Welcome to Cheltenham Bird Club. Founded in 1975, we have over 80 members ranging from expert birders to people just enjoying watching the birds in their gardens to new birdwatchers keen to learn more.

Cheltenham Bird Club is a group of friendly people interested in watching wild birds and learning more about them. We have field trips, indoor meetings and local walks designed to support people new to birdwatching.

From October to March we have weekly indoor meetings with talks about subjects such as ‘The reintroduction of white-tailed sea eagles’ or ‘The Science of Starling Murmurations’. There’s then a break for hot drinks and a chance to socialise before we return to our seats to share information about latest bird sightings. Sometimes there is a further short talk about things like the pros and cons of feeding garden birds. All indoor meetings are held at Belmont School off Warden Hill Road, GL51 3AT. Visitors are welcome and pay just £5. Annual membership covering all indoor meetings and field trips is £30.

Twice a year we have a bring and share party, and the field trip in December incorporates a Christmas lunch.

Field trips are arranged monthly from September to June to well-known birding sites around Gloucestershire and further afield. For all meetings it is very useful to know if you intend coming in case of last minute changes and to try and sort out car sharing especially for those trips at some distance from Cheltenham. Please register your interest in a field trip by clicking on mailto:fieldtrips.cheltenhambirdclub@gmail.com.

Local trips are usually ‘long’ mornings with more distant sites being all day. Bring food and drink to suit. None of these sites are especially hard walking but obviously inclement weather is always possible – be prepared. Lift sharing is encouraged. With regard to shared travel, we would like to remind all members that this is undertaken at their own risk and a contribution to fuel costs is appreciated.