BTO Blog

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Our blog offers specialist insight and unique perspective from a wide range of BTO staff, volunteers and guest writers, giving context and inviting discussion on various aspects of our work. It includes:

Blogs on specific topics

A blog for World Wetlands Day 2024, on 2 February.
Featured blog post

The value of wetlands for our mental health

02 Feb 2024

With so many stories about the climate and biodiversity crises, immersing ourselves in nature gives us a sense of optimism and hope, and helps us to continue our work to help secure the future of birds in the UK. 

Blog Series

Attendees and staff of the 2019 Bardsey Young Birders’ Week - Steve Stansfield
BLOG

Volunteering at a Bird Observatory

Louis Driver shares his experiences of volunteering at Bardsey Bird Observatory, supported by the Young Bird Observatory Volunteer programme.

29 Jan 2020

Short-eared Owl tagging. Chris Wernham
BLOG

Tracking Short-eared Owls: Notes from the field

Why would anyone choose to spend a winter’s night out on a cold Orkney moor? Ben Darvill gives an insight into the dedication of Short-eared Owl fieldworkers, and their amazing discoveries.

28 Jan 2020

Andy Clements birding. Bruce Miller
BLOG

Widening BTO's appeal

Andy Clements, BTO's Chief Executive, looks at how BTO can engage new audiences.

20 Dec 2019

Meadow. Luke Hawkins
BLOG

The British Patch

Luke Hawkins introduces us to his patch and explains why he loves patch birding.

11 Dec 2019

Redwings. Jonathan Heath
BLOG

Nocmig: A beginner's guide

Jonathan Heath explains how nocmigging is changing the way he views the birds around him.

08 Nov 2019

Whinchats at Kilnsea. Arjun Dutta
BLOG

BTO's Young Leaders Course

The attendees of BTO's Young Leaders Course reflect on what they learned at Spurn.

05 Aug 2019

Young Leaders Course at Spurn. Jonnie Fisk
BLOG

Gen Z and the BTO

Amy Hall discusses how BTO can better provide opportunities for the next generation of ornithologists. 

22 Nov 2019

Nightingale. Edmund Fellowes
BLOG

Unlocking the science to reveal the state of nature

David Noble takes a sober look at the latest State of Nature Report.

02 Oct 2019

Blue Tit. Peter@ stock.adobe.com
BLOG

Garden birds: to feed or not to feed?

Almost half of the households in the UK feed their garden birds. But should we? Dr Kate Plummer explores the effects of feeding on bird populations.

20 Sep 2019

Kentish Plover (by vinx83 / Adobe Stock)
BLOG

A new president, a renewed purpose?

As BTO's new president, Frank talks about his birding background and what he values about BTO

12 Aug 2019

Buzzard. Dave M Hunt (adobe stock)
BLOG

What effect might annual releases of non-native gamebirds be having on native biodiversity?

Henrietta Pringle reveals the work behind a recent paper on gamebirds and predation.

02 Jul 2019

Jay. Sarah Kelman
BLOG

General licences and BTO

Andy Clements, BTO Chief Executive, sets out BTO’s position regarding the current debate about wildlife licensing.

03 May 2019

BBS volunteers. David Tipling
BLOG

Promoting BTO science — walking the line

Can we move and inspire people with passionate, powerful communications without compromising our impartiality and scientific credentials?

01 May 2019

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We are putting together a special issue of the BTO journal Bird Study to bring together research documenting the HPAI outbreak and its impacts on wild birds.
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Bird ID (3 sessions, Wednesdays 10am)

The training involves three weekly online modules, with a large interactive component and complemented by supported self-study exercises. We place a strong emphasis on providing you with tools and techniques that will...