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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Watching Out for Waders: The Working for Waders Nest Camera Project
Author: Noyes, P., Laurie, P., Wetherhill, A. & Wilson, M.
Published: 2024
This report presents the results of a trial involving the use of trail cameras by land managers and other wader conservation stakeholders to monitor the outcome of wader nesting attempts. It presents the results of the trial and assesses the potential for the project to improve wader conservation knowledge and management.
04.10.24
Reports Research reports
Annual Report & Accounts 2023/24
Author: BTO
Published: 2024
At a glance:During 2023—24 there were almost 9,000 downloads of BTO data from NBN Atlas, cumulatively totalling over 400 million records, and used for education, research and commercial purposes.Volunteers contributed 2,102,943 hours to our work in 2023, an increase of 7% compared with 2022 and the equivalent of 1,292 staff years and £42.6 million, an incredible contribution and powerful resourceThe 2024 Youth Summit, a collaboration between BTO’s Youth Advisory Panel, RSPB’s Youth Council, and WWF-UK’s Youth Ambassadors, empowered and inspired young people and organisations to do more.Thanks to our members, funders and supporters, £6.2 million was spent during the year carrying out, supporting and communicating our ornithological research and delivering engagement.During 2023—24, we received just over £2 million through gifts in Wills, something for which we are phenomenally grateful.Some 8,890 BTO volunteers have contributed to the BTO/JNCC/RSPB Breeding Bird Survey, which celebrated 30 years of survey visits in 2024 and now covers nearly 4,000 sites annually.
30.09.24
Reports Annual Report
The status of the UK’s breeding seabirds
Author: Stanbury, A.J., Burns, F., Aebischer, N.J., Baker, H., Balmer, D., Brown, A.F., Dunn, T., Lindley, P., Murphy, M., Noble, D.G., Owens, R. & Quinn, L.
Published: 2024
Five seabird species are added to the Birds of Conservation Concern Red List in this addendum to the 2021 update, bringing the total number of Red-listed seabird species to 10, up from six since seabirds were last assessed. The Amber List of seabirds moves from 19 to 14 species, and the Green List increases from one to two species.
29.09.24
Papers
New insights into the migration and wintering areas of Scottish-breeding Arctic Skuas
Author: O’Hanlon, N.J., van Bemmelen, R.S.A., Conway, G.J., Thaxter, C.B., Aiton, H., Aiton, D., Balmer, D.E., Calladine, J.R., Harris, S.J. & Humphreys, E.M.
Published: 2024
Research by BTO Scotland unveils the migration routes and wintering grounds of one of the Arctic Skua, one the UK’s rarest and most endangered seabirds.
29.09.24
Papers
Estimating the distribution of reed Phragmites australis in Britain demonstrates challenges of remotely sensing rare habitat types at large spatial scales
Author: Davies, J.G., Dytham, C., Robinson, R.A. & Beale, C.M.
Published: 2024
One of the primary determinants of bird distribution is habitat. So having a good understanding of which habitats are where, how good their quality is, and how their extent is changing over time are important first steps in devising conservation plans.
27.09.24
Papers
