Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club: A Legacy of Avian Science
The Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club is a distinguished scientific journal dedicated to ornithology—the biological study of birds. Published by the British Ornithologists' Club (BOC) in the United Kingdom, this publication has served as a critical record for avian research and the formal description of bird species new to science for over a century.
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Key Facts
- Founded: 1892
- Publisher: British Ornithologists' Club (UK)
- Frequency: Quarterly
- Current Editor: Guy Kirwan (since 2004)
- Access Model: Online-only and open access since March 2017
- ISSN: 0007-1595 (print) / 2513-9894 (web)
Evolution of the Publication
Since its inception in 1892, the Bulletin has been a cornerstone of ornithological literature. For most of its history, it was distributed as a hard-copy journal. However, starting with Volume 137, Issue 1 in March 2017, the publication transitioned to an online-only, open access format. Open access means the research is freely available to the public without subscription barriers.
The British Ornithologists' Club cited three primary drivers for this digital shift: the evolving trends in academic publishing, a gradual decline in the readership of physical copies, and the organization's commitment to its public benefit charitable responsibilities.
Editorial Leadership and History
The journal has been guided by a long succession of honorary editors who have shaped its scientific direction. From its first editor, Richard Bowdler Sharpe, to the current editor, Guy Kirwan, the leadership has maintained the journal's standing in the global scientific community.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Discipline | Ornithology |
| ISO 4 Abbreviation | Bull. Br. Ornithol. Club |
| Publication Cycle | Quarterly |
| Digital Archive | Biodiversity Heritage Library (Vols 1–136) |
Chronology of Editors
The following list details the tenure of the editors who have managed the Bulletin since 1892:
- Richard Bowdler Sharpe (1892–1904)
- W. R. Ogilvie-Grant (1904–1914)
- David Armitage Bannerman (1914–1915)
- D. Seth-Smith (1915–1920)
- Percy R. Lowe (1920–1925)
- Norman B. Kinnear (1925–1930)
- G. Carmichael Low (1930–1935, 1940–1945)
- C. H. B. Grant (1935–1940, 1947–1952)
- W. P. C. Tenison (1945–1947)
- J. G. Harrison (1952–1961)
- J.J. Yealland (1962–1969)
- C.W. Benson (1969–1974)
- Hugh Elliott (1974–1975)
- J.F. Monk (1976–1990)
- D.W. Snow (1991–1997)
- C.J. Feare (1997–2003)
- G.M. Kirwan (2004–Present)
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club start?
The journal was first published in 1892.
Is the journal still printed in hard copy?
No. As of March 2017 (Volume 137, No. 1), the journal became an online-only publication.
Who is the current editor of the Bulletin?
Guy Kirwan has served as the honorary editor since 2004.
Where can I find archived volumes of the journal?
Volumes 1 through 136 (covering 1892 to 2016) are available through the Biodiversity Heritage Library.
Why did the journal move to an open access model?
The change was made to align with current academic publishing trends, address the decline in hard-copy readership, and fulfill the club's public benefit charitable responsibilities.