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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Global assessment of marine plastic exposure risk for oceanic birds
Author: Clark, B.L. et al.
Published: 2023
04.07.23
Papers

Seeing the wood for the trees, irregular silviculture supports bat populations in conifer plantations
Author: Cook, P., Alder, D., Hordley, L., Newson, S.E. & Pengelly, D.
Published: 2023
Some woodland management practices may improve structural diversity and benefit bats and other species, but our understanding of responses to alternative woodland management techniques remains limited. This paper addresses this knowledge gap for bats.
28.06.23
Papers

Spring arrival of the Common Cuckoo at breeding grounds is strongly determined by environmental conditions in tropical Africa
Author: Davies, J.G., Kirkland, M., Miller, M.G.R., Pearce-Higgins, J.W., Atkinson, P.W. & Hewson, C.M.
Published: 2023
The average spring arrival dates of many summer migrants have advanced over recent decades, but the Cuckoo is one of several species in which this has not happened. The long-term decline in UK Cuckoo populations, together with the link between a changing climate and changing spring arrival dates more generally, raises the question as to why there has been such a limited shift in Cuckoo arrival times. This study sets out to address this question.
21.06.23
Papers

The phenology and clutch size of UK Blue Tits does not differ with woodland composition
Author: Branston, C.J., Whittingham, M.J., Phillimore, A.B., Leech, D. & Willis, S.G.
Published: 2023
17.06.23
Papers

Changes in breeding wader populations of the Uist machair and adjacent habitats between 1983 and 2022
Author: Calladine, J., Fuller, R., Hodkinson, D., Franks, S. & Boyle, J.
Published: 2023
Periodic surveys of machair and associated habitats on the west coast of North Uist, Benbecula and South Uist have documented marked changes in the composition of an important breeding wader assemblage. Within the study area of there was a 25% decline in the total number of breeding waders recorded between 1983 and 2022.
15.06.23
Papers
