Taking part

Taking part

If you are interested in taking part as a counter, please read through this guidance and instructions. It covers where the sites are, types of counts, time and skills required, how the survey is organised, how to get involved, how to sign up and how to return your data. 

Where are the survey sites?

WeBS sites are pre-defined survey areas across the UK. Sites include wetlands of all types, be it an estuary, lake or reservoir to a river, stream or even a local village duck pond.

Many of the larger sites are regularly counted, but high priority vacant count areas do appear from time to time. However, even counts from small waterbodies are important.

If you wish to count a completely new site, please contact the WeBS Office at webs@bto.org or get in touch with your Local Organiser to discuss.

What type of counts are carried out?

There are two main counts which make up WeBS:

  • Core Counts are the principal part of the Wetland Bird Survey, and encompass monthly survey visits to around 2,850 wetland sites of all habitats. The visits are made monthly, principally from September to March, with fewer observations during the summer months.
  • See the Core Count Priority Dates page for the latest dates.
  • Low Tide Counts aim to monitor, assess and regularly update information on the relative importance of intertidal feeding areas of UK estuaries for wintering waterbirds, complementing the information gathered by WeBS Core Counts.

How much time does it take? 

The survey involves visiting a local wetland site once a month throughout the winter, and counting the waterbirds there. This can take a few hours at large sites. 

We do welcome counts from all months of the year, but the main period we ask our counters to concentrate on is September through to March.

What skills are required?

Anyone can take part, even beginners to birdwatching. Unlike many bird surveys, you don't have to know bird songs or calls to carry out WeBS Counts - just the ability to identify common waterbirds. This might be a few common species at a small lake or river, or it might be a wide range of species at a coastal site with many habitats present.

Boost your skills

  • BTO runs a number of 1-day and weekend training courses, centred on teaching bird survey techniques.
  • Your WeBS Local Organiser can also advise you on local training and mentoring opportunities.

How is the survey organised?

The survey is organised via a network of voluntary Local Organisers (LOs). Your LO will give you more information, and will be able to allocate you a WeBS site to count.

Filling out the LO contact form will put you in touch with your volunteer Local Organiser. There are 140 of these, each covering a region such as a county or estuary. If there are no vacant sites near you but you are keen to get involved, contact the relevant Local Organiser who may be able to set up a new site for you or add you to an existing team.

When you have been assigned a site as a new counter you will receive a new starter pack with more details of the methods. After registering for the After registering for the WeBS Online data entry system you will be set up for your count sector by your Local Organiser and be able to add your counts each month and see all the previous data for the site.

How do I get involved?

Find a site

If you are interested in taking part as a counter, the first step is to use the vacant sites map tool to see if there are any sites in need of help near you.

Once you have found a site you would like to monitor, you can register your interest via the same map tool by selecting 'Contact the Local Organiser' button and completing the form. The Local Organiser will get in touch to talk to you about the survey and the site before allocating the site to you.

  • If you have a site in mind that does not appear on the vacant sites map, you can contact your Local Organiser to discuss setting up a new area.

Register for WeBS

Once a site has been agreed, you will need to register for WeBS Online as either a new or an existing online user, then send your username to your Local Organiser so they can allocate the site to you.

If you already have a MyBTO account: 

  • Log in to MyBTO
  • Then look for the Wetland Bird Survey under "Sign Up for Projects" and click "Register".

If you don't have a MyBTO account: 

View the resources

Visit the Counter Resources section for more information about the scheme and bird ID videos.

How do I return my data?

WeBS Online is the easiest and most convenient way to send your data to us.

All counters receive a summary annual report and an annual newsletter by post each year and are contributing to the understanding and conservation of our internationally important waterbird populations.

Other questions

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