Predicting the likely impact of urbanisation on bat populations using citizen science data, a case study for Norfolk, UK

Urbanisation is one of the fastest growing forms of land use globally and one of the largest human impacts on the planet. Urban development is a severe and increasing threat to native biodiversity. However, in Britain, there is also demand for new housing and therefore new homes are being built.

Informing best practice for mitigation and enhancement measures for Barn Owls

Using the BTO’s ring-recovery database we have been able to analyse dispersal movements, with the aim of providing insight into Barn Owl movements in the UK. The results of this work suggest that new, high-quality habitat aimed at mitigating negative effects of HS2 on Barn Owls should be located between 3 km and 15 km away from the railway route, depending on the importance placed on minimising juvenile, as opposed to adult, mortality.

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Migratory pathways, stopover zones and wintering destinations of Western European Nightjars Caprimulgus europaeus

New research involving the BTO has revealed important information about the migration routes and wintering grounds of Nightjar, a species of conservation concern in the UK. Up until very recently our knowledge of Nightjar wintering areas in Africa was almost entirely based on visual observations and just two recoveries from all European ringing activities. Our knowledge of migration was slightly better thanks to the moderate number of ringing recoveries, but these only cover within Europe and a few sites in North Africa. New tracking technology is now vastly improving our understanding of Nightjars' movements, with implications for this species' conservation.

Beyond birds: working across other taxa

One of the great strengths of the BTO is its volunteer networks, and the organisation’s expertise in working with and supporting volunteers delivers valuable monitoring outputs across a broad range of taxa, from deer and butterflies through to bats and bush-crickets. Many of those interested in birds and birdwatching are also interested in other wildlife, and the BTO recognises the contribution that its volunteers can make to our knowledge of habitats and wildlife.This note outlines recent BTO research, monitoring and partnership working involving other taxa.

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Providing Data for Rapid Condition Assessment of Non-Breeding Waterbird SPAs in England: Phase II

This report explores means by which a standardised trend analysis of data from the Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) can aid rapid assessment of condition for non-breeding waterbird SPAs in England.For supporting material please contact Natural England.

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