History

History, governance and offices

In the 1930’s Max Nicholson recognised the potential of co-operative birdwatching to inform conservation, and in 1933 he and others founded the British Trust for Ornithology, originally in Oxford. Early surveys of Rooks and Herons paved the way for the huge variety of projects now underway, but it was the first Atlas of Breeding Birds in Britain & Ireland in 1968-72 that set the standard for what was to come.

Having spent some years based in Hertfordshire, the BTO now has its home at a beautifully converted Nunnery in Thetford, Norfolk. We also have offices in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. We are now on our fourth complete stock-take of Britain and Ireland’s birds, with Bird Atlas 2007-11 underway.

The BTO is a not-for-profit Trust, governed on behalf of members by a Council. The Trust is registered in England & Wales as a charity (no. 216652), in Scotland as a charity (no. SC039193) and as a limited company in England & Wales (no. 357284). For the up to date Council Report and BTO accounts please click here.