📣 ONE WEEK TO GO UNTIL THE WMBC OPEN DAY!!! 📣 We look forward to welcoming you to Middleton Hall & Gardens this time next week, Saturday 16th May. The full programme will be shared on here in the coming days. Watch this space 👀

We have a limited number of the latest West Midland Bird Club Annual Report for 2024 in stock. £14.95 instore or £19.95 incl. P&P. 🔽 www.birders-store.co.uk/the-birds-of...

We are delighted to be holding the WMBC Open Day next door to @RSPBMiddleton! 🦆🔭 We have a programme of walks led by volunteer guides, who will introduce you to the wildlife of this fantastic reserve. Walks will last  ~1.5 hours  start and finish at Middleton Hall (1/3)

Grimley all done on 96 for the #WestMidsAlldayer. Great day as ever 👍

Bartley and Frankley finished on 68(!) species, a new record for the patch. Six observers. Highlights - Whimbrel and LRP found by @stuhares.bsky.social on the concrete at Bartley Res. 4 showy Lesser Whitethroat. Crossbill and a very obliging mid-morning Tawny Owl. #westmidsalldayer

Finished at Puxton on 59 species in the all dayer, well short of the 68 record. #westmidsalldayer #worcsbirds

#MortonBagot re-entered the #westmidsalldayer yesterday and after many collective hours in the field got to a decent score of 66 species. I even got a #PWC2026 Yellow Wagtail for my year list.

Edgbaston reservoir crew finished up on 59 for the #westmidsalldayer yesterday. Most obviously missed out on House Martin Pair of Whimbrel is always a superb record for urban brum, so no complaints Very enjoyable as usual. Well done all those who took part. #UKbirding

Birmingham City Surprise female Wheatear Black Redstarts Kingfisher Great! @westmidbirdclub.bsky.social @ecorecord.bsky.social @ukrbbp.bsky.social

Enforced ending to my #westmidsalldayer unfortunately. Ended on 64 species of which i saw 62. Not the best year. Highlight was 1st Hobby of year and Cuckoo @staffsbirdnews.bsky.social @westmidbirdclub.bsky.social

Smestow Valley 80 species (record total) #westmidsalldayer Cattle Egret, Corn Bunting, Cetti's, Grasshopper & Reed Warblers, Wheatear, Grey & Red-legged Partridges, Hobby, Gadwall & Ring-necked Parakeet @westmidbirdclub.bsky.social

Quite slow going at Puxton on the #WestMidsAllDayer just 57 species so far. Hopefully can get to at least 60 when I go out later.

Grimley (Worcs) currently on 96, Garganey pair still on CLP #westmidsalldayer

Sloooooooow! #uptonwarren has reached 80 for #westmidsalldayer with the addition of Red Kite, Bullfinch & Grey Wag.

Did Blithfield 05:00-15:00. A proper good mooch by our small team of 5 reached 98 species so far. Other members still on site #westmidsalldayer

Smestow Valley 75 species at 1pm ##westmidsalldayer Red-legged Partridge, Little Owl, Gadwall, Hobby & Ring-necked Parakeet added @pmandrews1973.bsky.social @westmidbirdclub.bsky.social

13.00 update on the #westmidsalldayer at Whitemoor Haye and @tamebirding.bsky.social has added House Martin to the list, making it 60. Tough going so won't be long before I disappear for a couple of hours, ready for laye afysrnoon/evening @staffsbirdnews.bsky.social @westmidbirdclub.bsky.social

Don't forget it's the West Midlands All Dayer tomorrow! See how many bird species can be found on your patch in 24 hours 💪 Share your results by using #westmidsalldayer

Tame Valley Beaver records from WMBC Ladywalk Nature Reserve. To accompany article in the WMBC March edition. youtu.be/L5MqFkzMA_g

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 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

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! ✨

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

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.

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 🌳🦆🐦

2 Black Redstarts in Lichfield. Birds are visiting various gardens and streets. Remember its an urban area,I had permission to access a property to get these pics @staffsbirdnews.bsky.social @westmidbirdclub.bsky.social

It is with great sadness that we have learned of the death of our oldest and well-loved member, Eric Samuel Clare, or Sam as he was known to some of you. He passed away peacefully at his Alrewas home in the early hours of Monday 13th October.

Bourn Brook dazzling Kingfisher in the rain Yday Birmingham City Black Redstart sat on a red car😃 Great! @westmidbirdclub.bsky.social @ecorecord.bsky.social #birds #wmbirds #ukbirds

Whitemoor Haye this am. 1 of 2. C130 lapwing, c60 cormorant, 1 cettis warbler, 6 grey heron, 130 mallard, 1 swallow, 12 egyptian geese, 7 shoveler, 1 raven, 61 pochard, 3 snipe, 48 tufted duck 10 teal, 23 mute swan, 11 great white egret. @staffsbirdnews.bsky.social @westmidbirdclub.bsky.social

Good views of the White-rumped Sandpiper at Blithfield Reservoir along Admaston Reach this afternoon; also Black-necked Grebe south of the causeway but no sign of the Spoonbill. Pair of glasses left on the gate to Blithe Bay @staffsbirdnews.bsky.social @westmidbirdclub.bsky.social

Richard King of West Midlands Bird Club @westmidbirdclub.bsky.social notes where it is still possible to hear skylarks singing at a disused airport in the Midlands

Come and join the Stafford Branch coffee morning on Saturday 8th November! ☕ A great chance to meet like-minded people, followed by an optional birding trip to Doxey Marshes 🦆 No need to book, just turn up!

Great to see a Glossy Ibis making it's debut appearance at Wildgoose Reserve last week! 🤩 Find out more about Wildgoose on our website: www.westmidlandbirdclub.org.uk/wildgoose-re... 📸 Photo by Rob (Wildgoose Rural Training)

Whitemoor Haye this am. 2 of 2. 6 great white egret. 5 grey heron, 1 kingfisher, 1 raven, 3 goldcrest, 14 greenfinch, c20 house martin and c10 swallow, 2 stonechat, 47 wigeon, 5 yellowhammer, 1 snipe, 6 little egret. @staffsbirdnews.bsky.social @westmidbirdclub.bsky.social

….a bit of last light Snipe photography this eve, after checking in with the Stewardship mowing contractor @westmidbirdclub.bsky.social Belvide Reserve, Staffs. Now all ready for the winter season refill. 👍🏻