The Lower Cape Fear Bird Club was established in September 1979 in an effort to further local interests in birds in the southeastern region of North Carolina. In the 1950’s and early 60’s, the Wilmington Natural Science Club devoted programs to birds, plants, and other areas of natural sciences. This club was discontinued in the 70's.
During the period between clubs there was no organization in the area providing opportunity to study birds, the only serious birding activities were connected with the Audubon Christmas and Spring Bird Counts. The Counts were sponsored by the Carolina Bird Club and reported in its journal, "The Chat". However, it was well recognized that the Wilmington area was a prime birding location. The reason is due to the fact that the location is far enough South to include a variety of northernmost southern species and just enough North to contain breeding birds at the southern end of their range. Examples:
Ovenbird Painted Bunting
include Ovenbirds which breed at the southeast extent of their range in the lower Cape Fear Region, and Painted Buntings which are near their northeast breeding range.
In the summer of 1979, Dr. James Parnell, Professor of Biology at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, contacted Greg Massey and a few other local briders. Subsequently, the Lower Cape Fear Bird Club was organized and chartered in September of that year with the goal of promoting the study of birds in southeastern North Carolina. Dr. Parnell conducted the first program on September 25, 1979, with the subject of "Fall Bird Migration". Greg Massey led a local field trip to the Fort Fisher region, the following weekend. Thus started the club with a membership of 20 –25 individuals.
With the establishment of the club, a local birding "Hotline" was initiated and numerous field trips were planned on a monthly basis.
Since 1979 the club has met regularly each month during the school year and sponsered field trips most months. The club has sponsered a Christmas Count each year. The LCFBC co-sponsored , with the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, the annual meetings of the Wilson Ornithological Society in 1984 and has hosted several seasonal gatherings of the Carolina Bird Club.