Bird enthusiasts are being urged to book early for a day-long conference on ornithology – the first of its kind to be held in Birmingham.

Entitled Birds, Boxes, Climate and Cuckoos, the conference on Saturday, November 17 is being organised jointly by the West Midland Bird Club (WMBC) and the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO).

There will be six speakers talking on a wide range of topics, including the impact of new energy sources on British birds, ringing activities in the West Midlands and the tracking and recording of invasive species.

WMBC member Graham Harrison will speak about the changing avifauna of the West Midlands, and Jim Winsper, also a WMBC member, will be asking whether gulls are the new urban menace.

“This is a really exciting event,” said Martin Kenrick, WMBC chairman. “As we know, changes in our climate and farming methods are having an impact on birds and other wildlife and this conference will explore some of the issues facing the bird population in the West Midlands.

“The region is home to a wide and diverse range of birds and we also get a lot of migratory visitors – so we’re hoping this conference will help to give us a clearer picture of how our birds are faring, and what the future holds for them.

“As this is the first conference of its kind, we’re expecting a full house, so we’d encourage people to book early.”

Anyone with an interest in birds is welcome to attend the conference at Bournville College, Longbridge, which runs from 9.30am until 4pm. Tickets, which cost £18 and include coffee, tea and a buffet lunch, must be booked in advance.

Booking forms can be downloaded via the WMBC website, www.westmidlandbirdclub.com/conference-2012 , or obtained from Samantha Graham on 01842 750050.