About the WMBC

The Club established Branches for the first time. The Club produced the first edition of a regular newsletter, known initially as the Bulletin, now titled WMBC News. First official access rights granted to Belvide Reservoir (formerly Bellfields) and Gailey Reservoirs.

West Midland Bird Distribution Survey published – forerunner to the BTO’s national bird atlases.

Tony Norris, Club secretary at the time, helped to set up a bird observatory on Bardsey. The Club and Bardsey have had a close relationship ever since.

Club celebrated its Silver Jubilee with a dinner at the Grand Hotel.

Name changed to West Midland Bird Club in recognition that the Club now covered the whole of Staffordshire.

Revised Birds of Staffordshire published. This updated Smith’s Birds of Staffordshire published in 1938.

Club became a registered charity. This enabled it to benefit from the tax paid on covenanted subscriptions, now known as Gift Aid.

First official access rights granted to Blithfield Reservoir.

Membership reached 1,000 for the first time.

First major publication - The Atlas of Breeding Birds in the West Midlands.

First official access rights granted to Ladywalk.

Golden Jubilee celebrated with a buffet reception at the Banqueting Suite in the Council House in the presence of the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress.

Fred Dale Reserve in Wyre Forest acquired jointly with Worcestershire Wildlife Trust. Subsequently transferred to the Wildlife Trust.

Second major publication - The Birds of the West Midlands. An analysis of the habitats, sites and occurrence of all species recorded in the Region.

Club became fully computerised, aiding administration by facilitating the processing of both members and bird records.

Hotline established, providing up-to-date bird news.

Diamond Jubilee celebrated with a buffet reception at the Banqueting Suite in the Council House in the presence of the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress.

The Club welcomed its 2,000th member for the first time.

First official access rights granted to Harborne Reserve.

First website created.

Latest major publication - The New Birds of the West Midlands. An updated analysis of the habitats, sites and occurrence of all species recorded in the Region.

Change of Constitution to convert the Club from an unincorporated association into a Charitable Incorporated Organisation.