will take at 1.30 pm on Thursday the 15th at Wyre Forest Crematorium for anyone who knew him. For further details on Tony’s funeral, please contact our Worcestershire representative Brian Rickett by email: Worcs-rep@westmidlandbirdclub.org.uk
The Club was saddened to hear of the death of popular Worcestershire birder and member Tony Smith. He was a long-standing member of the former Kidderminster WMBC Branch for many years.
@westmidbirdclub.bsky.social Stafford Branch next talk on Tuesday 13th January, Walton Village Hall Stafford. Refreshments provided, all welcome
Circa Alrewas 14.09 - 17.00.
C150 Linnet in fields north of Alrewas woth several Skylark.
2 Snipe, 1 Little Egret, 2 Stonechat, 1 Goosander and 1 Cetti's Warbler @staffsbirdnews.bsky.social @westmidbirdclub.bsky.social
📣 2026 Membership Renewal! 📣
If you're a WMBC member, you will need to renew now to continue your membership for 2026. Check your email inbox for step by step instructions on how to do this!
All are welcome to join the Stafford branch THIS TUESDAY for a talk by Paul Hill entitled Tarifa - "Gateway to Africa".
£3 admission including refreshments. Doors will open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start.
We look forward to welcoming you there! ✨
WMBC legendary oldest member would have been 100 today Dec6th but sadly died on October 6th 2025 . Eric Clare aka Sam will be rememberedv for his west midland bird club birdline and his times on Scillyb especially on Agnes. Happy birthday Eric and thank you for all that information.
Join the WMBC Stafford Branch coach trip to WWT Slimbridge on Sunday 7th December!
You can book your place via our website: www.westmidlandbirdclub.org.uk/event-detail... or by emailing Chris Evans: staffordfieldmeets(at)westmidlandbirdclub(dot)org(dot)uk.
⚠️ Ladywalk Flooding ⚠️
Please be aware that due to flooding, Ladywalk is currently inaccessible until water levels go down.
WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER, Blithfield, Staffs – From a couple of weeks back, stayed asleep for the first half hour in low sun and semi concealed which made picking out the ID features difficult but educational, showed well as morning progressed. @westmidbirdclub.bsky.social
Additionally, if you have any recollections of conversations or times with Eric that you would like to share as part of a tribute to him, that would be very much appreciated by his family and friends.
Please pass this information on to any others that you know might be interested in attending.
Please contact Roger Broadbent at Roger.broadbent@westmidlandbirdclub.org.uk to confirm whether you will be attending the funeral service and/or the function at the Crown.
Eric Samuel Clare's funeral will be held on Monday November 10th 2025 at 2.30pm at Lichfield Crematorium, Fradley Lane, Fradley Lichfield WS13 8GA. The family of Eric wish to invite friends, neighbours and WMBC members afterwards to The Crown, 7 Post Office Lane, Alrewas, Staffs DE13 7BS.
And to find out about the Birdland Launch Day event visit: macbirmingham.co.uk/events/birdl...
📍Midlands Arts Centre, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham, B12 9QH
The main event and the walks are free with no need to book. The meeting point for the walks will be the WMBC stall in the MAC's ground floor foyer.
For more information about the bird spotting walks visit: macbirmingham.co.uk/events/bird-...
Come and join the WMBC at the Midland Arts Centre's (MAC) 'Birdland Trail' Launch!
Visit our stand to find out more information about WMBC, or join our knowledgeable reserve representatives on a bird spotting walk around Cannon Hill Park, at 10.30am or 2.30pm 🌳🦆🐦
