BTO is the UK's leading Registered Charity working with volunteers to improve our knowledge of birds through monitoring and research. www.bto.org
Romelly has joined the BTO NI team for the summer to gather data for her undergrad dissertation investigating public perceptions of urban gulls. If you live in Northern Ireland, we'd really appreciate it if you would consider filling out this survey to help with the research. bit.ly/NIUrbanGulls
Asking for a friend: what sort of guidance, evidence, or support would help you implement more bird-friendly management in your green spaces? 🐦🌳 @btobirds.bsky.social wants to hear from local authorities, friends groups, and land managers before 31 July - Take the survey
Thanks @bou.org.uk for the opportunity to write a bit about our ongoing PIGEON SCIENCE 🕊️ including work funded by @btobirds.bsky.social @scottishbirding.bsky.social @britishbirds.bsky.social 🐦
British Ornithologists’ Union (BOU)NEW on #theBOUblog from Will Smith The secret lives of Outer Hebridean Rock Doves: What can we learn from studying the wild counterparts of domesticated pigeons? bou.org.uk/blog-smit... Based on this paper doi.org/10.1093/orni... #ornithology 🪶
With recent heatwaves a reminder that our planet is changing, a new report by the RSPB and @btobirds.bsky.social explores how the climate crisis is already affecting the UK’s birds, and why restoring nature is key to their future, as well as ours. 🌍🌡️ www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happen...
Mediterranean Gull breeding abundance increased from 135 to 2,311 AON in the UK & Ireland between Seabird 2000 and Seabirds Count. Help us continue to monitor this expanding population by submitting your breeding data to the SMP! #Seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social
The BBS coverage in Scotland has been relatively consistent for the last five years. However, there is a possibility that we might achieve the best year on record. If you haven’t already done so, please enter your BBS data by 31 August! @btobirds.bsky.social @btoscotland.bsky.social #Ornithology
Sean Bean reacts to being 'one of a select few' to have a cuckoo bird named after him bit.ly/3RrHGna
Train to London, catching up on reading. BTO News read cover-to-cover as usual. Masterclass series is a brilliant example of asking world experts to convey science in an accessible way. Lots I learned about bird sleep, and it bust a long-held myth! #Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social @maxplanck.de
(1/) Have you ever wondered how common bird monitoring is done in other parts of Europe? Data from the Pan European Common Bird Monitoring Scheme (PECBMS), of which BBS feeds into, yields some fascinating results. Today, we focus on Czechia… @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social
(1/) As the results from the Heathland Birds Survey have recently been published, for the next few weeks, we are going to focus on some heathland specialists. Woodlark has increased by 29% across the UK! Survey results: www.bto.org/our-work/new... @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social
Listen to Britain’s dawn chorus of 1976: the dramatic loss of birdsong in 50 years
Listen to Britain’s dawn chorus of 1976: the dramatic loss of birdsong in 50 yearsGuardian recreates audio landscape of past filled by loud morning symphony before 73m wild birds were lostwww.theguardian.com
A new report shows climate change is already impacting UK bird populations. Upland birds & seabirds face steep declines in their numbers underlining the need for action, while some southern species are expanding their ranges. Find out more: www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happen... @btobirds.bsky.social 🪶
Climate change is already impacting UK bird populationsA new RSPB and British Trust for Ornithology report looks at the impacts on UK birds and the actions we can take to protect them.www.rspb.org.ukThe Wider Countryside Butterfly Survey season has now begun! You can make a minimum of two additional visits to your BBS square to count butterflies and other invertebrates, using a similar methodology. Please email: bbs@bto.org for more information. @btobirds.bsky.social @ukbms.bsky.social
UKBMSToday is the start of the Wider Countryside Butterfly Survey! This volunteer scheme monitors butterflies across 1900 randomly allocated 1km squares across the UK. The core survey runs from now until the end of August, providing crucial data on butterflies. Get involved ⬇️ buff.ly/YLnZSVB
(1/) As the 2026 BBS & WBBS survey season draws to a close, we would like to share our newly updated BBS Volunteer Stories page: www.bto.org/get-involved... If you would like to share your experience of surveying a square or stretch, please email us on bbs@bto.org! @btobirds.bsky.social
The first 2026 Breeding Success records have been submitted to SMP! These include positive records for Common Tern and Black-headed Gull. We look forward to seeing more records as the season advances. Don't forget to submit yours! #Seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social
It’s Swift Awareness Week! Sadly, the iconic Swift (Apus apus) dropped in numbers across the UK by over two thirds between 1995 and 2024. Find out more about this aerobatic species on our BirdFacts pages: www.bto.org/learn/about-... @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social
New data on insect pollinators show a dramatic decline in hoverflies across Great Britain between 2017–2024. 📉 Around one third reduction in abundance & number of hoverfly species recorded as part of @pomscheme.bsky.social www.ceh.ac.uk/press/new-da... 1/ @jncc.bsky.social 🧪
(1/) One introduced species that has increased across the UK is the brightly coloured Ring-necked Parakeet. The BBS abundance trend shows a UK increase of 2,696% 1995–2024, with a huge increase in range. @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social #Ornithology #INNSweek
Three of Britain's most charismatic heathland birds have continued their recovery, according to the results of a major survey conducted almost 20 years after the previous assessment:
Heathland Birds Survey reveals encouraging gains for specialist speciesA nationwide survey conducted by the BTO has revealed significant increases in the populations of European Nightjar, Woodlark and Dartford Warbler, highlighting the importance of targeted habitat management and protected heathland sites.bit.ly