West Midland Bird Club
The Birmingham and Black Country Black Redstart Research Group came together through the 'Birmingham and Black Country Local Biodiversity Action Plan' (LBAP) species action plan for Black Redstarts in that area. Their aim is to maintain and increase numbers of Black Redstarts in the West Midlands through research, awareness raising and direct conservation measures. The group consists of representatives from the Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust, West Midland Bird Club, RSPB and local authorities.
The group is working on the following initiatives:
- Co-ordinating an on-going monitoring programme which identifies individual birds, breeding territories and sites which have the potential for breeding birds.
- Looking at the possibility of wintering Black Redstarts in this area.
- Creation of best practice guidance for developers and for local planning authorities to put into place suitable monitoring, structures and habitat features if particular developments might impact on Black Redstarts.
- Supporting the Wildlife Trust nest box scheme across the West Midlands county, to help improve breeding success for Black Redstarts.
- Running training events with organisations and individuals who can help with the survey work.
- Raising public awareness of Black Redstarts through guided walks and events.
The group would welcome support from local birdwatchers who can help their work in several ways:
- Firstly by assisting with survey work (mostly between April and June). Many areas of the West Midlands county still need to be checked, especially East Birmingham, the Black Country and Wolverhampton.
- If you can spare a few hours to help, please contact Stefan Bodnar on (0121) 464 2654 or e-mail: stefan.bodnar@birmingham.gov.uk.
- If you can help with the black redstart nest box scheme, please contact Paul Stephenson at the Wildlife Trust on (0121) 454 1199 or e-mail paul.s@bbcwildlife.org.uk.
- Report sightings of Black Redstarts to the relevant County Recorder.
![[Link to large version of picture of Black Redstart]](../images/gallery/MooreJ/BlackRedstart20021104t.jpg "Black Redstart at Draycote Water. © John Moore")