Dec 17, 2016 4 min read

WHEELING, W.Va. – The friendships and camaraderie formed through the Brooks Bird Club have stood the test of time – as many of the club’s members are second- and third-generation.

Named after the late A.B. Brooks, who was Oglebay Institute’s original naturalist, and founded in 1932 at Oglebay Park, the Brooks Bird Club has promoted the study of birds and many other elements of nature for decades. The local chapter of this educational, nonprofit organization meets monthly at the Schrader Environmental Education Center in Oglebay and at their annual foray at one of the state parks, according to members Albert “Jay” Buckelew of Bethany and Carl Slater of Bellaire.

“He inspired a group of young people at the time who eventually formed the Brooks Bird Club, and all of its present day activities stem from that,” Buckelew said of Brooks.

Buckelew said each chapter of the club (around the state) has its own officers and meets on the third Tuesday every month. He said it’s not uncommon for a member to move to another region of the country and continue to keep their membership.

“We have one member who has come back from Texas a number of times for our summer foray – a week-long camping thing we do in the mountains every year,” said Buckelew. “We have a bird walk for sure, and oftentimes people are looking for flowers and things.”

Buckelew said while their main interest focuses on the study of birds, many of their members have general interests in nature. “There’s usually a few people who are interested in butterflies, reptiles, amphibians and mammals.

There’s always two or three people who want to go out and find fungi and mushrooms – and there are lots of flowering plant people at our forays,” he added.

Buckelew said when they participate in a bird count, every member of the group will go out within a 25 mile radius and count every single bird and every species of birds they can find. He said during last year’s bird count – 39 observers from the local chapter found 62 species and counted more than 40,000 individual birds.

“Of course the camaraderie and friendships are very important,” said Buckelew. He said it’s not unusual to see members that are second and third generation participating in the club. He said while they participate in a lot of studies, just the mere fact of getting outside and enjoying the beauty of nature makes most of what they do a lot of fun.

Slater said while the club stays as regimented as possible with their scientific studies they still try and cover as many interests as possible for all their club members.

With hundreds of members, the club continues to undertake and publish articles and studies in several publications that have lasting scientific value, according to Buckelew and Slater.

They document and publish bird population and breeding surveys that club members participate in around the state.

“The Birding Guide to West Virginia,” published in 2009 by the Brooks Bird Club, is one such guide that highlights the most productive and reliable spots to find many of the over 300 bird species that have been recorded for West Virginia. In addition they publish a monthly state wide scientific journal called “The Redstart,” and a newsletter for all club members. Slater said the club also exchanges data from their scientific journals with nearly 80 other organizations, including the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources. The group will revisit many of the state parks over the years just to study any trends that may occur around the state.

Buckelew said anyone who might be interested in joining the local chapter should feel free to attend one of their meetings. He said they typically hold a potluck supper, followed by an 8 p.m program on the third Tuesday of every month at the Schrader Center during the winter months. He said during the warmer months they hold the meetings at a local park shelter or a club member’s home. He said many times they will enjoy a bird and nature walk during the summer months.

“We’re a little more outdoor-oriented in the summer,” he added.