Introduction to the Breeding Bird Survey

The BTO/JNCC/RSPB Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) is a national project aimed at keeping track of changes in the breeding populations of widespread bird species in the UK. The BBS involves over 1,700 participants who now survey more than 2000 sites across the UK, enabling us to monitor the population changes of over 100 bird species. Knowing to what extent bird populations are increasing or decreasing is fundamental to bird conservation.

The survey is designed to be a quick, simple and, most importantly, an enjoyable birdwatching exercise. Survey sites are randomly selected 1x1-kilometre (km) squares of the National Grid. Observers make just three visits to specially selected squares, the first to record habitat types and to set up a suitable survey route, and the second and third to record birds that are seen or heard while walking along the route.

The status of wild bird populations is an important indicator of the health of the countryside that has received much greater interest from the Government and wider public in recent years. In 1994, after two years pilot work, the BBS was launched, with the aim of improving the geographical scope of UK bird monitoring by including all habitats and, therefore, more species of breeding birds. BBS results are being increasingly used to set conservation priorities by Governments and non-Governmental organisations.

In addition to the UK, population trends are generated for four countries (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) and nine English Government Office Regions (North West, North East, Yorkshire & the Humber, East Midlands, East of England, West Midlands, South East, South West and London).

The BBS is organised by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), and jointly funded by the BTO, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC is the statutory adviser to Government on UK and international nature conservation, on behalf of the Council for Nature Conservation and the Countryside, the Countryside Council for Wales, Natural England and Scottish Natural Heritage) and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).

BTO Home | JNCC Home | RSPB Home
The Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) monitors terrestrial birds throughout the UK to
provide information that underpins the conservation of species and habitats.
The BBS is organised by the BTO on behalf of BTO, JNCC and RSPB
Email: bbs@bto.org
Last updated 31 July, 2007

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