The conservation of Afro-Palaearctic migrants: what we are learning and what we need to know

The populations of many migrant birds have been in decline for decades, prompting research to understand the nature of these declines so that they can be addressed. The highly complex annual cycles of migrant birds, with their long migration routes and a dependence on different sites at different times of the year, makes it very difficult to identify the drivers of decline and to implement conservation action. While our knowledge is still incomplete, can we afford to wait until we have all of the answers?

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BirdTrends 2022

The BirdTrends 2022 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.

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Collation of a century of soil invertebrate abundance data suggests long-term declines in earthworms but not tipulids

This study identifies what could be a previously undetected biodiversity decline that potentially represents a significant conservation and economic issue in the UK.

A review of the impacts of air pollution on terrestrial birds

A review paper by BTO considers 203 studies of the effects of air pollution on 231 bird species. Of these studies, 82% document at least one negative effect associated with increasing levels of pollution. The review also highlights biases towards particular study species, especially Great Tit and Pied Flycatcher, and also towards particular geographical regions (Western Europe) and pollutants (heavy metals). The paper proposes research approaches that could help to provide a fuller understanding of how birds are impacted by air pollution.

Using species-habitat models to predict bird counts from urban development plans

BTO research explores how best to integrate bird biodiversity within planned urban developments.

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