Courtesy and copyright of the BBC here is the tribute to Bill Oddie aired on 27 July 2026.

We are terribly sad to learn of the passing of Bill Oddie and our hearts go out to his family and friends who will be heartbroken by this news. Whilst so many know him as a comic, entertainer and brilliant naturalist, we in the West Midland Bird Club, know him as one of our own and as a keen lifelong birder. In fact, few people have had such a long, distinguished and enduring association with the West Midland Bird Club as Bill Oddie. Bill's love affair with birds began during his childhood...

Relationships with key personnel at Patshull remain very positive, and much conservation work has been done; in summary:- • most of the...

My home patch lies on the southern edge of Birmingham and straddles the West Midlands - Worcestershire county boundary. Sightings of Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus in this area have, for many years, been regular although not necessarily frequent. Given that this species breeds and frequents the Birmingham area, it’s not surprising that this should be the case, however, in recent years their occurrence in my home patch has increased considerably. An electricity pylon line is located nearby...

The main aim of ringing birds is the hope that they are caught or found again, thereby giving information regarding their movements, survival and potentially breeding success. Such data contribute towards studies of population changes and our understanding of species declines, growths and changes in range. Since the British and Irish Ringing Scheme was ‘hatched’ in 1909, nearly 50 million birds have been ringed and over one million have been recovered (recaught alive or found dead) – i.e. the...

Full report available for download here:

Jack Snipe – probably our most elusive and least understood bird. Breeding in northern Eurasia, Jack Snipe are winter visitors to the...