BTO Research Reports are scientific papers that have been self-published by the BTO. The following is a full list of the published BTO research reports. Most are free to download, and links to Abstracts are included where possible.
Numbers missing from the list are those allocated but which were never produced or which have not been published. BTO recognises that, particularly in respect of commercially sensitive cases, a period of confidentiality is appropriate for some projects. However, in the interests of scientific development and dissemination of information, we encourage clients to permit publication as soon as it is reasonable to do so.
- If you wish to purchase a physical copy of a report please contact researchreports@bto.org.
- More information about our Annual Service reports to JNCC 1992-2005.
Assessment of recent Hen Harrier population trends in England through population modelling
This study uses a population modelling approach to explore the effects of changes in rates of productivity, survival, and settlement on population growth in the English population of Hen Harriers.
Search
Leakage of plastics and other debris from landfills to a highly protected lake by wintering gulls
Author: Martín Vélez, V., Cano-Povedano, J., Cañuelo-Jurado, B., López-Calderón, C., Céspedes, V., Ros, M., Sánchez, M.I., Shamoun-Baranes, J., Müller, W., Thaxter, C.B., Camphuysen, C.J., Cózar & Green, A.J.
Published: 2024
Accumulation of plastic and waste contamination in the natural environment is a growing problem, but little is known of the role animals play in transporting plastics (a process known as ‘biovectoring’) particularly to inland waters and habitats. This study used diet sampling, population monitoring and GPS tracking data of Lesser Black-backed Gulls to monitor the transport of plastics and anthropogenic debris from landfills to an inland reservoir in Spain.
01.04.24
Papers
The benefits of protected areas for bird population trends may depend on their condition
Author: Brighton, C.H., Massimino, D., Boersch-Supan, P., Barnes, A.E., Martay, B., Bowler, D.E., Hoskins, H.M.J. & Pearce-Higgins, J.W.
Published: 2024
BTO-led research highlights the importance of the quality of protected areas in their effectiveness.
28.03.24
Papers
BirdTrends 2023
Author: Massimino, D., Woodward, I.D., Barber, L., Barimore, C., Harris, S.J., Leech, D.I., Noble, D.G., Walker, R.H., Baillie, S.R. & Robinson, R.A.
Published: 2024
The BirdTrends 2023 report is a one-stop shop for authoritative information about the population status of the common breeding birds of the wider UK countryside. The report is based on data gathered by the many thousands of volunteers who contribute to BTO-led surveys.Previous BirdTrends reports, up to and including BirdTrends 2022, included species pages displaying the latest information on trends in population size, breeding performance and survival rates for 121 species, as measured by our long-term monitoring schemes.The species information contained in previous BirdTrends reports has now been incorporated into BirdFacts, which provides a one-stop, easy-access location to review all the existing knowledge that is available about all the species found in the UK.However, the BirdTrends report itself continues to provide an overall summary of current trends in more than 120 UK bird species and is designed to be used in conjunction with the BirdFacts species pages.Download PDF
27.03.24
Reports BirdTrends
Synchronous timing of return to breeding sites in a long-distance migratory seabird with ocean-scale variation in migration schedules
Author: van Bemmelen, R., Moe, B., Schekkerman, H., Hanssen, S.A., Snell, K., Humphreys, L., Mäntylä, E., Hallgrimsson, G.T., Gilg, O., Ehrich, D., Calladine, J., Hammer, S., Harris, S., Lang, J., Vignisson, S., Kolbeinsson, Y., Kimmo, N., Sillanpää, M., Sittler, B., Sokolov, A., Klaassen, R., Phillips, R. & Tulp, I.
Published: 2024
22.03.24
Papers
Recurrence, fidelity and proximity to previously visited sites throughout the annual cycle in a trans-Saharan migrant, the Common Cuckoo
Author: Bonaldi, C., Vardanis, Y., Willemoes, M., Hewson, C.M., Atkinson, P.W., Nilsson, J-Å., Klaassen, R.H.G., Strandberg, R., Tøttrup, A.P., Howey, P.W., Alerstam, T. & Thorup, K.
Published: 2024
Satellite-tracked male Cuckoos show higher fidelity to sites used during the breeding season than to sites used at other times of the year.
20.03.24
Papers
