BTO create and publish a variety of important articles, papers, journals and other publications, independently and with our partners, for organisations, government and the private sector. Some of our publications (books, guides and atlases) are also available to buy in our online shop.
Annual report of the Seabird Monitoring Programme
Seabird Population Trends and Causes of Change: 1986–2023
This report presents the latest seabird population trends in breeding abundance and productivity using data from the Seabird Monitoring Programme (SMP).
The report documents changes in the abundance and productivity of breeding seabird species in Britain and Ireland from 1986 to 2023, and provides a detailed account of the 2021, 2022 and 2023 breeding seasons.

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Northern Ireland Seabird Report 2024
Author: El Haddad, H. & Upton, A.J.
Published: 2025
This report includes detailed information about the population trends and breeding success of seabirds in Northern Ireland, over the 2024 breeding season. Monitoring reports for Strangford Lough and the Outer Ards are included, as well as several additional contributor articles.
27.03.25
Reports Northern Ireland Seabird Report

Assessment of recent Hen Harrier population trends in England through population modelling
Author: Macgregor, C.J., Pearce-Higgins, J.W., Siriwardena, G.M., Wilson, M.W. & Robinson, R.A.
Published: 2025
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.
14.03.25
Reports Research reports

Post-fledging movements in an elusive raptor, the Eurasian Goshawk Accipiter gentilis: scale of dispersal, foraging range and habitat interactions in lowland England
Author: Henderson, I., Barton, M., Field, A., Husbands, R., Jones, G., Armour-Chelu, N. & Conway, G.J
Published: 2025
GPS tracking of young Goshawks in lowland England reveals the movements and habitat use of this species, how these characteristics differ between the sexes, and how they change over the birds’ early lives.
14.03.25
Papers

Bat distribution and activity in the Skell Valley catchment, 2024 Report
Author: Newson, S.E. & Crisp, G.
Published: 2025
This report presents the main findings from survey work delivered using passive acoustic monitoring devices deployed across the Skell Valley catchment. Through the surveys that we support we aim to improve knowledge and understanding of species distribution and activity, covering a range of taxonomic groups, including birds, bats, small terrestrial mammals and insects. Through the approach we provide robust datasets that can be used to inform better decision-making processes.
07.03.25
Reports Research reports

The proportion of common pheasants shot using lead shotgun ammunition in Britain has barely changed over five years of voluntary efforts to switch from lead to non-lead ammunition
Author: Green, R.E., Taggart, M.A., Pain, D.J., Clark, N.A., Cromie, R., Dodd, S.G., Elliot, B., Green, R.M.W., Greenwood, L., Huntley, B., Leslie, R., Porter, R., Price, M., Roberts, J., Robinson, R.A., Smith, K.W., Smith, L., Spencer, J., David Stroud, D. & Thompson, T.
Published: 2025
A full voluntary transition from lead to non-lead shotgun ammunition by 2025 only resulted in a slight, non-significant downward trend in the proportion of Pheasants killed using lead shot over the five-year transition period.
06.03.25
Papers
