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Meet WMBC Kestrels
WMBC Kestrels
A birding group for young people aged 8-17
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Birding for young people
The WMBC Kestrels is a group for young people to go birding with people of their own generation. The group is open to young people from 8 to 17 and is a great opportunity to make like-minded friends and learn about birding & nature at the same time.
Events are planned all over the region, so everyone can attend and with one or two events every month, there will always be something to look forward to. The events will be led by experienced birders who know their area and can take the group to brilliant birding spots so you’ll be learning about top birding locations as well as about birds too.
To take part, either the young person, or their parent or guardian coming along with them, must be a member of the club, but you can try it out for two sessions without becoming a club member first if you want to ’try before you buy’.
It’s easy to join. Just get your parent or guardian to send an email to Kestrels@WestMidlandBirdClub.org.uk and ask to join, stating you name and age. Our WMBC Kestrels leader will be delighted to add you to the list so you’re invited to future events.
We’ve got all sorts of events planned, whether it’s bird walks around great sites, learning how to draw field sketches of birds, attending a bird ringing demo, or learning a new skill. Our experienced team will show you the best of birding in the West Midlands region of Warwickshire, Worcestershire, West Midlands county and Staffordshire.
All events will be organised through the parent or guardian so they’ll know what events are going on and you can decide between you which you’d like to attend. Sometimes, if there are more people who’d like to go along than there are spaces, then it may be first come first served, but we’ll make sure that everyone gets to attend events.
At the events you and your parent guardian will be very welcome as all young persons must be accompanied. Where more than one young person from a family wants to come along then we can accommodate up to 3 young people from a family per parent or guardian from that family. From previous experience, we reckon the adults will enjoy it just as much.
It won’t just be our own reserves, there are lots of great birding spots. Occasionally we may need to park nearby and carpool to the actual site if there’s limited parking. It’s all about the best birding.
The WMBC Kestrels is one of two options for young people although some may do both. There is also the WMBC Young Birder’s Academy which is a one-year learning programme for young people aged 9 to 13 at the start of the year which includes weekly zoom classroom sessions as well as field sessions. It’s a great way for young people to learn skills and gain experience that older birders take years to achieve. The WMBC Kestrels are different as it doesn’t have the classroom element, it’s simply about going birding, doing nature related activities with other young people and making friends.
How to join and how to join in
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Key Information about the WMBC Kestrels
CONTACT: Scott Winton (WMBC Kestrels Leader)
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EMAIL: kestrels@westmidlandbirdclub.org.uk
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AGE RANGE: Ages 8 to 17 years old
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: A wide range of events for young people to experience the best of birding in the West Midlands while making friends and having fun.
Join Us
Become a member
As a WMBC member, you get access to our reserves, invitations to indoor and outdoor birdwatching activities, our quarterly newsletter, and the annual bird report and much more. Enjoy bird photography, see rare species, and connect with fellow bird enthusiasts in our vibrant community.
